I’m Lora McNamara, and I am honored to be the school’s owner-operator and to serve as the lead guide to our wonderful classroom community.

I have always had a passion for education and consider myself to be a lifelong learner. I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy nearly 20 years ago while pursuing a degree in elementary education, and immediately knew that Montessori was the path I wanted to pursue. I quickly adjusted my studies to focus on human development—a key component of the Montessori education—and a few weeks after earning my bachelor’s degree, I headed to Seattle to start my Montessori journey. 

What I love most about the Montessori pedagogy is that the children are empowered to become independent and confident humans through age-appropriate access to an environment that mirrors many components of our society and daily lives. The Montessori curriculum is carefully designed to reflect the expected childhood development stages, allowing us as educators to better respond to, and interpret, the needs of each child. I work hard to ensure that my classroom is a serene community that focuses on the emotional, social, and behavioral aspects of each child while guiding them academically.

I’m a native to the Pacific Northwest and grew up in Seattle, Washington and West Linn, Oregon. Outside of the classroom, you’ll find me gardening, sewing, camping, discovering new crafts to dabble in, and spending time with family and friends—especially my husband Pat and our Lab mix, Gracie.

I welcome any questions you may have and look forward to meeting you and your family! 

Academic credentials:

BA, Warner Pacific College
Human Development with a focus in Elementary Education

Portland, Oregon

Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest
AMS Primary Certification
Seattle, Washington