Administration
Christen Kelly
Administrator
Gwen Hill
Office Manager
Kelly Hutchinson
Operations Manager
Guides
“In Montessori education, the role of the instructor is to direct or guide individual children to purposeful activity based upon the instructor’s observation of each child’s readiness. The child develops his own knowledge through hands-on learning with didactic materials he chooses.” -American Montessori Society
Megan Rosevear
Kindergarten – Doves Class
Teaching was something that Megan always knew she wanted to do. Helping to create a safe, fun, environment where children can get excited to learn was and is a goal of hers. While attending college Megan spent her summers working at an overnight camp. Working there only confirmed her want to work with children.
In 2002 Megan first discovered Montessori when she became an assistant at a Montessori school. It was there that she discovered her love for the Montessori method. After spending many years in the primary classroom as an assistant, she decided to pursue her primary AMI Montessori Diploma which she received in 2017. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Western Oregon University.
Megan grew up in Salem/Keizer and has always enjoyed the area. After living in Bend for the past 5 years Megan has decided to return to the Willamette Valley. One of her passions is playing handbells. She has been playing the handbells for more than 20 years. Megan also enjoys working backstage at various community theaters. During the summer she enjoys camping with her family in Idaho.
Megan is excited to continue her love of working with children as well as being a part of the Montessori community at Community Roots School.
Hilary Conroy
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) – Owls Class
Hilary always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Just ask her three younger sisters, they were her first students! After receiving her teaching credential in Illinois, Hilary moved back to the West Coast. She taught for five years in Fairfield, California, and then moved North to teach for the next six years in Siskiyou County.
During this time she continued her love of coaching, taught many new grades, and enjoyed working with her mom at the elementary school she attended as a child! These years gave Hilary a solid foundation and allowed her to leap into her newest professional adventure: She earned her Masters in Experiential Education and finished her Montessori teacher training.
Working at a public Montessori school was a priority for Hilary. She knew she wanted to live and work in a community where this incredible philosophy was offered to all — a mission she could embrace. After learning about CRS, Hilary knew this was where she wanted to work. She began teaching in her new “home” in 2012.
Michelle Bryntesen
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) – Hummingbirds Class
Michelle is originally from Florida but her roots have always been in the Northwest. After graduation from high school, she attended the University of Idaho, earning her Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources. After working at a nursery growing trees, she felt as though there was something missing. So, she decided to start working at a childcare center, which she eventually became the preschool teacher at. It was then that Michelle decided she needed a change!
After moving to Oregon in 2015, Michelle found Community Roots School. It is here where Michelle really fell in love with the Montessori Method. She was the Hummingbird assistant for two years, as well as an assistant in the Upper Elementary room for one year. During her time as an assistant in both Lower and Upper Elementary rooms, she knew she needed to become a certified teacher. Michelle found that with George Fox, graduating in April of 2019. She is currently attending the Center for Guided Montessori Studies for her Montessori credentials.
Michelle believes her purpose is to create a safe place for children to be themselves and to learn freely. She enjoys anything having to do with her dog Bailey, hiking, camping, crafting, and eating!
Ginnie Vigansky
Upper Elementary Lead Guide (Grades 4-6)
Ginnie obtained her bachelor’s degree in art/Photography from the University of Oregon in 2010 and finished her primary AMS Montessori training in 2011. Her experience includes working in a Children’s House for three years; two years as a guide. A desire to work with elementary children led Ginnie to begin her AMI Elementary training, in conjunction with a Masters in Montessori Education.
She served as the lead elementary guide for three years at an independent school in Corvallis. After accepting the position at Community Roots she moved to NE Salem with her husband. She enjoys photography, hiking, camping, gardening, cooking and several styles of partner dancing. When given the opportunity she also enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures.
Jessica Saunders
Upper Elementary Lead Guide (Grades 4-6)
Jess grew up in the Santiam Canyon and recently moved back after spending the last 15 years in Portland. She attended Portland State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Science with a Minor in Education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Montessori Education. Jess has always had a passion for education with a focus on the natural world. She started working at CRS last year as an assistant in the LRC and fell in love with the teachings of Maria Montessori and is currently working in a float position while she finishes her degree.
Her goal is to create a child centered learning environment that fosters creativity, knowing that children are inherently curious, intelligent, playful and capable of self-directed study. She is passionate at guiding children to discover their own capabilities and realize their full potential. Some of Jess’s hobbies include hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, gardening, cooking, jewelry making, and she has recently been teaching herself how to sew.
Christine West
Special Education
Support Staff & Specialists
Lindsey Davis
Kindergarten Assistant – Doves Class
Joseph Therkelsen
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) Assistant- Owls Classroom
Hello, my name is Joseph Therkelsen, and I am an employee at Community Roots. I work as an assistant to Hilary in the Owl classroom.
CRS has been my home for the past two-and-a-half years, and one of the things I’ve noticed and appreciated is the overwhelming sense of family, love and acceptance; this is something I have rarely found in a work environment. I really fell in love with the teaching styles of Montessori, as there are always new opportunities to learn, whether you are in the classroom or outside in the garden working with plants and fellow classmates. It’s something I am really grateful to be part of.
When I’m not at work you can find me pursuing some of my personal interests. Listening to music, especially from the 60’s and 70’s (no disco!), is something I really enjoy. I love to draw, mostly with pencil and pen; this brings calm and relaxation to me. I’m a big sports fan, especially when it comes to basketball. I love to play it, watch it, and keep up with what’s going on with the NBA teams and players.
Being part of a community of teachers and staff who show up every day on behalf of the amazing kids at Community Roots brings real fulfillment to me. It’s a place where I look forward to continuing to learn, grow, and give.
Marian Hill
Tier 2 Support Specialist
My educational background is a BA from Portland State University in Psychology and a MSc at University of Glasgow, in Scotland. My hobbies include hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family, and swimming. It is my goal to one day speak another language semi-fluently!
Casle Portner
Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6) Assistant
Educator/Librarian/Kayaker
I was born to find joy in reading books and sharing them.
I was born to paddle boats on the water and share the joy found there.
I believe that children are the most important humans.
I love Rain – Cats – Crab – Chocolate – Oregon – and the Ocean.
Alyssa Burge
Garden Specialist
Alyssa Burge is the Outdoor Classroom teacher at CRS for K-6 students, and works with the 7th-8th graders in community food systems projects. After getting a BA in English, she became interested in organic farming, which led her to Silverton to work as a market gardener, and eventually as a Farm Manager and Educational Coordinator with GeerCrest Farm. Her love of working with young people led her to Community Roots in 2014, where she worked as an assistant teacher for two years before starting the Outdoor Classroom.
The Outdoor Classroom includes a large schoolyard vegetable and herb garden, a native plant and pollinator garden, a greenhouse, chickens, ducks, woodworking and art stations, and an emphasis on hands-on community building. Students are involved in every step of growing food, cooking, using tools, and caring for the people, animals, and land around them. Students study ecology, soil biology, nutrition, biodiversity, life cycles, food webs, and how to make this killer salad dressing:
- I part olive oil
- 1 part red wine vinegar
- More honey than you think
- Salt and pepper to taste
- And if you dare, raw garlic. Be bold, it’s the secret ingredient
- Shake until combined!
Alyssa also teaches the Our Whole Lives curriculum for K-8 sexuality education. She has been trained in facilitating every grade level with age-appropriate, straight forward, and inclusive information to help students make safe choices for themselves as they grow. She can say the names of all body parts without laughing.
Sam Kirkpatrick
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3) Assistant- Hummingbirds Classroom
Have More Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your interest in our school. We hope to see you soon!
Non Discrimination Notice
The Community Roots School prohibits discrimination and harassment on any basis protected by law, including but not limited to, an individual’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, veterans’ status, or because of the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, veterans’ status of any other persons with whom the individual associates.
Title IX
Students or families who believe they have been discriminated against or harassed based on any of the characteristics listed above may file a complaint with our Title IX Coordinator who has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.
Our Title IX Coordinator, Christen Kelly can be reached via email at kelly_christen@silverfalls.k12.or.us or by phone (503) 874-4107.