Meet The Teachers

Upper Elementary Teacher/Administrator

Shannon Hampson

Shannon attended Medford Montessori School from preschool through third grade and is a member of the school’s first graduating class! After graduating from MMS, Shannon spent many weekends and summers at the school aiding teachers, preparing materials, and helping her parents; owners Barbara and Scott Sheaffer.

In 1994, Shannon earned a B.S. in Psychology and Business at the University of Oregon. After graduating, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Oregon University. She holds an English Language Learner Endorsement and is National Board Certified. This year marks her 28th year teaching. To date, she has taught grades K-2 and 4-6. She feels fortunate to come to a classroom each day that is full of curiosity, learning, and happiness.

Shannon enjoys reading, going for long walks, and spending time with her family and friends.  

Upper Elementary Teacher

Jami

Jami was born and raised in Southern Oregon. She attended Western Oregon University, where
she earned her degree in Elementary Education. After graduation, Jami returned to Southern
Oregon to be close to her family and the natural beauty of the region.
She began her career in public education and joined the MMS community in 2006. Jami is
passionate about fostering a rich and engaging learning environment that supports each child’s
individual learning style. She takes pride in discovering what motivates and inspires her
students, recognizing that every child is unique with distinct needs and interests. Her goal is to
guide each student on their path to becoming a confident, lifelong learner.

Lower Elementary Teacher

Rainy Tilton

Rainyday started preschool at MMS in 1979 and graduated in 1985. She found her passion
working in a small island Montessori program while attending massage school on Kauai. After
getting her massage license, she began her Montessori certification. When her son turned three
in 2001, it was time to move back home to Oregon, so he could attend MMS. She started
working at school that same year and went on to complete both her Primary and Lower
Elementary certifications from NAMC. She is beyond grateful to have her most memorable
teachers as her mentors, getting to be one of her son’s teachers for four years and getting to
work side by side with both her sister and her niece. Rainy has been teaching in Lower
Elementary since 2003.

Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

Sofia

My name is Sofia Wells and I’ve been a part of the Medford Montessori family since I was 5 years old. (I am a proud MMS grad.) My mother and my auntie are both Montessori educators. You could say I followed in their footsteps.

I was born in Hawaii, grew up in Southern Oregon, and spent some time living in Guanajuato, Mexico. I started working/teaching at MMS when I was 17 years old and I am now 28. I spent a couple years in Santa Cruz teaching in the Soquel mountains and then I made my way back to MMS. I am a certified Montessori educator because I fully believe in this approach to teaching and learning.

Lower Elementary Teacher

Stefanie Fleck

Stefanie started her formal schooling at a Montessori school in Kansas City, Missouri at 2 years old and continued through 6th grade. That experience has shaped her as a learner and person and has influenced more decisions than she likely realizes.
She has BAs in Psychology and Human Development and a Master's in Elementary Education. She has worked in an array of teaching environments from preschool to adult.
Stefanie has been at MMS since 2017. Helping children grow, feel pride in their work, and expand their (and her) world is what Stefanie finds most fun about working with children. 

Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

Hina

Konnichiwa! My name is Hina. I grew up in Japan, and I came to the United States after graduating from college. I have two children, and I love doing pottery, walking in nature and I love to cook and spend time with my friends and family.

Kindergarten Teacher

Rachel Latvala

My name is Rachel Latvala. I am the Lead Kindergarten Teacher, and Medford Montessori is my “Home Away From Home”. My mother, Jana, was the director of the Preschool program for 46 years and I attended MMS from Preschool through 3rd grade. In 1997, I joined the school staff as a full time teacher in Preschool after receiving my Montessori Certification for the Primary Program through the North American Montessori Association. Following my time in preschool, I spent three years teaching in our Lower Elementary program. And in 2018, I settled into my ideal position when I had the honor of taking over as Lead Teacher in the Kindergarten program when my own Kindergarten teacher (and co-owner of MMS), Barbara Sheaffer retired.

I am very passionate about teaching, the development of the young mind and utilizing the Montessori Method in my classroom.

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Rose

My name is Rose Bowen, I have been teaching at MMS since 2010. One of my first childhood memories was preschool at a Montessori school in Sun Valley, Idaho. I knew at an early age that I wanted to work with children. I graduated from Cal State University San Marcos in 2000 and moved back to Southern Oregon. I also have my Montessori Certification from NAMA. I love teaching Kindergarten at Medford Montessori School!

Preschool Teacher

Tina Hoag

My name is Tina, and I am the Lead Preschool Teacher at Medford Montessori, I have been fortunate enough to work with young learners for six years here at Medford Montessori School. I am Montessori trained, and I am dedicated to teaching and guiding each of my students as they learn to navigate social connections, friendships, and more with respect and care.  My goal is to help students develop a lifelong love of learning and a joy for coming to school each day. By using core Montessori principles, I encourage independence, curiosity, and confidence in my classroom. I truly enjoy creating an environment my students grow and thrive in.

I am originally from Glendale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, and I have chosen to make my home here in beautiful Southern Oregon because of its seasons, climate, natural beauty, and strong sense of community. I am a proud mother whose daughter currently attends Medford Montessori, and is in the upper elementary program, I am also happily engaged. Our family also has three cats, Brigitte, Opi, and Poppy. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and adventuring in nature of all kinds.

Preschool Assistant Teacher

Tanya

Hi, I'm Tanya! This is my 4th year with Medford Montessori School. I enjoy acting as a guide to each student by fostering independence, problem solving and exploration. I help navigate challenges with respect and encouragement.

Willows Director

Eden Madison

Eden Madison—known affectionately as “EE” by the students—brings creativity and enthusiasm to her role as Willows Director at Medford Montessori. Now in her fifth year at the school and second year leading the Willows program, she is passionate about fostering a love of music, movement, and hands-on creativity in her students.

A trained singer and dancer, Eden adores the way music and performance bring people together. Beyond the arts, she has a lifelong love of crafts, including sewing, painting, and just about any creative project—her home is always stocked with supplies for the next endeavor. Her goal this year is to spark new ways for students to explore and express their creativity.

Eden attended Southern Oregon University and continues to draw inspiration from both her academic and artistic experiences. Outside the classroom, she enjoys ocean life, musical theatre, gaming, and 3D modeling.

Willows Assistant Teacher

Sandee Ferguson

Sandee Ferguson is beginning her second year at Medford Montessori and is thrilled to be part of the Willows program as a mother-daughter team with Eden. She brings with her decades of professional experience, having worked as an Escrow Officer in the San Francisco area for 35 years before moving to Oregon to be closer to her family.

Sandee has always shared in Eden’s love of theatre, often costuming shows throughout her daughter’s childhood. She has a lifelong passion for sewing and costuming, along with a love for crafting and DIY projects of all kinds. She is excited to share her skills and creativity with the students this year.

Sandee graduated from Bauder College in Sacramento, California. In her free time, she enjoys watching old, classic movies, finding joy in anything sparkly, and spending time with her beloved dog, Louis.

Music Teacher

Amanda

Amanda Gerig discovered her life's calling to music as a 6-year-old when she saw her first live musical, Sondheim's "Into the Woods." She has been singing ever since! This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree at Oregon State University where she studied Vocal Performance. Upon graduating, Amanda married her best friend Zach and they moved to Seattle where she was a member of the Seattle Symphony Chorale. In 2010, they came to the Rogue Valley to begin a family and stretch out a bit, establishing a 3-acre hobby farm and raising kids, the goat kind and the human kind!

Amanda loves living in Southern Oregon for its many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, as well as the thriving arts community. She has been singing with the Southern Oregon Reparatory Singers for 15 years now and has also performed with Camelot Theatre, Brava! Opera, and Rogue Opera. Amanda has experience teaching private voice and piano lessons and also taught music at Madrone Trail Public Charter School for a handful of years. She is now so grateful to be joining the community at Medford Montessori School and wants to thank everyone for the warm welcome!