Meet our Staff!
Sophie Johns
Lead Guide
Sophie began her Montessori journey as a teenager working at Montessori summer camps. It was there she became enthralled with the Montessori method’s empathy and understanding of the whole child. After graduating from Portland State University with a degree in International Development, Sophie began her professional career in politics and an educational non-profit benefitting Afghan girls. When the pandemic began, Sophie realized she wanted to be on the ground with children again and quickly enrolled in the Montessori Northwest and Whitworth University’s Primary Montessori Master’s Program. She started as a Co-teacher where she began as a teen in a Montessori environment in Seattle, Washington.
“I am thrilled to join the Orcas Montessori School Community! I am humbled that I can provide a playful, nurturing, and academic environment for children in such a gorgeous place; I am able to not only educate children for a better tomorrow but also grow myself as the children teach me something new about myself and the world every day.”
In her spare time, Sophie enjoys reading, knitting, and hiking with her husband, Nick, and dog, Yavanna. She is excited to begin learning to kayak on the Salish Sea! Yavanna loves to tag along wherever her humans are, but particularly loves meeting and playing with Sophie’s students.
Robin Freeman
Guide
Robin moved to Orcas Island, with her four children, 36 years ago. Since then, she has raised her children, and been in involved in island activities (Funhouse Board of Directors, starting OASIS, teaching Form-Drawing, 4-H and more). Robin was introduced to Montessori education when her youngest daughter started OMS. Wanting to learn more, she volunteered at OMS doing everything from cleaning the school to becoming a classroom assistant. She also co-founded and taught the OMS summer Spanish and Arts program for 16 years. Currently, Robin is enrolled in Montessori Northwest’s teacher training program, leaving the public school after 15 years to fulfill her dream of becoming a Montessori teacher; she is looking forward to this next chapter!
Before moving to Orcas Island Robin lived at a Buddhist Retreat center in Vermont (and Colorado), had adventures in Europe, homesteaded in SE Ohio, but was born and grew up in New York City. Social justice, nature, family, and education are the main guiding themes her my life, which she brings to OMS!
When not in the classroom Robin will be studying and throwing pinecones for Dolly, the pomeranian, who enjoys children from a distance.
Maggie Vinson
Director
Bio coming soon!
Tom Rubottom
Guide
Tom began working in the Montessori community in 1994, hoping to put his B.A. in psychology from Bowdoin College to good use. After 6 years as an assistant teacher at The Northwest Montessori School, Seattle’s oldest AMI classroom, he received his professional Montessori diploma from the Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in 2000. Since then, he has been a Guide at the Orcas Montessori School.
“While I came to Montessori largely by chance, I have been both inspired and humbled by the experience of seeing Dr. Montessori’s methods ring true with such an incredible diversity of children, and I feel exceptionally lucky to have been able to play a role in bringing her work to an island that offers such energy and support to our program as it evolves and expands.”
When not in the classroom, Tom fills his day gardening, playing a couple of stringed instruments and enjoying time with his wife, Madeline, their son, Finn and the family dog, Captain Mango Lightning, who, sadly, does not seem to care for children at all.
Ursula Pamatian
Food Program Manager/ Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon!