Laura Pilkington joins the OMA staff this month, where she succeeds Jennifer Ryznar in this position serving the member schools and many individuals in the Montessori community of Oregon and beyond. Jennifer will be assisting Laura and OMA on a limited basis during this transition year.
"I am honored to be taking on the responsibilities of the Executive Director of the Oregon Montessori Association," Laura stated. "I plan to continue to foster the relationships among Montessori practitioners and to support the vibrant work of regional schools, parents, and other like-minded child development organizations. I am also keenly interested in the current education policy changes happening regionally and nationally and am actively involved in the newly forming Oregon Montessori Advocacy Committee."
Prior to accepting the position at OMA, Laura worked in administration at SunGarden Montessori Children's House in West Linn and at the Montessori Institute Northwest. In addition to her Montessori experience, she has also worked in non-profit administration at the Portland Baroque Orchestra and AFS - an international student exchange program. A self-professed education junky, Laura holds two master's degrees: one in Music History and one in Education. She also holds an AMI Primary Diploma.
Laura, her husband Patrick, and their daughter, Anna, are members of the Sunstone Montessori community where their daughter attends the Lower Elementary program. Patrick works as a project manager and computer programmer for Aquent. Laura says that her family loves to spend time outdoors with friends and with family, enjoying the good life of the Pacific Northwest.
Laura shares one of her favorite quotes from Maria Montessori, "We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity." Laura says that she "is excited to be a piece of the pie that is actively working to form the whole into unity and am looking forward to connecting with each of you!"
We look forward to working with Laura and having her leadership guide us in meaningful directions.
