Board of directors

 Jeff was born in Colorado and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. He received a degree in Architectural Technology in Iowa and then went to CU Boulder for environmental design to continue his education. Construction and Design have always been his passions. He currently works for R.S. Bigelow as a Lead Foreman and will start his own company in the spring. His family moved to Silver City in June of 2017 and they see a lifelong commitment to this community. GMS has impressed Jeff with the overwhelming amount of personal care and attention each student, staff member, parent and family receives, and puts into this gem of a school. He plans to bring his experience in construction and building to support GMS through facilities changes and improvements in the years to come. 

Shanna is a native of Silver City who started at the Guadalupe Montessori School in 2005 as an assistant in the Toddler classroom. Eventually completing her AMI training in Assistance to Infancy (Birth-3 years), Shanna was the lead guide in the GMS Toddler class until the end of the 2017-18 school year, when she left GMS to pursue a nursing degree at WNMU. Shanna's two younger children attend GMS, and she brings a wealth of relevant experience to the board of directors. In her spare time, Shanna enjoys knitting, camping, and making jewelry.

Amanda was born and raised in New York City, attended Smith College  in Massachusetts and earned a Master's degree in communication  (journalism) from Stanford University in California. She has worked as a  journalist, editor and public relations professional since 2000 in New  York, Costa Rica and California before moving to New Mexico in 2008. She  works remotely for Presbyterian Healthcare Services as a Corporate  Communication Manager and teaches media writing as an adjunct instructor  at Western New Mexico University.

Amanda moved to  Silver City with her husband and two children in 2017, both of whom  attend Guadalupe Montessori School. Amanda attended a Montessori school  until kindergarten and is an advocate for the lifelong benefits of a  Montessori education. She enjoys reading, dancing, yoga, attending  cultural events and exploring the outdoors. 

Jennifer Olson attended Guadalupe Montessori School from toddlerhood through 5th grade and recognizes the role the school played in her rich childhood and her lifelong love of learning. Now she can see firsthand how her child is thriving at GMS and wants to ensure that experience is available for Grant County’s current and future generations. A trained journalist and active freelance travel and outdoor writer, Jennifer handles public relations for and manages the social media footprint of Western New Mexico University. And to GMS, she brings a fourth-generation Grant County local’s perspective of this community, board experience, and a passion for the Montessori values of curiosity, compassion, and independence, which foster creativity, peace and empowerment.