2021-2022 Board of Directors
Current Term: 2021-2023
Susan Smith, President
I grew up in Downers Grove, IL, a suburb of Chicago, and graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in Media, Marketing and Management in the radio and television department with a minor in creative writing. My daughter is Addison (7) and she is currently in Horsetail where she loves her teachers and especially the nature trail. I have been married almost 10 years and met my husband Phil shortly before I graduated from college and followed him to Washington where he works at Microsoft. We have lived in Sammamish for the last 6 years and I love our neighborhood. I am a licensed massage therapist in Washington and have run my own private practice, The Massage Smith, from my home for the last 8 years. I am also lucky enough to be able to manage this practice during the hours my daughter is attending school. I love coffee and in my spare time camp, hike, sing some awesome karaoke and just started paddle boarding. Our family enjoys movies, reading and sometimes the occasional family game night. We love MCH and enjoy watching our daughter l thrive here and look forward to connecting with other families while helping to further serve our school community.
I grew up in Downers Grove, IL, a suburb of Chicago, and graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in Media, Marketing and Management in the radio and television department with a minor in creative writing. My daughter is Addison (7) and she is currently in Horsetail where she loves her teachers and especially the nature trail. I have been married almost 10 years and met my husband Phil shortly before I graduated from college and followed him to Washington where he works at Microsoft. We have lived in Sammamish for the last 6 years and I love our neighborhood. I am a licensed massage therapist in Washington and have run my own private practice, The Massage Smith, from my home for the last 8 years. I am also lucky enough to be able to manage this practice during the hours my daughter is attending school. I love coffee and in my spare time camp, hike, sing some awesome karaoke and just started paddle boarding. Our family enjoys movies, reading and sometimes the occasional family game night. We love MCH and enjoy watching our daughter l thrive here and look forward to connecting with other families while helping to further serve our school community.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Jackie Reeve, Vice President
I'm a NJ native (my husband Adam is from England), and we just moved to Washington last summer. I have a Masters in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute, and I was a children's librarian for about 8 years (briefly in public libraries, but mainly in elementary schools). I made a career change a few years ago, and now I work from home full time as a journalist; I'm a sleep writer for Wirecutter, the product review site at The New York Times. I'm a quilt designer as well, and we're starting to raise our first (small) animals at our farmhouse in Fall City. We moved from the Jersey Shore, so this is quite a change for us! My daughter Hannah (7) is finishing her first year in Morado, but this is her 6th year in a Montessori classroom. She went through the toddler and EC programs at an AMI Montessori in NJ, and we have really loved the change, and feel that MCH has been incredible for her confidence and development. I can't wait to get more involved, and hopefully bring my literacy and communications experience to school.
I'm a NJ native (my husband Adam is from England), and we just moved to Washington last summer. I have a Masters in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute, and I was a children's librarian for about 8 years (briefly in public libraries, but mainly in elementary schools). I made a career change a few years ago, and now I work from home full time as a journalist; I'm a sleep writer for Wirecutter, the product review site at The New York Times. I'm a quilt designer as well, and we're starting to raise our first (small) animals at our farmhouse in Fall City. We moved from the Jersey Shore, so this is quite a change for us! My daughter Hannah (7) is finishing her first year in Morado, but this is her 6th year in a Montessori classroom. She went through the toddler and EC programs at an AMI Montessori in NJ, and we have really loved the change, and feel that MCH has been incredible for her confidence and development. I can't wait to get more involved, and hopefully bring my literacy and communications experience to school.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Amy Stojsavljevic, Secretary
As a Navy brat, I moved around a bit as a child but grew up primarily in Florida. I have a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Marketing from Emerson College in Boston. Since graduating, I’ve lived primarily on the West Coast, working in various public relations roles, before transitioning to work as a freelance voice actor a little more than a decade ago. My husband, daughter, and I moved to the Seattle area two years ago, and we enjoy hiking, boating, and trying different restaurants in the area…which we look forward to doing again later this year. Our daughter, Ava, is three years old, and this is her second year at MCH. She’s currently in Rojo and loves her teachers, classmates, and her work, and talks about them constantly when not in school. My heart is so full with the knowledge that Ava is thriving at MCH, and I want to help the school and the community in any way I can.
As a Navy brat, I moved around a bit as a child but grew up primarily in Florida. I have a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Marketing from Emerson College in Boston. Since graduating, I’ve lived primarily on the West Coast, working in various public relations roles, before transitioning to work as a freelance voice actor a little more than a decade ago. My husband, daughter, and I moved to the Seattle area two years ago, and we enjoy hiking, boating, and trying different restaurants in the area…which we look forward to doing again later this year. Our daughter, Ava, is three years old, and this is her second year at MCH. She’s currently in Rojo and loves her teachers, classmates, and her work, and talks about them constantly when not in school. My heart is so full with the knowledge that Ava is thriving at MCH, and I want to help the school and the community in any way I can.
Current Term: 2021-2022
Jeremy Syme, Treasurer
I grew up on a fruit farm in Fruitland, Idaho (it’s okay to laugh) and eventually found myself getting a Music Education degree from the University of Puget Sound and then a Masters in Communication from WSU--GO COUGS! While working on my masters in 1996, I stumbled into web development and never looked back. I am currently an Engineering Manager at Bluetooth. I love running, yoga, house projects, and making games for my kids that defy expectations. My children are Gavin 13 and Fiona 10. We have been an MCH family since 2010 and based on current calculations will be here until 2025! I have been on the board or been a volunteer since 2012.
I grew up on a fruit farm in Fruitland, Idaho (it’s okay to laugh) and eventually found myself getting a Music Education degree from the University of Puget Sound and then a Masters in Communication from WSU--GO COUGS! While working on my masters in 1996, I stumbled into web development and never looked back. I am currently an Engineering Manager at Bluetooth. I love running, yoga, house projects, and making games for my kids that defy expectations. My children are Gavin 13 and Fiona 10. We have been an MCH family since 2010 and based on current calculations will be here until 2025! I have been on the board or been a volunteer since 2012.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Barri Grossi
I grew up in Dallas, Texas and flew east to attend Smith College in Massachusetts, where I earned a BA in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. After college I moved around - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Seattle, and Singapore. I settled down in Seattle when I met my husband, Chris. He grew up on Mercer Island and we have made Sammamish our home for the past 14 years. I am a working mom with my own business in brand consulting and always chasing the elusive work/life balance. Will is our only child and is currently 11 years old. This is our second time at MCH. We started in the toddler room when Will was 15 months old. After kindergarten we tried a more traditional school setting and found that was not quite right for our 2e kid. So we returned home to MCH this year as Will entered the 5th grade and are so happy to be back! I am so excited to join the MCH community and look forward to meeting new families and growing community connections.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas and flew east to attend Smith College in Massachusetts, where I earned a BA in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. After college I moved around - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Seattle, and Singapore. I settled down in Seattle when I met my husband, Chris. He grew up on Mercer Island and we have made Sammamish our home for the past 14 years. I am a working mom with my own business in brand consulting and always chasing the elusive work/life balance. Will is our only child and is currently 11 years old. This is our second time at MCH. We started in the toddler room when Will was 15 months old. After kindergarten we tried a more traditional school setting and found that was not quite right for our 2e kid. So we returned home to MCH this year as Will entered the 5th grade and are so happy to be back! I am so excited to join the MCH community and look forward to meeting new families and growing community connections.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Heather Sabotta
I grew up in Oregon and attended the Montessori School of Beaverton through Upper Elementary, so I am passionate about the Montessori method. My son Quentin will be starting in the Early Childhood classroom in the fall, and I am very much looking forward to seeing him build his social and emotional skills at MCH and gain a love of self-directed learning. Before Quentin was born, I worked in communications and business operations for Amazon and Microsoft for over 10 years. I love to plan, organize, and execute projects and events, and so I am thrilled to give my time and apply my skills to helping this school continue its success. Outside of school, as a family, we fill our days with traveling, boating, fishing, hiking, cooking, entertaining, gardening and watching movies.
I grew up in Oregon and attended the Montessori School of Beaverton through Upper Elementary, so I am passionate about the Montessori method. My son Quentin will be starting in the Early Childhood classroom in the fall, and I am very much looking forward to seeing him build his social and emotional skills at MCH and gain a love of self-directed learning. Before Quentin was born, I worked in communications and business operations for Amazon and Microsoft for over 10 years. I love to plan, organize, and execute projects and events, and so I am thrilled to give my time and apply my skills to helping this school continue its success. Outside of school, as a family, we fill our days with traveling, boating, fishing, hiking, cooking, entertaining, gardening and watching movies.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Julie Miller
I am a Colorado native who fell in love with the biodiversity here in the Pacific Northwest some 30 years ago. Our surroundings feel magical to this day. I still find myself in awe of the fact that I get to live here! My husband Kyle and I have lived on unceded Duwamish land in and around Sammamish for the past 20 years. Together with our children Ian (14) and Ellery (10, a Turquesa student), we enjoy wandering through forests and camping with our dogs, reading, solving puzzles and tinkering. MCH is Ellery’s first foray into full-time school, and she is absolutely thriving. We feel extremely fortunate to have found MCH and are excited to continue to get to know more families when we can gather safely. It would be my absolute pleasure to support this community by playing an active role in the Parent Association.
Professionally, I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator who holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition (Bastyr University), a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Language (Spanish)/International Business (University of Puget Sound) and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management (UW). I have over 20 years’ experience exploring food and nutrition philosophies with diverse communities throughout the Seattle area. Currently in private practice, I offer experiential workshops and consultations to help adults grow informed, compassionate caregiver-child relationships around food. Together, we explore culturally meaningful ways to raise connected human beings who enjoy food, nurture their human body, care for the Earth, and appreciate the diversity of humanity. Beyond this role, I am an advocate for nature-based learning, cultural competemility and elevating neurological differences. I appreciate movement as medicine, intuitive gardening, listening to podcasts, live music, laughing out loud with friends & family and, much to my children’s dismay, speaking in puns.
I am a Colorado native who fell in love with the biodiversity here in the Pacific Northwest some 30 years ago. Our surroundings feel magical to this day. I still find myself in awe of the fact that I get to live here! My husband Kyle and I have lived on unceded Duwamish land in and around Sammamish for the past 20 years. Together with our children Ian (14) and Ellery (10, a Turquesa student), we enjoy wandering through forests and camping with our dogs, reading, solving puzzles and tinkering. MCH is Ellery’s first foray into full-time school, and she is absolutely thriving. We feel extremely fortunate to have found MCH and are excited to continue to get to know more families when we can gather safely. It would be my absolute pleasure to support this community by playing an active role in the Parent Association.
Professionally, I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator who holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition (Bastyr University), a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Language (Spanish)/International Business (University of Puget Sound) and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management (UW). I have over 20 years’ experience exploring food and nutrition philosophies with diverse communities throughout the Seattle area. Currently in private practice, I offer experiential workshops and consultations to help adults grow informed, compassionate caregiver-child relationships around food. Together, we explore culturally meaningful ways to raise connected human beings who enjoy food, nurture their human body, care for the Earth, and appreciate the diversity of humanity. Beyond this role, I am an advocate for nature-based learning, cultural competemility and elevating neurological differences. I appreciate movement as medicine, intuitive gardening, listening to podcasts, live music, laughing out loud with friends & family and, much to my children’s dismay, speaking in puns.
Current Term: 2021-2023
Taryn Rathbone-Daub
I grew up in small town Connecticut, and completed my formal education on the East Coast. After earning my undergraduate degree from Williams College and my veterinary degree from Cornell University, I spent two years practicing as a horse vet in California. In 2014, I relocated to the Puget Sound area, where I founded my own veterinary practice. I love being my own boss! When I’m not working, I can usually be found outside spending time with my family, running, gardening or tackling a new house project. Our family joined the MCH community in the fall of 2020, and my four-year-old has thrived in the EC program! I look forward to supporting the school and building community in my first year with the Parent Association.
I grew up in small town Connecticut, and completed my formal education on the East Coast. After earning my undergraduate degree from Williams College and my veterinary degree from Cornell University, I spent two years practicing as a horse vet in California. In 2014, I relocated to the Puget Sound area, where I founded my own veterinary practice. I love being my own boss! When I’m not working, I can usually be found outside spending time with my family, running, gardening or tackling a new house project. Our family joined the MCH community in the fall of 2020, and my four-year-old has thrived in the EC program! I look forward to supporting the school and building community in my first year with the Parent Association.