Facts
Established: June 2007
Founders: Kathleen Campos, Robert Hale-MacKinnon, Abby Nartker
Vision: To promote Dr. Montessori’s work in the most rural communities, help establish demographic, socio-economic, and geographic connectivity through a full spectrum of programs.
Office Hours: Meetings available by appointment.
biographies
Kathleen A. Campos: Kathleen is a co-founder of Open Montessori Initiative (OMI) and currently serves as the Technical Coordinator. Her background and education is in Electrical Technology, Technical Writing, and Business Management. Kathleen combined her passion for art and history into a scrapbooking business she co-owned and managed while her husband served in the United States Navy. She has experience working as a designer for a paper manufacturer and a product reviewer for a popular internet website. Kathleen dedicates a substantial amount of time to volunteer work and fundraising in her community. She lives in Molalla with her husband and their two children. Mark Sadler: Mark is the organization’s Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors. Prior to working with OMI, Mark advised the Raising Lazarus Foundation in its efforts to establish a secondary school near Arusha Tanzania. He has served 27 years in the non-profit industry and has been the Chief Financial Officer for Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc. Mark shares his extensive experience at management level positions in non-profit organizations and his prior work in bank stewardship humbly and openly. Elizabeth G. Hale: Elizabeth currently serves as the organization’s Pedagogical Advisor. She received her B.A. in Russian Studies at Washington & Lee University, her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute, and her AMI Elementary Diploma from the Center for International Montessori Studies Foundation in Bergamo, Italy.
Robert S. Hale-MacKinnon: Robert is a co-founder of Open Montessori Initiative (OMI) and currently serves as the Executive Director. An artist by training, he received his Bachelors in Studio Art from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, an M.S. in Special Education from Portland State University, and his AMI Elementary Diploma in Bergamo, Italy. He served as a Houseparent at the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Huntsburg, Ohio and also worked at Pumpkin Ridge Gardens, a CSA in North Plains, Oregon. His commitment to an ecologically conscientious lifestyle coincides with his passion for implementing the Montessori Method. Robert also serves on the Board of Directors of The Montessori Colleagues of Bergamo. He lives in Virgina with his wife and their daughter.
Abby J. Nartker: Abby was a co-founder of Open Montessori Initiative (OMI). Abby's background in business comes from running a direct sales Creative Memories business for eight years and also has worked for both the Oregon Department of Revenue and the Southern Oregon University Foundation. Abby's experience with children came from growing up in Southern Oregon with parents who ran a group home child care that she assisted with until the age of 18. She lives in Oregon City with her husband and their two daughters.
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