Faculty & Staff

Dylan McCrystal

Interim Head of School

With EBM Since 2015

Dylan has been with EBM for 11 years, and his professional career as a teacher is centered here at East Bay Montessori. He holds a BA in Modern Literature (Russian emphasis) from UC Santa Cruz. Dylan has Montessori Lower Elementary training from MTEC, and has been a teacher in EBM's Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary classrooms. He became the EBM Site Director during the pandemic, and accepted the role of Interim Head of School for the 26-27 school year.

When Dylan isn’t at work, he loves spending time with his family, reading, swimming, the desert, and the mountains. His favorite thing is visiting friends on Black Mesa. He has a daughter that has completed the Kindergarten Bridge program at EBM and is continuing in the Lower Elementary classroom.

Aleigha Lindstrom

Upper Elementary Teacher

With EBM since 2025

Aleigha joins EBM with 3 years Montessori teaching experience. She earned a BS in education, with a focus in mathematics instruction from the University of Michigan in 2022. Aleigha also holds an Upper Elementary Montessori teaching credential through WSMS-TEP. Since moving to the Bay Area, she has enjoyed exploring the beautiful wilderness with her husband and relaxing at home with her kittens, Pip and Bell.

Caroline Hamel

Interim Associate Head of School

With EBM Since 2011

Caroline has been with EBM for 15 years and has been working with children for the last 32 years (as early as 9 years old, she was a ballet assistant teacher for preschoolers!). She holds a BA in Linguistics from UC Berkeley and has taken Association Montessori Internationale introductory courses to support our program. Caroline is also certified in Positive Discipline.

Aside from spending time with friends and loved ones, reading, dancing, and riding an electric bicycle, her number one hobby is buying slightly too much produce from all the various unmatched markets of the East Bay… and eating it, of course!

Emily Howard

Upper Elementary Lead Teacher

With EBM Since 2015

Emily holds eighteen years of teaching knowledge and is celebrating her 11th year as a teacher at EBM! She earned her BA in English from Grinnell College and has a Montessori Upper Elementary Credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York.

Emily lives in a consensus-based co-op in Oakland with her family, where she can also be found writing fiction, playing games, and inciting sing-alongs.

Griffin Bertucco

Middle School Assistant Teacher

With EBM Since 2023

Griffin Bertucco graduated from the East Bay Montessori Middle School program in 2015, and has continued teaching and learning in tandem ever since. He volunteered at EBM and tutored students one-on-one through high school, and officially joined the substitute list in 2020 after graduating. He began full-time at EBM as the Afterschool Assistant in 2023 before stepping back into the Middle School classroom in 2024, but keeping one foot on the playground by also teaching KB PE.

Griffin earned a BA in Linguistics from UC Santa Cruz and completed an AMI Adolescent Orientation at the Montessori Centre for Work and Study in Rydet, Sweden.

Heidi De Los Santos

School Operations Coordinator

With EBM Since 2015

Heidi has been involved in the EBM community since 2015 as a teacher, administrator, and parent. She holds a BA in Spanish Language and Literature with a minor in Education from UC Berkeley. Her professional teaching experience was primarily established with her time working at EBM as the Afterschool Director and Spanish teacher for KB through 8th grade. She then expanded her experience by moving into administrative roles for both the Berkeley and El Cerrito Campuses. In 2023, her role within the community shifted to focus on being a parent as she grew her experience in working various facets within the Human Resources department of an affordable housing non-profit. 

When not working, Heidi is truly a homebody but also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, exploring new recipes, and going to live music shows in the area.

Janelle Ledesma

Lower Elementary Lead Teacher

With EBM Since 2023

Janelle is embarking on her 4th year with us at EBM and has 11 years of teaching experience. She earned her BS in Human and Family Development with a minor in Sociology of Education from Arizona State University. Janelle is also AMI certified with an Elementary 6-12 Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego.

Janelle comes from a large family so she spends a lot of time with them in her free time. When she's not with them, she's enjoying CrossFit, hiking, traveling, and trying out new recipes.

Kathleen Flanagan

Middle School Lead Teacher

With EBM Since 2018

Kathleen has been an educator of children for more than 30 years, and has been a part of EBM's faculty for 10 years (a permanent teacher since 2018 and a Substitute Teacher years prior). She earned her BS in Computer Science from CSU Chico and holds a Montessori Secondary I-II credential, a Montessori Elementary I-II credential, a California State Special Education credential, and has completed coursework for a California State Multiple Subjects credential.

When Kathleen is not playing horn with one of several community wind ensembles, she can be found hiking in the hills with her dog.

Madison Hazen

Lower Elementary Teacher

With EBM Since 2021

Madison is happy to begin her third year as a Lower Elementary teacher after spending a year in Italy earning her AMI 6-12 Elementary Diploma from the Fondazione Centro Internazionale Studi Montessori in Bergamo. She has five years of teaching experience on top and several years behind her of working with children as a camp counselor or assisting in schools during the summer months. Madison holds a BA from CalPoly Humboldt with a double major in Anthropology and Religious Studies and additional coursework in Celtic Studies and Folklore from University College Cork in Ireland.

In her down time, Madison can be found running, rock climbing, knitting, or playing music - unfortunately she has yet to find a way to do all four at once.

Matilde Olvera

Spanish and Afterschool Teacher

With EBM Since 2021

Matilde has been working with children for more than 10 years, teaching for 6 years, and has been a part of EBM for 5 years now as our Spanish and Afterschool teacher. She earned a BS in Elementary Education from Utah State University, a California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential, and an Early Childhood Education Certificate.

Matilde spends her time off enjoying nature, giving back to her community, staying physically active, and spending time with loved ones.

Micah McClain

Music Teacher

With EBM Since 2004

Micah has been a performing musician for over 30 years and has been teaching children percussion for 32 years. He is celebrating his 22nd year with EBM as our talented Music Teacher! Micah holds his Level III Orff Schulwerk Certification and has presented for jazz workshops for SFJAZZ, California Association for Music Educators, Stanford Jazz Workshops, Guitar Workshop, and the California Association of Music Educators.

Micah has performed music on six continents, and lives with his wife Kim, two cats Solomon and Simon, and 26 house plants, all named Rit Maroni. 

Michael Wallace

Kindergarten Bridge Assistant

With EBM Since 2023

Michael is joining EBM for his 4th year at EBM, and has been working with children for more than ten years. He holds multiple mental health certifications from his previous job as a youth counselor, including a Parenting Counselor Certification.

During Michael's free time, he can be found spending time with his partner, visiting museums, hiking, collecting musical instruments, and volunteering throughout the community.

Missy Barrow

Kindergarten Bridge Lead Teacher

With EBM Since 2021

Missy has been a Montessori Guide for over 30 years and has been a part of East Bay Montessori for five years. Missy has a B.A. in psychology and is certified by the American Montessori Society.

She enjoys spending time with her husband and child, Vaughan, who is a recent graduate of East Bay Montessori. Missy enjoys crafting and writing poetry in her spare time.

Nathan Thompson

Afterschool Assistant & PE Teacher

With EBM Since 2024

We welcome Nathan back for his 3rd year at EBM with his 12 years of experience working with children. Nathan has worked in a variety of educational settings, including public and charter schools, English as a Second Language classrooms, the UC Gill Tract Farm, and San Francisco SPCA’s youth programs. Nathan earned a BS in English from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a Master’s in Liberal Studies from Hamline University.

Originally from Minnesota, Nathan loves living in the East Bay where he does gardening and herbalism, hiking, biking, and enjoys watching and playing sports.

Peggy Wolff

Business and Operations Manager

With EBM Since 2025

Peggy recently joined East Bay Montessori, bringing a rich background in finance, operations, and education. She holds two MBAs - one from the University of Massachusetts Boston and another from the University of Hohenheim in Germany - and was an Erasmus scholar at ESCP in Paris. Her career spans nearly a decade in the for-profit sector and over a decade building Montessori-inspired schools for underprivileged children in India. She also spent several years as a substitute teacher in Napa Valley public schools. Peggy is excited to support the EBM community and help create the conditions for children to thrive.

Now based in the Berkeley Hills, Peggy enjoys the arts and opera, puzzles, and outdoor adventures. She’s an avid hiker, biker, swimmer, and skier - and this summer discovered a new passion: pickleball.

Rachel Kleinman

Admissions and Outreach Director

With EBM Since 2022

Rachel is entering her 5th year in admissions with EBM. She was previously a teacher for 13 years, and a preschool co-director for 2 years. Rachel holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She earned her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from the Mid-America Montessori Training Institute and an Early Childhood Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center. Rachel is CAEP certified by the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals to strive for excellence in our enrollment programs and practices.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys creating and being artistic, spending time with her fluffy puppy, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible.

Regina Hartmann

Learning Specialist

With EBM Since 1989

Regina is in her 34th year with EBM and has 44 years experience working professionally with children. She has an Honors in Educational Philosophy from Ithaca College, a Master's Degree in Education from Holy Names University, and an Educational Therapy Certification. Regina earned her Early Childhood Montessori Credential from the Montessori Training Center of NY, which she implemented as a preschool and kindergarten teacher at EBM for several years. We are proud that she also supports our students with her professional certification through the Association of Educational Therapists.

Regina has proudly raised two adult children, Cameron and Grace, who both attended EBM. She loves her work and enjoys all of the cultural and natural wonders the Bay Area offers - from hiking in Tilden or Pt. Reyes during the day to attending performances at Zellerbach or SF Ballet.

Tracey Shababo

Art and Theater Teacher

With EBM Since 2023

Tracey is joining EBM for her 4th year as our Art and Theater Teacher and has over 10 years of experience working with children. She holds a Drama and Art History Double Major BFA from New York University and holds 24 years of knowledge in visual and performing arts. Tracey comes to us having worked at The Santa Fe Opera, The New York City Ballet, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tracey enjoys live performances, museums and galleries, and spending time in nature.

Alicia Redwine

Substitute Teacher

With EBM since 2021

Alicia has been working with EBM for five years as a substitute teacher. She began working with elementary-age students in her senior year of high school as a tutor. She then went on to earn a B.A. in English, with an emphasis on creative writing, from San Francisco State University. 

When Alicia's not in the classroom, she enjoys crafting and taking care of her ever-growing collection of house plants.