Board of Trustees
Mission Statement
The mission of the Three Tree Montessori School Board is to provide strategic governance that supports the school's commitment to a Montessori education for children from 15 months to twelve years old. We are dedicated to ensuring a sustainable, enriching, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. Through collaboration with faculty, families, and the entire community, we uphold the values of Dr. Maria Montessori, advocating for an environment that fosters independence, creativity, and global citizenship, while promoting the school’s long-term growth and success.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to support Three Tree Montessori School in becoming a model of excellence in Montessori education. We strive to create a strong foundation for the school’s future, ensuring that it remains a place where children are empowered to learn, explore, and become responsible, compassionate citizens. As a school board, we are committed to upholding the integrity of Montessori principles, fostering a supportive and collaborative community, and ensuring the school’s resources and infrastructure are aligned with its mission to educate and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
About the TTMS Board
The Board meets once per month to guide policy and support the school’s mission. Additionally, the Board holds an Annual Meeting (State of the School) every April, which is open to all members of the TTMS community. This meeting provides a valuable opportunity to share updates, celebrate achievements, and outline future goals.
We warmly welcome applicants from both TTMS families and members of the greater community who are passionate about serving and dedicating their time to support our mission. Joining the Board is a meaningful way to contribute your skills and make a lasting impact on the school and its students.
More information about the TTMS Board of Trustees’ work can be found in the Board minutes (link below) for review. We encourage those interested in serving to reach out and explore this fulfilling opportunity to help shape the future of TTMS by emailing us at Board@threetree.org.
2025 Goals
- Complete strategic plan in collaboration with the school community
- Create a sustainable tuition plan
- Grow the board’s size, commitment, and competencies
Current Trustees
President: Jeremy Valdes
Value Focus: Integrity
Jeremy joined the board in November of 2021 and has two little ones that are in Bigleaf Maple (Miyuki) and Madrona (Kazuaki). Miyuki started Hawthorn in 2019 and Kazuaki followed the same path in 2021. Jeremy and his wife Yoko appreciate and love TTMS and continue to be impressed by the independence and self-guided motivation both kids show. They greatly appreciate the guides, assistants, staff, and all those involved in supporting the growth of their kids and all benefiting from TTMS.
Prior to joining the Board Jeremy worked for over a decade within the not-for-profit sector managing corporate real estate portfolios for the Pacific Northwest and now works as a Project Manager Lead for Pacific Program Management’s largest account team.
In his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing golf, and spending time with his family. He is passionate about diversity and inclusion and supports various volunteer projects.
Vice-President: Chynna Jeremiah
Value Focus: Social Justice
Chynna joined the board in 2021 and has been a part of the Three Tree Community since 2020. She has a son who attended primary in Sitka Spruce (Avery) and another son in Red Cedar (Harper). Being a part of the Three Tree community and watching her boys grow and learn within the Montessori philosophy and environment has made her a staunch supporter and vocal advocate for TTMS. She appreciates the guides, assistants, framework, and curriculum that have allowed her children to flourish and most of all, be happy. Chynna works in public education as a Disproportionality Program Manager with a background in special education, school psychology, and educational leadership. A fierce advocate for racial justice, inclusivity, and neurodiversity best practices, she believes that bringing her experiences as an educator and a Black mother with Black sons will increase the effectiveness of the Board. Aside from her work in public education and on the board, she enjoys traveling, eating good food, participating in TTMS community events, spending time with her family, and binge-watching any great show.
Treasurer: Jill Big Eagle
Value Focus: Financial Stability
Jill joined the TTMS community in September 2019 when her twins Nora and Penny joined the toddler classrooms. Though we had no idea what "Montessori" actually meant, we quickly noticed how both girls flourished under the care of such excellent Guides, Assistants, and Support Staff. Now that the girls are in the Red Cedar and Madrona classrooms, we love the responsibility and curiosity that Montessori has imbued in them both. Jill joined the TTMS staff briefly in 2020 and is super excited to have joined the board in 2022. She is a fundraiser at The 5th Avenue Theatre, a Commissioner on the Burien Arts Commission, and also serves on the board of Seattle Families of Multiples. In her free time, she enjoys mountain climbing, running, knitting/crocheting, and drinking wine.
Trustee: Ed Acee
Value Focus: Commitment to Service
Ed is an accomplished technology leader with over 20 years of experience in driving strategic direction by aligning business objectives with solid technical expertise. His strong focus on performance and problem-solving enables him to seamlessly transition between macro and micro perspectives when tackling complex challenges. With an extensive background and a track record of successful delivery, Ed brings valuable insights to the board of directors.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Ed shares a deep appreciation and affection for TTMS with his wife, Jené. They are continually inspired by the autonomy and inner drive displayed by every child associated with the organization. Ed and Jene sincerely value the commitment and dedication of the guides, assistants, staff, and all those involved in nurturing the development of their own children and benefiting the wider TTMS community. They are proud parents of their daughter, Kinsley, who is currently thriving in the Aspen classroom.
Trustee: Diana Ching
Value Focus: Community
Diana has been part of the Three Tree Community since 2019. She brings experience from a diverse educational background -- undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Communications, a post-graduate IMBA, and a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She currently works as a pharmacist for Kaiser Permanente. Diana and her husband Jeff have two children at Three Tree - Titan (flying up from Aspen) and Luna (flying up from Madrona).
In her free time, Diana loves planning events and finding a good deal. She is excited to join the TTMS board and grow the already amazing community.
Trustee: Sam Denton
Value Focus: Inclusion
Sam joined the Board in 2023 and has been a part of the Three Tree Community since 2020. Sam and his wife Heather have three kids at Three Tree: Margaret (Adler), Max (Big Leaf Maple) and Mae (Sitka Spruce). Since relocating to Burien from Chicago, Sam and his family have grown to love the TTMS community and support the guides, assistants and staff that work tirelessly to nurture and develop every child at TTMS. Sam works in the transportation industry and has over 20 years of experience, in the private and non-profit sectors, managing and leading teams towards a collective goal. Outside of work and the TTMS community, Sam enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. He is an active member of the Pride Foundation and his committed to advancing DE&I in the workplace and beyond.
Trustee: Jacque Elder
Jacquelyn currently works as a lower elementary guide at Pacific Crest School in Seattle. Prior to her current position, Jacquelyn worked in a bilingual school Biot, France, and was an upper elementary guide at Three Tree Montessori School. Before that, she held various positions supporting elementary classrooms at all levels at Pacific Crest School. She holds a Master's in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University and received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics and Government from Georgetown University. She taught second grade children in Maryland Public Schools and took time off from education to stay at home while her children were very young. Prior to teaching, Jacquelyn worked in policy as a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon and for Oregon State Representatives and was in public affairs for the National Guard. In her free time, Jacquelyn loves to paddle board, go on long walks with her dog, and spend time with her family.
Trustee: Maria Garvey-Caruso
Maria and her wife, Marge, joined the TTMS community in 2021 when their daughter, Florence, started in the Red Cedar classroom. She is now in Big Leaf Maple. Since then, their son, Arlo, has spent his primary years in the Western Hemlock classroom and is now in his capstone year. Seeing what a rich environment TTMS provides for the children and the community that it has created for the families is part of what inspired Maria to join the board this year, 2025. She is a doctor of physical therapy and has experience not only in clinical practice but also in leadership, system development and maintenance. She is relationship-focused, equity and excellence driven and strives to support the TTMS school and community as a member of the board.
Outside of work, Maria can be found in her garden, hiking, walking the dog, and swing dancing.
Trustee: Brittany Parker
Brittany is thrilled to join the board of Three Tree Montessori School, where her son, Prosper is a proud Aspen 1st year. She deeply values Montessori’s focus on independence, critical thinking, and cultivating a sense of responsibility toward oneself and the community. Brittany is excited to contribute to a learning environment that encourages these traits in our children.
Professionally, she is an education industry marketing leader at Amazon with a background spanning the tech, private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Her experience includes brand development, advertising, content strategy, and events. Prior to her marketing career, Brittany was an elementary teacher at a charter school in St. Louis, MO and later Seattle Public Schools.
Brittany has also served on the boards of the American Advertising Federation and the NAACP, where she supported strategic planning, community engagement, and program development. She is honored to support the school’s strategic plan and help our students, guides, staff, and families thrive—now and into the future.
Trustee: Anna Pierce
Anna and her family have loved calling South King County home for over a decade. She and her husband, Derek, feel even more connected to the community now that their daughter, Rhea, has been part of TTMS for more than three years. Believing deeply in the importance of supporting the people and organizations that shape her community, Anna is committed to serving TTMS through board volunteerism.
With a background in leadership and culture transformation consulting, Anna brings experience working with a variety of teams, helping them navigate change and strengthen collaboration. She draws on insights from her time in corporate leadership roles and her volunteer work with nonprofits, from local arts commissions to voter registration initiatives. Whether ensuring students in the Highline School District have access to musical instruments or engaging in creative community projects, Anna is passionate about contributing to efforts that foster connection and opportunity.
Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Anna enjoys listening to audiobooks while taking slow walks with her aging family dog, playing with clay, and digging in the dirt. She’s always up for a great meal with friends and family.