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.
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.
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.
Secretary: Sophia Fischer
Value Focus: Fostering Community
Sophia joined the board in January 2024 and has been part of the Three Tree Montessori School community since January 2021 when her daughter, Amelia, started in the Hawthorn classroom. Sophia brings a people-focused background to the board with community building, event planning, project management, rigorous attention to detail, and problem-solving. Having worked for both large and small companies, Sophia is comfortable jumping into any situation, balancing both continuous improvements, while also celebrating and supporting existing effective initiatives.
Sophia found Montessori education while researching how to best support her own children’s growth and potential. Growing up homeschooled, she was raised through many of the same principles that Maria Montessori championed. Specifically, she understands from a child’s perspective the profound effect of being respected and trusted by caregivers.
In her free time, Sophia is an avid supporter of PNW native life and can be found gardening and exploring local wildlife with her family.
Interim 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, Jene. 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 Sitka Spruce classroom.
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: Dan Effland
Dan brings a wealth of experience in education and community engagement to the Three Tree Montessori School Board of Trustees. After a prior career as a professional musician, Dan was inspired by experiences with young people in Chicago Public Schools to transition into K-12 education. Through Teach for America, he earned an M.S. in Special Education from Dominican University and taught special education for grades 6-12 in both Chicago and Seattle. He later served as the Dean of Culture and Instruction at Summit Sierra Charter Public School and obtained an M.Ed. in Public School Building Administration from Columbia University.
Currently, Dan serves as the Executive Director for Summit Atlas Charter Public High School and is a member of the Network Leadership Team for Summit Public Schools, a network of charter schools in Washington and California. He also serves on the boards of the League of Education Voters of Washington and the Washington State Charter School Association,
Dan is a proud parent of two children, including his son Will, who is a student in Madrona at TTMS. He is deeply committed to the belief that the world needs more great schools and views his personal mission as doing his part to make that vision a reality. Outside of his work in education, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, cooking big meals, and exploring the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.
Trustee: Jacque Elder