About the Staff…
Shelly and Linda found that their work belongs with the children. As enrollment increased they began to look for individuals who shared their vision, enthusiasm, devotion, and loving approach to the children. Each teacher brings a uniqueness and a common thread to the school.

Linda Molinelli: Teacher, Co-Director, Co-Owner
Linda was born in San Francisco and educated in the San Francisco public schools. She went to San Francisco State University and graduated with a degree in General Education, and later received a life credential.
Linda taught in the public schools until while looking for a preschool/kindergarten for her daughter, she discovered the magic of Montessori. Linda has always felt that children have a natural desire to learn and learn more when they have free choice. She was immediately fascinated by the way these children in the Montessori classroom were learning with joy, without stress, and with inner direction; then trained to become a Montessori teacher.
Her reverence for the beautiful materials that Maria Montessori painstakingly created, to this day and after over two decades, still provides her with great enthusiasm when she presents a lesson to the children. Linda feels very fortunate to be in a position where she is inspired about teaching and learning so much from them.
In 1991 Linda met Shelley Martinez, a colleague at a Montessori school in San Rafael. Once they realized that they had the same teaching philosophy and style, Linda and Shelley began their unique school. By providing respect for each child as they are gives the children the same privilege. Linda often says, “Our school is about learning, and so much more… and we do it all with love and laughter!”

Shelly Martinez: Teacher, Co-Director, Co-Owner
Whenever asked, Shelley Martinez can not remember what she likes most; being a child or being with children. From the day her mom brought home her baby sister (she was six,) she found her calling. She taught her sister everything; delighted in watching her grow. As she grew up, Shelley found magic in teaching young children, an opportunity worth pursuing. She went to school to get the degree she needed to do what she loved. After receiving her degree, she moved to San Francisco for the time of her life (the ’60s.) She did it all; from the Haight Ashbury to living communally in a geodesic dome. She moved to Eureka when her two children started school, and was given the opportunity of a lifetime; created and ran a library at their school. What a joy it was for her to introduce all those children to stories and literature.
In 1980 Emily was born and her family moved back to Marin. She completed the Montessori teacher’s training and found herself teaching again. In the 1980’s, she met Linda Molinelli, and it was during that period of teaching together when they found a shared a vision, and Montessori In Motion began.
“After all these years, we’re still going strong! It’s all about teaching with love and laughter – teaching from the heart.”

Meg Margolis: Teacher
About 15 years ago, what began as a one time helper assistant became a synchronistic undertaking for Meg Margolis to become the volunteer Thursday hot lunch cook at Montessori in Motion. She had so much fun cooking with the children; using real utensils to slice and peel the cucumbers and French bread. When she baked treats, she measured everything and quickly the children followed.
An observer couldn’t tell who was having more fun, Meg or the chi ldren as their stirring, spreading and pouring infused with laughter. No problem with clean-up –washing and scrubbing; wiping those two big blue tables Ben built especially for them to use in the kitchen. Meg’s gentle and matter of fact way introduces cleaning as what the children want to do to get ready to eat!
She had no idea that she was beginning a new and second career. She went back to school to become a Montessori teacher and best of all she would feel at school that she is part of a kinship of love; a genuine joy being with the children and other teachers in such a protected and loving environment devoted to bringing out the best in them.
When Shelley suggests, “We must not carry our personal stories in a way that take our attention away from why we are teachers,” Meg is able to provide emotional safety in prepared environment where people love and grow.

Crystal Flory : Teacher
Crystal Flory comes to Montessori In Motion with over 15 years of teaching experience. It was September 1996 when Crystal first walked through the doors of a Montessori Preschool. She was amazed at the beautiful classroom and children so focused, happily doing the tasks at hand. They were pouring water, slicing apples, reading, writing, working on math, and geography. Crystal walked out of that preschool not only with a job but a new found love for Montessori Education.
Crystal studied at UC-Irvine and completed her Montessori Training earning her certification in 1998. She holds an Associate Early Childhood Credential. She has 33 ECE units and is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Crystal has a unique presence that conveys a gentle kindness. Her style of communication puts parents and children at ease. Her conscientiousness and reliability are evident in every aspect of her work. Crystal has a natural gift for teaching young children and a talent for facilitating the love of learning through the Montessori materials and philosophy.
Crystal enjoys spending time with her husband Joshua and her five year old son Blake. She can most often be found practicing yoga, reading, camping, listening to live music, and spending quality time with her family.

Zerene Soans: Office Assistant
When Zerene first became a parent, she decided to give her well-paid, full-time job at Bechtel in San Francisco. Ever since then, she has been working with Montessori in Motion – first as a teacher’s assistant and then for the last many years as the office assistant. Zerene is very much in favor of the Montessori philosophy for a solid basic foundation in life for a child. It helps a child’s self esteem and thus gears toward excellent self confidence.