Tracy is one of the founder of North Shore Montessori School, established in 2013 and has served on the Board of Directors from the very beginning, working closely with the design and initiation of the organization. She has a BA from UW Madison, an MBA from Keller Graduate School, and a Montessori Whole School Leadership Certificate. She loves to see happy productive children everyday- the way childhood should be! In her spare time Tracy can be found gardening, reading, and enjoying a cup of good coffee.

Taly joined the board in 2021 as a parent of her child that attended NSMS from third grade through sixth grade. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, and a MS & PHD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. She is currently a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University. Taly believes NSMS is a gem and she is so happy to give back through this position on the board. She values that the Montessori philosophy allows each individual child to thrive in their own unique way. Her free time is spent hiking, walking, biking, cross country skiing, and driving her kids around!

Allyn has a Bachelor's Degree in English from Michigan State University and a Masters Degree in Education from Loyola College of Baltimore. She also holds

both Primary and Elementary Diplomas from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and has fifty years of experience in Montessori teaching both children and adults.

Allyn is an AMI Elementary Teacher-Trainer, examiner and school consultant. She helped establish and ran the Montessori Institute of Milwaukee for 29 years. She also ran

training courses for 6 to 12 teachers in Portland, OR, Hangzhou, China and Sydney, Australia. Currently, she is co-directing an Elementary teacher training course in

Washington, DC. Allyn was a member of the AMI Training Group for six years and is a past chair of the AMI-USA board of directors. Currently she is a Pedagogical Advisor for the Elementary Alumni Association (EAA) and Chair of the Consultation Committee for AMI-USA. She consults schools and gives workshops around the world.

Doris  brings more than 18 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education, a foundation that continues to influence her work and the way she connects with others. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Engagement and Education. As an entrepreneur, she draws on her creativity, experience, and ability to bring people and ideas together.

Throughout her career, Doris has valued learning environments that give children the freedom to be themselves, explore their interests, develop confidence, and discover what they are capable of. Her years in education have given her a lasting appreciation for the important roles that schools, educators, and families play in a child’s development.

She is honored to join the North Shore Montessori School Board and looks forward to sharing her experience and perspective, learning from others, & supporting the students, families, and school community.

Hope is a proud parent of a former NSMS student who attended from age 4-6th grade. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech, an M.S. in Biology from University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in Education from Virginia Tech. She has worked in multiple sectors including Financial Services, Healthcare, Higher Education, and Non-profit, but always focused on education. She attributes much of her daughter's success in all areas - social, emotional, and cognitive - to the experience she received at NSMS. She passionately believes that the most effective education is not measured by external accomplishments, but, rather, on nurturing a child's curiosity and building their critical thinking skills to develop a love of learning and a self-confidence that lasts a lifetime. Hope enjoys reading, camping, traveling, and volunteering in her community. 

Jacob is a proud parent and dedicated member of the North Shore Montessori School community. He graduated from Michigan State University, where he built the analytical foundation that guides his work today. Jacob currently serves as a Product Owner at Landmark Credit Union. In this role, he focuses on delivering thoughtful digital experiences and supporting long‑term product strategy.

He brings that same strategic mindset to the NSMS Board, with a particular passion for financial stability and long‑term sustainment. Jacob believes that strong financial planning is essential to preserving the school’s mission for future generations. His goal is to help ensure NSMS remains resilient, well‑positioned, and prepared for continued growth.

Jacob is also a deeply invested parent in the NSMS community. His son Bowie has been a student at the school for three years. Jacob is continually impressed by Bowie’s reading development and the remarkable vocabulary he has gained through the Montessori environment. Seeing Bowie thrive has strengthened Jacob’s commitment to supporting the school’s future.



Outside of work and board service, Jacob enjoys playing golf and chess. Jacob is honored to contribute his time and experience to a school that has had such a meaningful impact on his family.

Karen is the mother of two young men, both of whom attended a Montessori school through late elementary school. One of the many aspects of a Montessori education that delights Karen is the consistency and continuity.  Her oldest son attended Montessori schools in 3 different states! Karen found the Milwaukee-area Montessori community welcoming and she became very involved in volunteering and leading Parent Education efforts. Karen has a BA in Psychology and Spanish from Michigan State University and 20+ years of experience in Human Resources. Now retired, Karen competes in triathlons and aquathons, including representing Team USA at World events, as well as reading, travel and home renovations.   

Mary Frances is a grateful former parent and staff member of NSMS. She holds a B.S. and M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (concentration in Learning Disabilities) from Northwestern University. She has experience as a resource teacher in a K-12 independent school setting and as a private tutor. Mary Frances' connection to NSMS began in 2017 when she and her husband made the decision to move their children to NSMS from the public school setting. The uplifting atmosphere, multi-grade classrooms, highly engaging approach to learning, and emphasis on independent thinking made the Montessori environment a best fit. Mary Frances thoroughly enjoyed being part of the enthusiastic and engaged NSMS parent community, assisting in fundraising efforts, book clubs, and volunteering. In 2019, she joined the NSMS staff for two years as the Adolescent Program Coordinator. She enjoys time spent with family, being on or near water, walking her dogs, baking, nature journaling, and staying involved at her children's school. 

Yolanda is a Milwaukee native and a proud parent of a current NSMS student. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and English Literature from Mount Mary University and two Masters degrees in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She currently practices as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. 

Yolanda was attracted to NSMS because of its philosophy around nurturing humans that think critically and live well rounded lives. These principles directly aligns to how she treats patients in her clinical practice. 



Outside of her work, Yolanda enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, horseback riding, and learning new ways to be active.