Mercedes Paine Castle is the founder, director, and lead guide at All Roads Learning Community. Mercedes holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz as well as an Infant and Toddler Montessori Teaching Credential from the American Montessori Society. Mercedes has worked with children professionally for ten years, since 2003 as the founder and Program Director of All Roads.
Mercedes is an active member of the Oregon Montessori Community, and has volunteered in the past for the Board of Directors of the Oregon Montessori Association for four years, most recently as the Co-Chair. Mercedes is also active in the Child Care Improvement Project, a professional network of in home child care providers who are invested in the highest quality and standards of child care. Mercedes is also a public speaker, consultant and parent coach. She is on the faculty at the Montessori Teacher Education Program San Francisco Bay Area.
In her free time, Mercedes enjoys being with her four year old son and her husband. She also enjoys singing, and playing the guitar, and making up songs. Mercedes is currently learning how to play the piano.
Sue Ann Gillingham joined the All Roads teaching community in January, 2007. Sue Ann holds a B.A. in Business and Marketing as well as an Master of Education from Loyolla College in Baltimore. Sue Ann is a Montessori Teacher, certified by the Association Montessori Internationale. Sue Ann has worked professionally with children for the past five years.
Sue Ann is the lead guide and provider of All Roads Casa, our Montessori School for children two and a half through six.
Mitra Hasan joined All Roads in August 2007. Mitra came to us after working in the infant room at Vermont Hills Family Life Center for nine years. A Portland native, Mitra holds a B.A. in Sociology from Portland State University, and is currently in training to become a certified Montessori Infant and Toddler guide. Mitra brings an authentic love and understanding of the youngest child to the classroom. Mitra is an artist and photographer, and shares her love of art with the children.
Dena Patterson joined our teaching team in August 2008. Dena comes to All Roads with over ten years of professional experience working with young children. Dena is inspired by the Reggio Emelia approach, and brings her knowledge and experience of this philosophy to the classroom.