Sue graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Sociology and Spanish. She has worked as a teacher and administrator in Montessori schools in California and Oregon since 1972 and has two daughters. She has completed numerous courses at the Center for Non-Profit Management at Portland State University. Sue is also an AMI-USA school consultant. She came to Childpeace in 1988.

Cloie Cohen
Assistant Head of School, Development Coordinator

Cloie graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Architecture. She has worked with young children for many years and has worked at Childpeace since May of 1998. Cloie’s son and daughter attend Childpeace.

Merri Baehr Whipps
Admissions & Program Director,Toddler Community, Children's House, The Terrace & Metro Montessori Middleschool

Merri graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in Religion. She worked with emotionally disturbed children at Parry Center for Children then received her AMI Primary diploma in 1990. She first worked at Childpeace as a CH Guide, served on the Childpeace Board while at home with her babies, then was a Guide at Montessori School of Beaverton until returning to Childpeace in 2003 as admissions director. Merri also completed the AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies in 2008. Merri has a daughter and son who graduated from Childpeace.

Dawn Cowan
Admissions & Program Director, Elementary

Dawn came to Childpeace in 2000 to found and Guide our Lower EL program for its first five years. She holds a B.A. in History from Portland State University and a Masters in Education from Loyola College in Maryland. After spending some time at home with her young family, and guiding at West Hills Montessori Elementary, she returns to Childpeace as the Elementary Admissions and Program Coordinator and Childpeace parent.

Rose Rodgers
Business Manager

Rose graduated from Oberlin College with majors in Women’s Studies and Visual Arts. The interest in children’s education that led her to Childpeace in 2000 has been fostered by time spent as a nanny, assisting with children’s art classes, and being a writing tutor. She manages the billing, accounting and HR responsibilities for the school.

Marlana Donehoo
Bookkeeping, Morning Receptionist

Marlana Donehoo comes to us via Tucson, Arizona where she worked in non-profit administration with several leading organizations in the community,  including Assistant to the GM at the Arizona Theatre Company, Butterfly Exhibit Coordinator at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and most recently, a host of hats at Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Marlana is an avid hiker, dog lover, food enthusiast and she enjoys sewing and interior design.

Dr. Elizabeth Schwarz
School Psychologist

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Child Development and Family Relationships and then taught preschool for two years before returning to complete a doctorate degree in Educational Psychology. Elizabeth has been a Licensed Psychologist in Oregon since 2005. Before working for Childpeace, she worked in community mental health and private practice and spent time at home with her two young children.

Alicia graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History. She returned to school later to obtain a degree in Graphic Arts when she lived in St. Louis. Alicia enjoys reading, cooking, art, hiking and being with her family, and joined Childpeace in 2005.

Jean has been with Childpeace since 2002. An experienced vegetarian chef, Jean manages the kitchen at Childpeace, prepares lunch daily for the Toddler Community and works with the elementary children on cooking projects. Before Childpeace, Jean thrived as a professional dancer and mother to her son, who is now grown.

Dan de Vriend
Facilities Manager

Dan, a native Oregonian, came to Childpeace in 2009 after a stint at New Roads School in California. He also worked at PNCA as the Sculpture Building Facilities Manager. Dan is also a musician and enjoys riding and maintaining bicycles.

Bryan Sakamoto
IT Manager

Bryan is a native Californian. Bryan was initially interested in Computer Science and went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN for a couple years before discovering his love of photography and design. He has been a photographer in San Diego, CA, a graphic designer in Atlanta, GA and now an IT Manager who dabbles in web design, social media, blogging, photography and videography.