Staff & Teachers

Kelli Sanchez

Director & Elementary Lead Teacher

Eugene native and South Eugene High School graduate. Received her Montessori training through the North American Montessori Center, completing her Primary certification in 2008 and her Lower Elementary certification in 2019. She has been working at the previous school since 2014 and began her Montessori career in 1995, viewing it as her lifelong passion.

Sarah McCarthy

Elementary Assistant Teacher

Born and raised in Eugene, where she now raises her own family. Sarah knew early on that she had a passion for helping students find their best way of learning. She mentored under renowned therapists and autism specialists for 3 years through Kris' Camp before accepting a position in the 4J School District as a 1:1 intervenor for 17 years. After that she broadened her teaching experience across several Montessori programs, and has now worked alongside Ms. Kelli for several years. In her time away from school, she loves teaching dance to all ages and abilities.

Joseph Sanchez

Primary 1 Lead Teacher

Joseph completed his Montessori training for Primary ages in 2024 from the North American Montessori Center (NAMC). His background includes child development courses, assistant teaching with the YMCA preschool, and in Montessori classrooms. Joseph has been a South Eugene resident since 2007.

He says, "My mother has been a Montessori teacher my whole life. I have had a passion since high school and knew this was my calling. I look forward to teaching future generations."

Starlight Alvis

Primary 2 Lead Teacher

Starlight has lived in the beautiful Pacific Northwest woods since early 2010, raising her daughters close to the land. With 20 years of teaching experience, she has furthered her Montessori training and earned certification in 2015. Starlight has served the Montessori community ever since and has opened and operated multiple programs for younger generations, with a continued passion for building community.

Both of her daughters grew up in a Montessori household and classroom community, deepening her love for this beautiful approach to learning.

Starlight says, "I believe everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student. I look forward to a vibrant year of growth together."

Outside the classroom, she enjoys art, writing, yoga, skateboarding, tea, gardening, working in her backyard oasis, and caring for the Earth—with her greatest work and deepest joy being with her family.

Midas Combs

Assistant Teacher

Midas recently relocated to the Eugene area after being a lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon. Their childcare background has a strong focus in working with children with autism as they worked as a Registered Behavior Technician and Direct Support Professional for three years prior to entering early childhood education. They graduated with a Bachelors of Psychology 2022, and will be applying for University of Oregon's Communications Disorders and Sciences Master's program for fall of 2027 as they further their career to become a Speech and Language Pathologist.

Michelle Dressler

Primary Assistant Teacher

Michelle was born and raised in sunny South Africa and has traveled the world from the age of 6, but her heart settled in 2016 in the marvelous and mystical lands of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in Eugene with her partner, three children and cats. Prior to teaching at South Hills, Michelle has worked with children in Waldorf schools, Head Start Preschools and has completed training in child development, psychology and family systems.

She is passionate about the Montessori method and is deepening her understanding to share these principles with students. She has great compassion and empathy for every child, and she loves to help each child find their passion and strengths by honoring the whole child. She brings her love of nature, cooking, art, and more to the children of our school.

Dakota Edney

Primary Assistant Teacher

Dakota recently relocated to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon to continue her education in childhood development. She has been working in Montessori environments for over four years and hopes to earn her Montessori credential in the near future. In her free time, she enjoys nature and animals, a passion she loves sharing with the children in her class.

Jeffrey Eads

Assistant Teacher

Jeffrey is an authentic born-and-raised Oregonian. Over his roughly 15,000 hours of experience working with youth, he has grown to deeply care about the community. He believes every situation can teach you something, and applies that into his work.

In his spare time, Jeffrey is a talented piano and guitar player and loves to spend time in and around the outdoors.

Tamara Andreas

School Administrator

Tamara is an Oregon native and University of Oregon graduate. She has a diverse background with experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising, office management, and volunteer coordination. Her daughter has attended South Hills since kindergarten. She also brings her passions for learning languages, gardening, the insect world, and food preservation to the students of South Hills.