Kristin McConnaughey is our River Room teacher. She began work at Harmony as an Assistant to our founder, Jude in November 2000. She had worked with children for years in different capacities, mainly as a nanny, but it wasn’t until she found Harmony and learned more about Montessori that she discovered her true calling in life. She continued her work as an assistant the following year and then began her Montessori teacher training and certification through North American Montessori Center, while co-teaching for two years with Jude. She has been guiding the River Room at Harmony for seven years. Kristin’s life away from Harmony includes a passion for music and the outdoors. In her spare time she enjoys playing her guitar, singing, and exploring Oregon’s wild and scenic areas with her husband Jim and sixteen-year-old daughter Mesa.
Heaven Hartford is one of our River Room Assistants. She has been with Harmony since 2003. She has two children who are both Harmony Alumni. In addition to Heaven’s full work schedule she is pursuing a degree in English. She also enjoys gardening and crafts.
Victoria Poth rounds out our staff for the River Room. She recently graduated with an AMI Primary Teacher Certification from the Montessori Institute Northwest. After a career as a national magazine Food and Nutrition Editor and in the development and management of five-star spas, Victoria is following her passion to work with children through Montessori education. She is committed to helping each child develop their intellectual curiosity, social skills, independence and sense of community. Victoria is delighted with the beautiful Children’s Gardens at Harmony Montessori School. Her favorite community service commitment was at the Oregon Food Bank where she gardened each week with diverse groups of adults and children to provide organic produce for families. In addition to gardening, she also enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading the Sunday New York Times, even when it takes her the entire week to finish it!
