Support Staff

Haley Bennett (she/her) joined Harmony as the Ocean Room Assistant in March of 2021 and is now supports our whole school as the Social Emotional Educator. Haley graduated from Portland State University with a bachelors degree in social science and a minor in Spanish. Her college highlights include a bilingual education capstone, and studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Spain. Haley previously worked with children and families at a counseling center where she taught coping skills, parenting classes, and worked closely with DHS. She loves young children and is thrilled to be working in a primary Montessori classroom. As a PNW native Haley loves hiking, camping, kayaking, and snowboarding. On a rainy day she can be found cuddling her two kitties or meditating somewhere cozy.

April Purvis (she/her) joined Harmony in the Spring of 2016 as a substitute teacher in the Waterfall Room, and quickly resonated with the team, vision, and philosophy that was present there. She has since trained in Orton-Gillingham a multi-sensory phonics technique and provides reading support for our primary classrooms as well as substitute responsibilities, and helps out with administrative work in the office and around the school. April loves being able to see and assist in multiple environments around Harmony, and truly has a heart for educating children on a holistic level. Formerly, April studied at the University of Idaho, where she received a B.A. in early childhood development. She then moved to Santa Barbara, where she taught at a preschool and enjoy lots of sunshine, before moving back north to Portland. April has two children, Emma and Wade, and they both currently attend Harmony. In her spare time, April loves to read, be silly with her kids and husband, spend time outdoors, train in Taekwondo, and eat chocolate.

Alison Torres (she/her) previously served as an assistant in the Forest room and support staff member until 2019. She has now rejoined the Harmony community as a floater and classroom support staff member after completing her bachelor’s with a double focus in English literature and Spanish from Portland State University. Alison is thrilled to be a part of a team of educators committed to providing equitable access to inclusive and holistic education. Her favorite part of the Montessori learning process is when a child provides an assistant/guest with a lesson about the work they have been mastering. The ‘a-ha’ moment when it all connects and a child is able to verbalize the connection is unlike anything else. Outside of the classroom Alison enjoys being outside with her partner, Luis, and their two dogs Benito and Greer. If she’s not chasing the dogs, she enjoys a good read or cooking a good vegan meal.

Candace Escoto (she/her)

Rebekah Clark (she/her) joined Harmony Montessori as the Food Coordinator in late March 2021. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Studies in 2014 and soon after started cooking in the educational field. Cooking has always been a passion of hers since she was little and was often found helping whoever was in the kitchen. Rebekah knew that she wanted cooking to be a part of her profession in some way after taking culinary classes in high school. In her free time, Rebekah can be found baking/decorating cakes for family and friends, taking part in all things Disney, and spending time with her family.

Gabriela Gomez (she/her) is an on-site substitute teacher and kitchen helper who joined Harmony in 2023.  Gabriela grew up in has been interacting with other children since she was young. When she was younger, she attended her mother’s school. Gabriela enjoys learning more about kids, their moods, their development and the way they learn. She feels an ease in relating with children very easily and one of her strengths is building trust and mutual understanding.  Gabriela attributes this skill to her experience learning and working with her mom for many years and her guidance and experience has helped shape her experience.  Why is that? The new world of colors, figures, smells, textures and more is open to them and while they explore this, they learn what their differences are.