Meet the Team

Zaiya has been in a Montessori classroom since she was only a few months old and has 9 years of experience of working with children. Some of her strengths include helping children with emotional attachment, children loving her and squeezing her gently; she loves all of her friends from her many years in the classroom! Some of her favorite personal things are to play with the children at recess, sleep in the middle of circle, and search around for dropped food at lunch time.  


The children love to give Zaiya snuggles, and she doesn't mind :)

​Sarah grew up in Ballard and has lived here most of her life, with brief stints in Queen Anne, Fremont, and San Francisco. She has a background in environmental journalism and tech project management and finds great joy in organizing, systematizing, alphabetizing, and any other -izing that involves spreadsheets. Her sons, both taught by Veronica at Practical Montessori, are now old enough that they no longer laugh at her jokes as much as the preschoolers do. But she still loves them a whole lot, along with books, coffee, llamas, interesting conversations, and her husband Andrew (who at least laughs at her jokes more than the kids do).

Patricia Bertolini M.ed In Montessori Education

(AMI) Montessori Lead Teacher 

​​​​​A native of Brazil and recent Seattle transplant, Patricia has a Bachelor's degree in physics with four years experience teaching in Brazil. After moving to Seattle, she completed a Child Care Course Program that resulted in the internship at the school. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she is continuing to improve her English with daily classes at the North Seattle College. With a love for science, she has worked with physics laboratory experiments since her first year at university. She is always interested in new events and science projects and will always be glad to talk about it. Patricia is always walking with her dog, “Café”, around Ballard and discovering new things about her new neighborhood and city. If you are into hiking and snowboarding, she will be happy to join you next time you go!

Veronica Dutton 

Certified Lead Teacher, AMI/AMS,SPED

Head of School and founder

Veronica has been working with children for more than 15 years and teaching in a Montessori classroom since 2007. After moving with her husband to Seattle from Arizona, in 2006 she completed her Montessori education through the United Montessori Association (UMA), and a second Montessori teaching credential through the Association Montessori International (AMI)while also furthering her studies (BAS) in early childhood development and Family Studies and Special Educaiton(UW). Veronica is fluent in and has taught Spanish, as well as coached families in the Northwest on how to express warmth and connect with their children since 2006. When she's not teaching children, you can find Veronica with her dog or smelling rosemary on walks around the neighborhood. She also enjoys hiking, storytelling, yoga, intercultural human interactions,  Salish Sea Awareness, and learning about children through nature.​

Elizabeth McCollum B.AS In Early childhood Education

Assistant Teacher 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Training and experience:​

  • M.ed in Special Education (University of Washington)
  • B.A.S in Early Childhood Development and family studies  (NSC)
  • AMI Diploma from MNW
  • MACTE Accredited
  • AMS Diploma from (UMA) 
  • Active Participant  in Early Achievers for Early Childhood Education
  • Active Board ​Member Of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association (PNMA) 
  • Project manager for Cultural and individual diversity curriculum​
  • Coach trainee for Imagine U (DCYF)
  • ​Early Childhood & Adult Learning Training

​**Veronica is a also a state-certified licensed provider (DCYF) and educator, who receives ongoing training and attends conferences quarterly, if you ever want to know more about other current certifications or resources, she is happy to help!**

Born and raised in South Carolina, Elizabeth has spent more than 15 years caring for children. In 2013, after moving to Seattle, she became a full-time nanny with various families. Realizing she enjoyed working with children, she desired to dive deeper in her knowledge and understanding of the ways children learn and how she could guide them in their learning journey. In 2020, she joined the Anti-Bias Early Childhood Education program at North Seattle College and graduated in June 2022. She enjoys long walks, riding her bike in the summer, and rowing on South Lake Union with her crew. Elizabeth is excited to be a part of Practical Montessori. 

Zaiya Moon (Wise Teacher)

Mascot 


Sarah Burkhalter 

Administrator