OUR STAFF

Sherry Herrin, Preschool Director

Please meet Sherry Herrin the director of our Montessori preschool program. She is originally from Maine, growing up in a family of eight siblings. Sherry’s parents were active foster parents which added to the fray around the house. Ultimately several hundred foster children would benefit from these loving parents; their efforts provided a healthy, respectful, nurturing and giving environment. Their modeling of these virtues was not lost on Sherry; she too developed a love for children and their mentoring soon became her passion. Sherry knew as she began her higher education that children would be her focus, completing her Early Childhood Education degree from Becker College in 1991.

After graduating, Sherry has worked in the Early Childhood Education field with over 25-years of experience working with children as she honed her philosophy and teaching methodology. Sherry’s experience includes teaching, directing, and even building and owning her own preschool. Sherry fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy while teaching at a Montessori School in Boulder Colorado in 1998. Although she believes in a Montessori-based philosophy, she incorporates the best of other philosophy’s as she has developed the curriculum and its supporting philosophy for Saint Columba’s early childhood program, including NAEYC educational philosophies concerning developmentally appropriate learning environments, Reggio Emilia for art, and Waldorf for out-of-door and creative play environments. 

Sherry has a love for creating spaces for children and is always continuing her education to stay current with best practices of Early Childhood Education, recently attending Harvard School of Design, and focusing on creating indoor and outdoor environments for childcare settings. You'll notice that St. Columba preschool has undergone a complete remodel and will continue to evolve into a space that nurtures and supports the whole child. Thank you, Sherry!

As the Owner of a CrossFit Gym in Palm Desert, CA Sherry competed and succeeded as a Master’s Athlete in the 2016 World CrossFit Games, all while directing the ‘Montessori Preschool of the Desert”. In recognition of her athletic accomplishments, for her volunteering and “finding ways” to give back to those in need Sherry was inducted as a life-long ambassador for her service by Lululemon Corporation. She is a CrossFit Kids certified trainer and has directed local YMCA youth sports and programs.

Most recently Sherry hiked the 2,192-mile Appalachian Trail, a trek from Georgia to her home state of Maine. She is thrilled to call Durango home and will pursue her love for the outdoors; skiing, biking, hiking and trail running. 


 Our Team
(This section is being updated! 
We will soon be adding profiles for Kat, Niavis, Patience, Lexy, Akiko, Chelsea)

Meet Julianna Moeller



What I do at St. Columba Montessori:

Work with the children making art, singing, and discovering new things.


What I love about St. Columba:

The work environment and my coworkers!


Mountains or beach:

Mountains! I grew up on an island though and will always love the beach too.


Favorite destination:

Alyeska Ski Resort in Alaska. My family would have a reunion there every year. 


Words to live by:

“People say nothing is impossible but I do nothing everyday.” -A.A. Milne I think it’s very important to take time for yourself everyday to reflect.

Meet Patience Anaya


What I do at St. Columba Montessori:

I work with preschool children at St.Columba


What I love about St. Columba:

I love nurturing and supporting the growth and development of young minds! I also love working with such amazing teachers. 


Mountains or beach:

I really love both the mountains and the beach! 


Favorite destination:

My favorite destination is almost any natural hot spring. 


Words to live by:

 "when love renounces all limits it reaches truth" 

Meet Lexi Dalton


What I do at St Columba:

I am an assistant teacher helping kiddos learn, grow, and become more independent each day.

What do I love about St Columba:

I love that the children get the chance to grow their personalities and independence in a safe, loving environment. I also love the support St Columba gives to their staff, families, and the children of the center.

Mountains or Beach: 

Its impossible to choose! Both are amazing in their own ways, I love them both!

Favorite Destination: 

I would have to choose Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is where I was born so I always love getting the chance to go back and visit with loved ones.

Words to live by:

“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.” -John Lennon 

I believe this with my whole heart because even when we feel the need to show others the amazing things we do, it's just as important to do beautiful things that are just for ourselves.

Meet Kathryn Altieri


What I do at St Columba.

Montessori lead teacher and curriculum developer


What I love about St Columba 

To sound cliche, the children are always the best part of this job. It is both a privilege and in some ways scary to be a part of a child’s life. They remind me to find the joy in all the little things. Now that I’ve gotten all of the cliches out of the way, the other wonderful part of St Columba is the unwavering support of the director, Sherry


Mountains or beach? 

Mountains forever and always. Although I find myself craving more and more beach vacations.

Favorite destination.
Tough! Fav place I’ve ever been- Patagonia. Fav in CO-Sand Dunes or practically any alpine lake. 

Words to live by:
Live. Laugh. Love. 

Meet Brittany!



What do I do at St. Columba Montessori?

Assistant Director and Lead Teacher in the classroom


What I love about St. Columba:

I love being given the privilege of forming loving and caring relationships with the children and being able to help start the foundation they will build on the rest of their lives. I also love the solid team of preschool coworkers I have and our emotional support dog, Johnny. They all can make the stressful days so much better.


Mountains or beach?

Mountains


Book or Movie?

Books! However, snuggling up on a cloudy, stormy day to watch a movie is a definite treat.


Something you’ve learned as an adult?

I’m slowly starting to learn that I am capable of more than I think I am.


Early riser or night owl?

Night owl all the way! I’m enthralled by moonlight and its magic. I can stare at the night sky for hours waiting for shooting stars.


A favorite destination?

Wide-open moonlit places and moving water


Pets?

2 dogs, Tank and Weasel, both pittie mixes. I have compassion and a big place in my heart for pitbulls.


Words to live by:

Run with endurance the race that is set before you. Hebrews 12:1



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