Marilyn says, “I will always be grateful that my husband and I chose a Montessori preschool for our three children. It’s one of the best decisions we ever made.” Marilyn met Melody Patton when their children attended preschool, then elementary school, together. She admired Melody’s drive and watched from the sidelines as she became a preschool teacher, then transformed her ideas and passion into the creation of her own thriving Montessori preschool. She felt compelled to join the board. “Working with a head of school who is well organized, timely, and, most importantly, a fantastic communicator makes it a privilege to serve as board president,” she says. Marilyn holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Fort Lewis College. She worked in the energy field before raising her children, who are now adults. For more than 20 years, she worked as a part-time ski instructor.