Faculty
Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Hollister Montessori School
are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. We believe that great teachers are our best asset.
Faculty
Ginger Lobeck
Founder
Ginger Lobeck is the founder of Hollister Montessori School. She has a BA in French from Holy Names University and has received both the AMI Primary and Elementary Diplomas. She spent many years teaching and building this community. She is currently enjoying her retirement as her legacy continues to grow.
Debbie Parga
Head of School, Lead Primary Guide
Ms. Debbie joined Hollister Montessori School in 1999 as a teacher assistant. She had an immediate connection with the Montessori method and environment. In 2005, she graduated from the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Primary Program at MTTC of NC (Montessori Teachers Training Center of Northern California). She has been the Lead Primary Guide at HMS for the past 16 years. In 2020, Ms. Debbie also became the new owner and Head of School of HMS. As a mother of three beautiful children who have all attended HMS throughout the years, she has seen the program through the eyes of both a teacher and a parent. She is incredibly grateful for the strong sense of community the children and parents bring to HMS. In her free time, Ms. Debbie enjoys gardening, walking her two adorable dogs, and traveling with family.
Dana Rianda
Lead Primary Assistant
Dana has been an assistant teacher at Hollister Montessori School for over 20 years. Over that time she has been part of the primary, elementary and outdoor classroom. Before coming to HMS, she worked in childcare for 8 years. Her three children all attended HMS. Dana has a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, has completed the AMI assistant training along with AMI Conference refresher courses. Dana enjoys spending time with her family, especially her 2 grandchildren. She also enjoys hiking and attending sporting events.
Iris Ocampo
Primary Assistant
Iris Ocampo studied at California State University, Sacramento, earning their BA in Child Development. For five years they worked at a group home, experiencing different stories from different types of situations. Now having worked 5 years in Hollister Montessori School, they have earned a certificate as a Montessori assistant guide and are still constantly working to continue their education into more Montessori to learn something new and do what they can to improve. Iris is interested in drawing/crafts, reading and spending time with their dog and cats.
Michele Barraza
Primary Assistant
Michele is a dedicated wife and mother of two sons, one teenager and the other a young adult.
Her journey working with children began when she volunteered at her son’s school. This
experience inspired a fulfilling career change and she began to earn Early Childhood Units at
Gavilan College. She has been working with children since 2010 as an associate teacher in a
preschool setting as well as leading an afterschool program. This experience developed a deep
appreciation for guiding young minds.
After the pandemic she joined Hollister Montessori and discovered a deep passion for the
Montessori approach to education. Watching children grow, explore, and thrive through the
Montessori process brings her immense joy and purpose. Outside of work she enjoys spending
quality time with her family. This includes taking their boat out for water sports, fishing,
swimming in their pool and going on bike rides together.
Valerie Duran
Primary Assistant
Valerie Duran is a dedicated wife and mother of one preschool aged son. She attended De Anza College and earned her A.A. In Social and Behavioral Science, a Certificate of achievement in Child Development as well as a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the State of California. She began her career in early childhood working for a Bay Area private school in January of 2001. She stayed there for nearly twenty years pre pandemic. She has worn an array of hats over the last 23 years and is looking forward to learning even more about the Montessori way of teaching. Her interests are tending to her succulent collection, driving her classic car and most of all spending time with her family.
Alheli Ortega
Primary Assistant
Alheli Ortega has been a preschool teacher since 2007 and has worked with children in both a
family childcare as well as a center setting. She is bilingual, with Spanish being her native
language. Alheli joined the Montessori community in 2024 and has since completed the AMI
Montessori Assistant program. Currently she is working to obtain her AMI Lead teaching
credential. She looks forward to sharing the joy of learning and the passion of Montessori
pedagogy with the children and families in the community. In her free time she enjoys cooking,
reading, and hiking.
