Faculty

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

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

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

Dana Rianda

Lead Primary Assistant

Dana has been an assistant teacher at Hollister Montessori School for over 15 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 with all ages of children. Dana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and has attended AMI Conference teacher assistant refresher courses. Her oldest daughter was a student the first year of HMS and her other two children followed. Dana enjoys spending time with her family, along with attending sporting events to cheer on her favorite athletes, which include young family members through professionals.

Iris Ocampo

Iris Ocampo

Primary Assistant

Iris Ocampo studied at California State University, earning their BA in Child Development. For five years they worked at a group home, experiencing different stories from different types of situations. Now working at Hollister Montessori School, as their own experience, they are excited to see how much more they can learn from Montessori and the children. Iris is always willing to learn something new and do what they can to improve. Iris is interested in drawing/crafts, reading and spending time with their dog.

Michele Barraza

Michele Barraza

Primary Assistant

Michele is a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She discovered she loved to work with young children when she would volunteer in her children's classroom. She is currently taking her last early childhood units at Gavilan College. She has been a teacher assistant for 5 years. In her spare time, she enjoys boating with her family and traveling. 

Valerie Duran

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

Alheli Ortega

Primary Assistant

My name is Alheli Ortega. I have been a preschool teacher since 2007 and have worked with children in both a family daycare as well as a preschool center setting. I am the mother of a lovely girl. I am bilingual with Spanish being my native language. I enjoy caring for and teaching children and I am really excited to be a part of the Montessori community. I look forward to sharing the joy of learning with both the children and families in the community. During my free time I enjoy cooking, reading and hiking.

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