Our Board


The South Coast Montessori Board of Directors exists to advance the school's mission by providing counsel and advice. The Board is ultimately responsible for all financial, legal, strategic planning and policy issues.

"Whoever touches the life of a child, touches the most sensitive part of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”


- Maria Montessori

Michael McLernon

President


Michael is a Human Resources professional with 20+ years of experience in consulting and serving as an internal leader focused on employee compensation and benefits. Originally from New Jersey, Michael relocated to Santa Barbara in 2013 where he and his wife were pleased to enroll their two children in South Coast Montessori.
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Rick Drake

Vice-President


Rick is retired from more than 40 years of Montessori classroom teaching. He holds diplomas from both AMI and AMS as well as a graduate degree in education from UCSB. He continues to teach origami to both adults and children.

Kyle Riddlebaugh

Treasurer


Kyle is an accomplished finance executive and Certified Public Accountant with 20+ years in leadership roles for publicly traded entities, private equity owned companies and 'Big Four’ accounting firms. Kyle is currently employed as Vice President and Global Controller at Deckers Corporation in Santa Barbara. Parent of current Primary students.

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Autumn McFarland

Secretary


Autumn is a mother of two and a wife and has a deep love of all things education. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Colorado, Denver in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Human Development and Child Psychology. The Montessori (AMI) philosophy is near and dear to her heart and her goal is to provide a space where you and your children can feel safe and supported. She is a graduate of Montessori schools herself and the parent of a current Toddler student.

Leah Shannon

Member At Large


Leah Sahagun is a Montessori alumnae, parent and the current Primary teacher at South Coast Montessori. She received her AMI Primary training from the Washington Montessori Institute in 2001, as well as, obtained her Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola University of Maryland.

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