Jayne Martin – Head of School

Jayne joined DVMS as Head of School in July, 2021. Jayne’s Montessori journey began as a parent, observing her two sons as young children in their Montessori school, where she was a volunteer, classroom assistant, and elementary teacher. Jayne holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Western Ontario and an Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential. In 2019, Jayne became a member of the American Montessori Society’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program.

In her spare time, Jayne spends her time hiking, baking, wine tasting, and cheering on her boys’ athletic activities. Trips to the Monterery Pennisula, Lake Tahoe and British Columbia are favorite get-a-ways.

Deborah Donnelly – Business Manager

Deb began working in 1994 when her two daughters attended DVMS.  She took a brief hiatus when her third daughter was born and returned in 1997.  Prior to joining DVMS, Deb worked as an associate for Technology Funding Venture Capital.  Deb also worked at Paine Webber in the Municipal Investment Banking Division and as a financial analyst for Bechtel’s Nuclear Fuel Operations.  Deb graduated from UC Davis with degrees in Economics and Business Administration.

Deb can be found most weekends watching her daughters play soccer and volleyball.  She enjoys traveling and having a good laugh. Deb and her husband Kevin Fisher own and operate the Downtown Walnut Creek ACE Hardware.

Sheryl Flitton – Office Manager

Sheryl joined the DVMS family in 2016 after working as a preschool teacher for a few years. Prior to that, she devoted her time to raising her two children, both of whom attended a local Montessori school during their preschool years. Sheryl earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Minor in Child Development from California State University, Sacramento.

Born in Minnesota, Sheryl spent most of her early years in Houston and New Orleans before moving to the Bay Area in the early 1980s. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and watching local sporting events.

Shirley O- Administrative Assistant

Shirley became a part of the DVMS family in October 2022. Originally from American Samoa, she is of Polynesian heritage. She earned her General Business Diploma with an Administrative Accounting major from Tupou Tertiary Institute in 2006. Shirley’s career began at a Banking Corporation in 2007 before relocating to the US in 2010.

In her free time, Shirley has a passion for crafting. This interest led her to start her own small online boutique and participate in local pop-up events. 

Yvette Perreira Lewis –Infant/Toddler House (3 months to 3 years)

Yvette received her Montessori training at both the Pre-Primary and Infant/Toddler levels with a degree in psychology and early childhood education. A native of Hawaii, Yvette has taught in Montessori schools since 1979, both in Hawaii where she opened the first Toddler/Two’s Program at the Montessori Community School on Oahu and in the Bay Area, where she, her husband Patrick and their infant son relocated in 1988. Yvette joined our staff in 1994. She has since served as our Infant/Toddler Program Coordinator for the last 14 years seeing to the day-to-day functions of the I/T House and meeting with staff and parents as necessary.

Yvette has spent much of her time over the years becoming very involved in her three son’s soccer, swim team, and water polo activities. She enjoys scorekeeping at games and rarely misses a match or meet. She also loves walking, bike riding, and reading…and caring for her two little dogs!

Hadas Trost – Preschool Curriculum Coordinator

Hadas has been a teacher for nearly 30 years, holding an Early Childhood Teaching credential, a Montessori Teaching Credential, and a Positive Discipline Educator certificate. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy upon realizing it was similar to how she was raised in a Children’s House on a kibbutz in Israel. Hadas is very passionate about the Montessori philosophy and, over the years, has mentored many Montessori teachers.

For the past 25 years, she has been living in the Bay Area, raising four wonderful children and recently becoming a grandparent to a newborn grandson.

Jack Armendariz – Facilities Manager

When Jack isn’t helping out with DVMS projects, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three amazing kids . He loves traveling, hiking, camping, and working on anything electronic (he built computers for several years and also worked in the comic book industry). He also enjoys his own beer, when he gets the chance, and visiting friends in the brewing industry.