Meet our Teachers

Primary Guide

Julie o’donnell

Miss Julie returns to St. Clare’s this fall for her third year as our beloved sweet and soft spoken Primary Guide. Julie loves reading novels and the lives of the saints and traveling with her dog, Tia. Originally from Philadelphia, Miss Julie graduated from Bowdoin college, where she majored in fine arts. Post college, Julie’s experience working one-on-one with children in traditional classrooms as an Americorps teaching assistant, and later as a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Catechist, led her to begin training as a Montessori Guide. Julie completed her Primary AMI training through Montessori Northwest and brings her love of painting, gentle nature, and unwavering commitment to the highest ideals of Montessori education to our Primary classroom. When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find Miss Julie hiking, camping, kayaking, and cross-country skiing.

Primary Assistant

Lorena Herrera

Mrs. Lorena Herrera returns for her second year as our Primary Assistant this year. Lorena has been involved in work with children and teens in our community for the past six years, working at the Boys and Girls Club, as a basketball coach at North Tahoe High and most recently as the Religious Education coordinator for St. Francis. Lorena has a passion for serving our community, and runs community outreach programs such as Winter Warmth and Wellness and Toys for Tots. When she’s not at work, you can find Lorena hanging out with her teenage kids and helping with their sports practices.

Elementary Guide

eugene gumah

Mr. Eugene hails from Ghana’s Upper East Region in North Africa. The third of five brothers, Eugene was raised in a big Catholic family. A passion for education runs in the family - his father helped to found the Gumyoko Primary school in their area, and his oldest brother served as the director of the first Montessori school in North East Ghana. After attending Catholic University of Ghana with a major in Economics and Business Administration, Eugene worked for several years in sales and marketing. Although successful, this line of work left Eugene feeling unfulfilled. With his older brother’s help, he decided to return to his family’s roots, entering the education field as the Information and Computer Technology teacher at La’Angum Learning Center in 2018. Working with the students at LLC ignited a passion for Montessori education in Eugene. Eugene completed his certification as an AMI Montessori Elementary Guide in the spring of 2022 and is returning for his third year at Saint Clare’s, this year as our Lead Guide. When he’s not in the classroom, Eugene loves spending time with his family, biking, reading, and watching adventure and comedy movies.

Elementary Assistant

sarah brown

Adolescent Guide

Lia Clarity

This year, we welcome back Miss Lia Clarity for her second year in our Adolescent Program. Lia is from East Tennessee, where she spent her childhood homeschooling and helping her mom around the house. An avid reader, she could often be found nestled up in a tree reading books. Lia attended St. Thomas Aquinas College where she spent her college years engaged in their Great Books curriculum. After college, Lia served as a camp counselor at ‘Down Home Ranch’ in Texas which focuses on helping adults and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lia is excited to bring her expertise in exploring big ideas using the discussion method to our Gray Wolf classroom. She enjoys reading, baking, and spending time outdoors.

Adolescent Seminar Instructor

Alex Roodhouse

Alex grew up between Tahoe and Mill Valley and spent several years of his childhood in Incline. He moved his family back home to Tahoe ten years ago and loves living in the mountains. A “Great Books” (Program of Liberal Studies) major at the University of Notre Dame, Alex loves literature and spends as much time as possible reading. After leaving Notre Dame, Alex spent four years as a Naval Officer, chasing pirates (seriously!) off the Horn of Africa and patrolling the Euphrates river during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shortly after leaving the military, Alex co-founded BeaverFit USA, which he continues to run. Alex brings his love of literature and passion for thoughtful dialogue to our Adolescent Program and is looking forward to leading seminar for his second year! Outside of time spent at work and school, you can find him skiing, mountain biking, discussing a good book with his wife Paige, coaching youth sports, or playing “rough and tumble” with one or all of his six kids.

Adolescent Catechesis Instructor

Mike Skeehan

Mike returns for his third year as our Adolescent Program Catechesis Instructor. Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Theology from Univerity of San Francisco’s St. Ignatius Institute and a Master of Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Mike is a dedicated father of six and has been a small business owner since 2008. He is an also a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS). When he’s not teaching, you’ll find him spending time in adoration, watching football, or out on the lake with his beautiful wife Jenn and his kids.

Office Manager

Caroline Gillcrist

Caroline grew up in Singapore from three to fourteen, later moving to San Diego for high school and pursuing her psychology degree at CSUSM. Following graduation, she became a corporate flight attendant, where she enjoyed a career that allowed her to travel around the world. Before becoming a mom, Caroline earned her private pilot’s license here in Tahoe at the Truckee airport. Caroline and her husband Trevor live in Incline with their two children, Elsie and James (currently in the Chipmunk class). Caroline loves living in Tahoe, enjoys snowboarding and all that Tahoe has to offer, and is excited to join the Golden Eagle team!