Interested in becoming part of our team? Please visit our Career’s Page.

Nikki Jones

Executive Director

Nikki comes to the Ivy school with over 17 years of experience in Montessori education as a Teacher, Coordinator, Principal and Program Supervisor. She served for five years as the instructional leader and Head Principal of a pk-12 grade Montessori public school. Her Montessori experience ranges from birth to high school and when asked which age group is her favorite she tells us, “I honestly don’t have an answer.  Each stage in the development of a child is a precious and meaningful experience.”

After earning her bachelors in Group Science with an emphasis in Biology and Minor in Elementary Education, Nikki began her career in education as a traditional classroom teacher but was soon fascinated by the Montessori program that her young daughter attended at the time. After one year as a traditional teacher she decided to accept an early elementary Montessori teaching position. She earned her Montessori Certification at the elementary level the next year from an American Montessori Society (AMS) accredited teacher training center. Upon successfully leading a Montessori classroom for 8 years she was promoted to Montessori Coordinator of a large school district and was soon the Principal of a Pk-12 public Montessori school.

Nikki is a mother of a college age daughter and feels deepened from the experience of being a mom. She treasures quality time with friends and family and enjoys quilting, reading, traveling, outdoor activities, cooking, learning and growing. She is looking forward to working with staff, students and families to ensure all students at Ivy receive a quality Montessori education.

Amy Stuhr

Assistant Director

Hello!  My name is Amy Stuhr.  I am looking forward to my 8th year at Ivy and my fourth in a student support/campus support role. I cherish this community of talented educators, curious, creative, loving children and supportive parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts and uncles.  I worked in alternative education, charter education, at Portland  Community College and at Jefferson High School before landing at Ivy.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies and found my way to Oregon in 1989. I worked in the non-profit sector until my daughter was born in 1996. In my freetime, I enjoy doing anything outside, especially if it involves water!

Jenea Dennis

Dean of Students

I was born and raised in NE Portland and have two children, Jaylen and Adrian who is also employeed at Ivy. They both attend(ed) school in the neighborhood. I come from a family of educators and have worked with children in PPS, HeadStart and the NIKE pre-school before coming to Ivy.

In my free time I like to cook & have catered to large events of over 300 people (including Ivy’s Annual Black History Month Celebration). I also enjoy interior decorating and have a very large shoe collection. I love to sing. As a Middle School student I sang in the No Kidding Choir and before Covid was recording and singing in my church choir.

I believe that children learn best when they are seen, heard and held to high expectations and are held accountable. I am looking forward to another great year working alongside you to enrich your child’s educational experience.

Cassondra Salazar

Administrative Specialist

I’m Cassondra Salazar (she/her), and I’m 73 years old. I’m from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and have been with The Ivy School since it opened 15 years ago. I started as just a parent volunteer but fell in love with the school and decided it was where I wanted to stay. I’ve seen the school go through so many changes and grow into a better environment for children's learning. I love the communityhere and have learned so much from both the parents and teachers.

Before joining The Ivy School, I was a foster parent for 31 years and worked as a social worker for the state of New Mexico, specializing in working with special needs kids. Children have always been a special part of my life, and I strive to be someone they can come to and feel safe with. Being part of The Ivy community has helped me grow into a better community member. In my free time, I love to crochet and spend time with my family. My lifelong goal is to start a nonprofit to help homeless people.

Bruce Courtway

Facilities Coordinator

Hi I am Bruce, I have been involved with schools, students and facilities for over 30 yrs. Most of my time was spent with the Vancouver School District. I worked as a building operator, coached high school football, wrestling, and track. I also worked 5 plus years as a para-educator. I enjoy working with staff and students, and understand the importance of a clean, safe school. I have my Bachelor’s degree from Washington State in Vancouver

I have three children and five grandchildren. I have lived in the NW all my life and have enjoyed the diversity between the mountains, rivers, ocean, and city. I am a big fan of music and sports, I attend many games ( go OSU) and concerts for entertainment. I will end my personal synopsis with my favorite quote, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

Jeremy Bayout

Lead Teacher @ Marquam Classroom

My name is Jeremy, I’ve been teaching in the Montessori way for over a decade – guiding and assisting in Children’s Houses in the Bay Area and Portland. I also have experience teaching music and directing musical theater. I’m looking forward to making our children’s house a place where every child feels welcome. When I’m not at school I enjoy gardening and long-distance running.

Caroline Halaby

Lead Teacher @ Morrison Classroom

Hi! I’m Caroline Halaby, a recent Oregon transplant having spent the last six years living and teaching in DC. I grew up in Palo Alto, CA and moved to the East Coast in 2008 to attend Davidson College, where I earned my BA in History with a Music minor. Having assisted my mother’s Art Camp many summers during high school and college, I realized that teaching was my calling. After college, I joined a Montessori school in Arlington, VA as a Primary assistant for two years. It was there that I first learned about and fell in love with all things Montessori! I realized that I wanted to work with older children, so my school sent me to get my Elementary Montessori degree (AMI) from the Washington Montessori Institute and a Master’s in Education from Loyola University of Maryland. I then returned to my school and taught in Lower Elementary for three years. While there, I also started an after-school Art class, inspired by my mom’s Art camp.

I felt a pull to return to the West Coast to be closer to family, so I made the move to Portland in July 2018…and here I am! In my free time, I enjoy wandering around new neighborhoods, watching music and comedy shows, reading, cooking, and most importantly, sampling delicious food!

Hannah Ungar

Lead Teacher @ Broadway Classroom

Hi everyone, my name is Hannah Ungar!  I began working with children in 2009 when I worked in my mother’s Montessori inspired preschool and summer camp on and off for 6 years. I didn't know it at the time, but the Montessori style would come to be tremendously impactful in my life. As I got older I spent a great deal of time nannying and tutoring. I went to college at Pacific University and received my bachelors in Anthropology. After spending my whole life being around teachers, I never thought I would end up one myself, but I ended up conducting my senior thesis on “How Private Schools create radical socio-economic gaps in the American education system”. After that, I became extremely passionate about the different forms of teaching and learned very quickly how important early education is! 

In 2020 I decided to go back to school to get my masters in Education and Teaching. I learned a great deal about the methods of Maria Montessori in my program and realized very quickly that becoming a Montessori teacher would be a long term goal of mine. I identified tremendously with the Montessori method and as a person who was not successful in a “typical” learning environment, alternative teaching methods became extremely important to me. I started my teaching career at a project based EL school in Hillsboro Oregon. After working there for three years I made the choice to travel for a while. 

After coming back from my travels, I moved into Portland and began looking for a job. My goal was to create and serve my community, this worked out and I get to ride my bike to school everyday! After joining the team at Ivy I was quickly reminded of my appreciation and respect for the Maria Montessori method and I am in the process of getting fully certified! In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, dancing at concerts, spending time with people I love, doing yoga, and eating tasty food in the sun! I am so excited to continue to grow in the Ivy community! 

Jeff Oliver

Lead Teacher @ Sauvie Island

Hello Ivy! I’m Jeff Oliver. I grew up in southeastern Massachusetts, son of a teacher and a banker. Since moving to Portland in 2005, I’ve started a family of my own: my partner Betsy, and our two children Eloise (6.5) and Oren (3) live in Northeast Portland. You might find us hiking and camping, at the farmers market, biking around town, in our garden, or at Pickathon. We love it here!

I have been working with children for most of my life, in all kinds of roles: church school helper, nanny, soccer/ultimate frisbee coach, assistant teacher, summer camp counselor… you name it, I’m likely to have done it! I went to college in New Hampshire and earned my Masters in Elementary Ed in 2005. Once in Portland, it wasn’t long before I found myself working as a Montessori Assistant. After four years in that role (both Primary and Lower El), I trained to be an Elementary Guide at Montessori Northwest in Portland. This is my ninth year teaching Lower El! I bring my loves of music and singing, wellness and fitness, drawing and nature into the classroom and the community. I’m grateful to work at a public Montessori school, and to have the chance to offer myself to my local community. I expect great things from this school year!

Sierra Vaughn

Lead Teacher @ St. Johns

My name is Sierra (she/her), and I am thrilled to be a part of the Montessori family here at The Ivy School. As a Lead Teacher, I am excited to embark on an educational journey with your child, nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning.

For the past few years, I have been fortunate to work in various capacities at Montessori schools, as well as teaching English to children aged 6 to 13 in China and South Korea. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for diverse teaching methods and the joy of witnessing the growth and development of young learners.

One of my passions lies in teaching Montessori math and history. I find immense joy in the array of materials that Montessori offers, creating endless opportunities for students to explore and manipulate concepts. I believe in a strength-based and curiosity-centered approach to education, where each child's unique abilities are celebrated and nurtured.

Having earned my Bachelor of Arts in History from Arizona State University, I find history to be a fascinating subject that can ignite a sense of wonder and understanding of our world's rich past. I aim to instill this same enthusiasm for history in my students, making it an engaging and captivating learning journey.

I am a firm believer in the Montessori method, and I am committed to creating an environment where students can develop a strong sense of independence, self-discipline, and a lifelong love for learning. I look forward to collaborating with parents and fellow educators to ensure each child's educational experience is nurturing and fulfilling.

Outside of the classroom, you can often find me exploring all the wonders Portland has to offer, particularly its culinary delights.

It is an honor to be entrusted with your child's educational journey, and I cannot wait to meet each and every one of you. Together, let's create a supportive and inspiring learning space where curiosity flourishes, and students are empowered to reach their full potential.

Frances Erlandson

Lead Teacher @ Hawthorne Classroom

Hello! My name is Frances and I am so excited to be returning to Ivy for my second year in upper elementary, and first year as lead teacher. I’m originally from Santa Monica, California and have called Northeast Portland my home for the past two years. Before moving to Portland, I lived in Green River, UT, a rural town of 800 people, where I worked as an AmeriCorps member, teaching art & literacy in the elementary school and afterschool program. After my AmeriCorps term, I moved into staff roles at two non-profits in town, taking over as the Youth Director at the community center, a specialist at a local art & design studio, and subbing at the elementary school.

After a year as an assistant teacher at Ivy, I was so inspired by the Montessori philosophy that I pursued my Montessori degree (AMS) at the West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program in New York this past summer. As a teacher, I am passionate about helping students connect with their creativity, curiosity and intuition, encouraging exploration and supporting their passions. With an educational background in poetry and architecture (B.A. Bennington College), I love integrating writing and design into self expression and storytelling. I can’t wait to bring all that I have learned back to the Ivy community this school year.  Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, running, rock climbing and exploring new neighborhoods on my bike.

Christine Rodrigues

Lead Teacher @ Sellwood

Hi there! My name is Christine Rodrigues (pronouns: they/them/theirs) and I am a Lead Teacher at the Ivy School! I love working with children of all ages, but upper elementary is my absolute favorite. I grew up in Portland, OR where I completed my Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies. I taught as an Assistant at the Ivy School before pursuing other careers such as Professional Youth Mentor and Peer Support Specialist. In 2022, I moved to Vermont to earn my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction for Middle Grades at University of Vermont. After that, I moved to Colorado where I taught at a school geared towards immigrants and refugees. I recently moved back home to Oregon and am excited to start my next chapter at the Ivy School! Outside of work, I am a competitive powerlifter, huge nerd, and nature lover. I am so grateful to be a part of the Ivy School community!

Rania Kanaan

Lead Teacher @ Ross Island Classroom

Hello, My name is Rania Kanaan and I am excited to start my second year with Ivy. I finished my undergraduate degree at Portland State University in Psychology and pursued my Masters in Education from Loyola University. I earned my Association Montessori International degree (AMI) from Montessori of Northwest in Portland. This will be my tenth year working as a teacher. I worked as a Montessori teacher for Crescent Montessori School, along with being the school director for three years. I also worked at Beaverton High School in their “Future You” program working with newcomers.

I enjoy reading, and mostly read Arabic novels, which is my native language. Apart from that, I am a proud mother of four amazing children. My 20 year old daughter is attending the University of Oregon, my 18 year old son is entering his freshman year at Willamette University, my 16 year old is a junior at West Linn High, and my youngest is beginning fifth grade.

My mission is to give each child a chance to maximize his or her own potential, through self-directed activities in a climate of mutual trust and respect. My goal is that each child leaves my class with a strong sense of self-worth, an abiding love of learning, a respect for themselves and others, and a healthy independence of action and thought. I am really looking forward to an amazing year!

Melissa Warren

Lead Teacher @ Steel Classroom

Hello! I am Melissa Warren, and I am so excited to be returning for my eighth year at Ivy! Working here has been an incredible growth and learning opportunity, and such a positive experience. I am honored and excited this year to be able to return to the classroom as the lead guide in the Steel classroom.

I have been teaching and working with children since 1998. I hold a Masters in Elementary Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and a certificate in Gifted Education. I have taught in both traditional public school as well as both private and public Montessori schools. Though I have worked with a wide range of ages, my absolute favorite age grouping is upper elementary. I am passionate about meeting social-emotional needs of my students, promoting creative problem-solving and conflict resolution. My greatest joy in teaching is helping each of my students and their families find a love for school and their community there.

I grew up in rural Kentucky (child of two music educators), and have lived in Oregon with my spouse and two children for most of the last 15 years (there was that brief return to Kentucky in 2011; you can ask me for that story sometime). I absolutely love camping and hiking here in Oregon, and return to work each fall full of new adventures to share!

Travis Eddy

Lead Teacher- Fremont Classroom

It feels so exciting to say that I am beginning my 11th year with the Ivy Middle School Program!  I have really enjoyed spending the past ten years working with very different groups of students in a wide variety of formats and settings.  I received my Masters in Teaching from Lewis & Clark College in the area of integrated science. While science will always be my first love, I really enjoy integrating curriculum across subject areas.

What I love most about Ivy is having the ability to really get to know each student and work with them to create meaningful learning experiences, and provide individualized opportunities to show what they know.  This connection with students is something that I have not experienced in other settings, and makes teaching more fun as well as more effective. Of course, the opportunity to spend lots of time out in the world, and engage students with projects helps too.

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my nine-year-old daughter, growing vegetables, scouring the wild for rocks, and petting cats.

Mark Russell

Lead Teacher (Math)

Hello, my name is Mark Russell. My wife, Wendy, and I are very happy to be in Portland and I’m excited to be teaching at The Ivy School. 

Late in the 20th century, I received a BS in Art and Graphics from Biola University. More recently, I earned my teaching credentials through Western New Mexico University and am continuing there for my MAT. In the decades between Biola and WNMU, I held a wide variety of positions, from graphic designer to newspaper editor to math tutor. As a teacher, I’ve been fortunate to work with a diverse range of students in both New Mexico and rural Oregon.

Since before the first Star Wars movie was in theaters, I’ve been building with LEGO bricks. It’s a healthy obsession. My collection has not yet become unmanageable. For a few years I was a volunteer leader of a 4-H LEGO Club. I’ve used LEGO to create pieces for several art shows and I am connected with an online community of other builders. I have used LEGO in my classrooms since 2018 and I expect that practice will continue.

I enjoy the taste of good coffee and the intelligent, witty humor of wordplay. When I’m not teaching (or creating with LEGO), you might find me exploring the city, exploring number patterns, or exploring my collection of old science fiction movies. I look forward to continuing the process of building relationships with students, their families, and the Ivy Community.

Nicholas Volger

Lead Teacher (Humanities)

My name is Nicholas Volger and this will be my first year at Ivy teaching Humanities at the middle school level, and my first experience in the Montessori setting! I moved to Portland, Oregon a little over a year ago from Portland, Maine where I taught Alternative Education and Second Grade. I graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2020 with a degree in History and was a member of the baseball team during my time there. This will be my 6th year in education and I am currently pursuing my Masters in Special Education through the University of Maine, Farmington.

Outside of school, my hobbies include watching my beloved Boston sports teams and playing golf. I am a musician and music is one of my true passions whether it involves listening to albums, playing my guitar, or going to see live music in any capacity. I am very excited for this upcoming year!

Sade Blake

Assistant Teacher

Hello!My name is Sade . I am a teacher assistant in the Children's house. I am a mother of two Kai and Lyric. My daughter attends The Ivy. I enjoy cooking, spending time with family, and reading.  I have worked with children for 10 plus years. Before coming to The Ivy I worked with infants. I also worked at the Multnomah county library for 4 years. I am so happy to be a part of The Ivy family.  

Adrian Dennis-Bell

Assistant Teacher/Basketball Coach

Hello, my name is Adrian. I'm an assistant teacher and basketball coach here at Ivy. I graduated from Grant high school in 2020. I have a passion for sports, as well as bringing our community together to form great bonds. Working at Ivy has allowed me to do so in many different ways. Being an assistant here at Ivy allows me to go through the everyday grind of school and try to help navigate the children through their journey. As a basketball coach here at Ivy I'm also able to balance teaching them life skills, as well as basketball skills. Basketball to me is much deeper than just a game. It teaches you how to work as a team and work together with people you may not necessarily get along with. It also is a way for me to show the importance of hard work and discipline. The game of basketball, just like in life, has its ups and downs. Some games you win, and some you lose, but how we deal with those outcomes and learn from them is what's important. These are just a few of the life skills that I'm able to teach the kids through the game of basketball. 

My core principle, and something I tell the kids all the time is ¨if you all become great basketball players, but not great people I failed as a coach.¨ Having the unique role of classroom teacher and Basketball coach allows for lots of fun times and memories with the kids! Outside of teaching I enjoy playing, and watching basketball. Really anything sports related I'm all for. I also love listening to tons of music and playing video games! I place high value on quality time spent with friends and family, recognizing the importance of maintaining personal relationships that enrich my life and contribute to trying to build a great community.

Myles Washington

Assistant Teacher

Hello, my name is Myles Washington. I'm an Assistant teacher and one of the school’s basketball coaches. I graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 2020 but my year was cut short due to the covid-19 outbreak. After graduating I began taking classes at PCC to work towards a general studies degree because I wasn’t quite sure what field I wanted to go into at the time. After about two terms at PCC I decided it would be best to take a break and return when they went back to in person learning because I didn’t feel like I was actually retaining the information I was being taught while trying to do it over zoom meetings. I’ve spent the last year modeling while at the same time trying to figure out what my interests and passions are, which is one of many reasons I am extremely grateful to be working at Ivy! Working at Ivy has opened my eyes to a career choice I had never thought about and am now heavily considering. I am thankful to be around such great staff and students everyday and love the new relationships being built. On my free time I like to play basketball, watch sports, and spend time with friends.

Sunshine Bender

Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Sunshine (pronouns she/her) and I’m very excited to be entering my second year at Ivy. I have been drawn to education and working with children for nearly a decade now, starting in programs at the Oregon Zoo and various childcare jobs throughout high school and college. I grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Flagstaff, Arizona for college, stayed there for six years and moved back home in 2022 to be closer to my family. 

I love all things nature related but especially rock climbing, backpacking, and biking! I am very interested in nutrition and cooking, fiber arts (especially knitting!), and curling up with a good book and my dog. 

Emma Parzybok

Assistant Teacher

Hi! My name is Emma Parzybok (She/They). I was born and raised in the pacific northwest. I am very excited to be working as a teacher assistant in the Hawthorne classroom! I’m happy to say that this will be my third year at Ivy. Being someone who went to the average public elementary school, i instantly fell in love with the Montessori way of education at The Ivy School. I have worked as an aftercare teacher with all grades, and as a lower el teacher assistant, in my time at Ivy so far. 

I believe that every child deserves a nurturing and safe environment that caters to each individual child’s needs. I hope to become a lead teacher or child psychologist in my future. I enjoy being able to provide a trusting adult for the kids to communicate to and learn from. 

I am currently studying at Portland Community College to get my bachelors degree in childhood education. 

In my free time I enjoy hiking, reading, writing and spoiling my cats! I also love camping especially at the Deschutes River and Moulton Falls.

Taylor Salazar

Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Taylor, (she/her) and I’m thrilled to begin my first full year as an assistant teacher in the St. John’s classroom at Ivy. My journey with Ivy started  very young, in 1st grade and continued through 8th grade, this school and community holds a special place in my heart. Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children of all ages through Ivy’s aftercare program, I’m passionate about the Montessori teaching style and the way it empowers children to explore and learn at their own pace. 

Outside of the classroom, I love expressing my creativity through various forms of art, including crocheting, sewing, drawing, and painting. My hope is to provide a safe space for all children, build trust with students as someone they can always come to, and create a positive learning environment.

Jordann

Learning Intervention Specialist

Hello! My name is Jordann and this will be my second year at The Ivy School. After one year at Ivy as an Assistant Teacher in Broadway class, I am excited to be transitioning to the role of Learning Intervention Specialist. 

I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology from Humboldt State University. Following graduation, I worked as a zookeeper and an outdoor education teacher, which led me to transition to a full time classroom substitute teacher position. Soon after, I began working as an early intervention specialist, supporting students academically and behaviorally. I was in that position for three years before moving to Oregon and landing at Ivy!  I’ve been working with children my whole life in many roles - as a nanny, soccer coach, teacher’s aide, private tutor, camp counselor, etc. I am passionate about helping kids grow and creating safe spaces where they can be themselves. I can't wait to contribute more to Ivy as their Learning Intervention Specialist. Outside of work, I love cooking, playing kick ball, and exploring Portland one sunny patio at a time.

Franchesca Johnson

Learning Center Support Teacher

I have two young boys ages 3 and 5 who keep me on my toes.  I love the outdoors, swimming in nearby rivers/lakes, paddleboarding, camping, reading and going to the coast for recreation and relaxation time. My family and I also love music. We try to sing everyday to keep the joy alive despite our busy schedule.

I grew up in North Portland, went to Kenton Elementary and Ockley Green Middle School. One thing I learned about myself early on in life is that I am very competitive when it comes to team sports and games whether its Crazy 8s with my 5 year old or recreational soccer.

I worked as a Paraeducator and then a Reading Educational Assistant for several of years before deciding to become a Special Education Teacher.  I earned my Masters degree from Portland State University in 2017-2019 and this is my third year teaching as Learning Center Support Specialist. 

Erin Bishop

Speech-Language Pathologist, M.S. CCC-SLP

Hello! My name is Erin Bishop and I’m the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at Ivy. I started working at Ivy during the year most of us will not forget, 2020! Working from home was nice, I had my second child in April 2020 and loved the extra snuggles, but I am delighted to work with students at school. As a SLP, I work with students in kindergarten-8th grade on improving their communication skills. Students in my office can be working on a variety of skills including: articulation (how to pronounce different sounds); stuttering; language (grammar, word use, listening, speaking,reading, writing); social communication; augmentative and alternative communication (using a

device or other ways of communication than voice); and cognitive skills.

I have attended the University of Oregon, Portland State University, and Eastern New Mexico University while obtaining an undergraduate degree inPsychology and a Masters of Science in Communication Disorders. I was born in Boston Massachusetts but call the west coast my home now, this is where I met my husband and am raising my 6 and 3 year old. In my spare time I love to read, travel, attend live music, cook and bake, go camping and explore the PNW, take my dog Chicken on walks, and garden (flowers and vegetables are my favorites).

Kelsi Kramer

Paraprofessional

I have been at Ivy for almost a year now working as Paraeducator for Portland Public Schools and I am very excited to be back. I am from Eastern Washington where I worked as a Nanny for many years which included homeschooling and various other things outside of academics. I have been living in Portland for over a year now and so far I am loving it!

When I am not working you can find me reading, hanging out with friends or singing my lungs out at the nearest show.

Teyah Reynolds

Nutrition Director

My name is Teyah Reynolds and I am the Nutrition Director here at Ivy. I am from Portland andwas raised in both NE and N Portland. I attended and graduated from De La Salle North Catholic High School in 2008 (Go Knights!). I then chose to further my education at one of the World’s leading culinary colleges, Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. I received my A.S. degree in culinary arts in 2010. Later earning my B.S. degree in culinary food service management in 2012. Triple minoring in entrepreneurship,psychology, sports and entertainment management.

I moved back to Portland and began my career at The University of Portland working for campus dining. After 10 years I found my way to my dream job here at Ivy. I have a passion for food and children. This place serves me as much as I serve it. Shortly after starting at Ivy I welcomed my first earthside child, a beautiful baby boy. His name is JoShwan and he is literally my heart outside my chest. I enjoy being his mom more than anything.