Mariann grew up in the small, rural community of Yoder, Oregon – a great-great-grandchild of the first Yoders to settle there.  She enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the farm and learned very early to appreciate the importance and value of true community.

Mariann has a BA in German from Linfield College and has studied at universities in both Austria and Germany.  She returned from her years living abroad to teach preschool and kindergarten at the German American School of Portland and also spent 12 years working at Canby Public Library prior to becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first child.

Now that both of her children are in the Grades, Mariann looks forward to again combining her loves of children, education, information and community support in her role as Operations Manager at Swallowtail.