Jim Montgomery holds a B.A. in Molecular Biology from UC Berkeley, granted in 1990. After working for many years with Maybeck's neighbor, the Berkeley Free Clinic, Jim came to Maybeck in 1992 as a Health teacher. He went on to teach all levels of math and then, in 2003, to become the Business and Finance Manager. Jim is particularly interested in cooperatively-run organizations and political structures, and his Special Programs have included travel to China, Cuba, Vietnam, and France. He looks forward to visiting other communist countries.

Jim remains interested in public health and health activism. He has kept up his connection to the Free Clinic, where he has volunteered as an HIV test counselor since 1981.

Jim is also interested in urban agriculture and animal husbandry. His household is an experiment in urban sustainable food production. He and his household raise poultry, goats, and other small animals. They are able to produce most of the fruits and vegetables they eat and all of their dairy, eggs, and meat. Sadly, they do not have enough room to provide for the staple needs of their livestock. Jim also shares three llamas with two other Maybeck teachers.