Faculty & Administration
Ali Nini
Asst. Teacher – Pre-Primary
Ali joined our teaching staff in the Spring of 2016 and she has been a wonderful addition. Ali mainly supports Miss Bola in room 4 but she can also be found with the After School care children and with our campers over the Summer. The children adore Miss Ali and we are thrilled to have her as part of the team.
Alyssa Stephens
Director – ASC
Miss Alyssa is a certified public school teacher who has been with us since the 2013 School year. She is a dedicated and compassionate teacher and the enthusiasm she has in her role is infectious. Alyssa is the Director of our After School program as well as the afternoon (3's) Head Teacher. We are grateful to have Alyssa on our faculty roster as she is a joy to work with and the children feel her warmth and compassion everyday.ous!
Angela Reilly
Director – Infant/Explorer
With her first observation of a Montessori classroom, Miss Angela knew that the Montessori teaching philosophy was the perfect fit for her. After several years as an assistant, Miss Angela received her Montessori training and certification from CMTE (Center for Montessori Teacher Education) in New York. Miss Angela has called Pennington Montessori her home base for 19 years and considers it to be a second family. Miss Angela is the proud mother of Pennington Montessori Alumni Sam and Abigail.
Bola Adeaga
Head Teacher – Pre-Primary
Miss Bola has been an integral part of Pennington Montessori for over 30 years. She brings an international flair to her classroom that children never forget. In her class Miss Bola stresses the importance of healthy mind and body and is a certified fitness instructor fitness instructor. A graduate of the AERCO Montessori Training Program, Miss Bola is the mother of three grown children including PMS graduate Olawumi and proud grandmother of 7 including 2 sets of twins!
Brianna Seals
Assistant Teacher – Toddler
Caitlin Leahy
Head Teacher – Pre-Primary
Caitlin was first introduced to the Montessori philosophy after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in English. She fell in love wth the philosophy and has been teaching in Montessori schools since 2012. She has her Montessori teaching certification from the American Montessori Society as well as a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. After observing a classroom at Pennington Montessori a few years ago, Caitlin knew she wanted to be a part of this amazing community. Caitlin joined the Pennington Montessori staff in 2021 and brings her love of learning to the classroom everyday!
Caitlyn Carman
Head Teacher – Pre-Primary
Caitlyn joined the Pennington Montessori School faculty in 2017. Caitlyn is a certified public school teacher and prior to obtaining her Montessori teaching credentials, she spent 10 years as both a 2nd grade teacher and a Kindergarten teacher in local public schools. Caitlyn is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and feels that her time at Pennington Montessori has been the most rewarding period in her career.
Diana Christensen
Executive Director
Diana joined the Pennington Montessori School family when her daughter, Aidan, was a member of the first ever Infant/Explorer class. Truth be told, Pennington Montessori School was a part of Diana's life long before. After Graduate school Diana spent a year as an Assistant Teacher before moving on to a successful career in publishing. She returned as a Front Office Assistant when Aidan joined the Infant/Explorer class as a means to spend more time with her young children before her next big career move. She fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and the Pennington Montessori Community and decided to stay! Diana is the proud parent of two Pennington Montessori School graduates, James and Aidan and fun fact: her husband, Casey, is also a graduate of Pennington Montessori! cl
Diane Hemmer
Outdoor Education
Fran Mlinar
Assistant Teacher – Pre-Primary
Jenn Devine
Asst. Teacher – I/E
Judy Briehler
Head Teacher – Pre-Primary
Miss Judy has been creating a stimulating and joyful environment for her students at Pennington Montessori for 25 years. With a background in physical fitness – a first degree black belt in Tang So Do – and the great outdoors, Miss Judy’s class can be seen running laps around the playground and looking for birds in the backyard! Recognizing the strength and individuality of each student she guides them in the long term goal reaching their full potential. Miss Judy is a graduate of the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE) and the mother of PMS graduates, Michael and Kelly.
Kathleen Hannah
Executive Director Emeritus
As a highly valued member of the school for over 30 years, Miss Kathleen has held a vast array of positions at Pennington Montessori. In 1998 as the school was beginning its move in its current location Miss Kathleen took over the helm as Director of the school, supervising and managing all aspects of the journey. With many years of insight and experience at the school she has been able to successfully guide Pennington Montessori through many changes. One of her favorite aspects of the positions is the opportunity to meet with new parents and help them through this very important start to their child’s education. Miss Kathleen is the proud mother of Casey, Danielle and Tony, all Pennington Montessori graduates.
Katie Bentz
Assistant Teacher – Toddler
Katie Bergin
Administrative Coordinator
Kristi Devall
Head Teacher – Pre-Primary
Miss Kristi brings her 20 years of teaching experience at Pennington Montessori into everything she does. Whether building a teepee for the Thanksgiving feast or conducting scientific experiments with Mentos her love of teaching is evident. An avid baker, oftentimes Miss Kristi’s class can be seen learning about the art of cooking and making many goodies that help to create the warm and homey atmosphere in the school! A graduate of PCTE, Miss Kristi is mother of PMS graduate Shea.
Kristina Eikrem
Head Teacher I/E
Miss Kristina received her Montessori Head Teacher Certification from PCTE and has been an Assistant Teacher for many years here at Pennington Montessori. Beginning in the Fall of 2019, Kristina will be the Head Teacher for our newly opened 5th Pre-Primary classroom. In her classroom, Kristina has the remarkable ability to bring to life the Montessori philosophy in fun and creative ways and her warm nature is adored by students and parents alike. We are grateful to have Miss Kristina!
Kristina Taylor
Assistant Teacher – Pre-Primary
Lauryn Gilbride
Assitant Teacher – Toddler
Luba Reese
Head Teacher – Toddler
In her 25 years at Pennington Montessori, Miss Luba has held many positions. As an assistant she discovered her love of Montessori in the toddler classrooms. After receiving her Montessori Head Teacher certification from PCTE, Miss Luba started her adventure in Home Environment. Her love of gardening, cooking, music and her Ukrainian background shine through in all of the projects and parties in her Toddler classroom! Miss Luba is the proud mother of two grown sons and 2 beautiful granddaughters.
Marcella Petruccio
Business Manager
Marcella brings 30 years of business management experience to Pennington Montessori. We have been fortunate to have her knowledge of business accounting and human resources for the past 21 years. As a vital member of the Pennington Montessori staff Marcella has been an essential component of the school by providing invaluable business management expertise. Marcella is the mother of two children. Her son Alexander is proud a graduate of PMS.
Maria Nekoranik
Head Teacher – Toddler
Miss Maria came to Pennington Montessori 27 years ago after a career in the technology field. She brings a strong belief in the importance of early childhood education to her position as a Head Teacher in Toddler. She spends her days making sure that all of the children get the head start they deserve, guided by the Montessori philosophy. A graduate of the AERCO Montessori Training Program Miss Maria is the mother of PMS graduate Ethan.
Marian Wasitowski
Assistant Teacher – I/E
Maureen Madden
Assistant Teacher
Maya Dennis
Assistant Teacher – Toddler
Michelle Spratt
Head Teacher – Toddler
Michelle joined PMS in 2015 and she has been an asset ever since! Michelle completed her training and certification while living abroad in London, England. Michelle brings a wonderfully warm spirit to the school and brings her happiness to our school each and every day! Michelle is the proud parent of two Montessori graduates--Maddy and Holden!
Mimi Ventura
Assistant Teacher – Toddler
Rachel Jones
Head Teacher – Toddler
After obtaining her degree in Psychology from West Chester University, Rachel joined the faculty as an Assistant Teacher in 2017. Rachel has trained in Infant/Explorer, Toddler and Pre-Primary and in 2023, Rachel decided to make the commitment to obtain her Montessori teaching credentials --much to the joy of her colleagues and the many families she has impacted! Rachel has a deep love for the Montessori pedagogy and a joyful approach to teaching. Families know that their little one is in great hands with Miss Rachel!
Shea McGuire
Assistant Teacher – I/E
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
Pennington Montessori School would like to introduce the members of the 2023-2024 Board of Trustees:
- Tom Liwosz, President
- Stacey Shah, Vice President
- Ali Freed, Secretary
- Tara Wildszewski, Treasurer
- Diana Christensen, Executive Director
- Erin Baldorossi, Community Partner, Chair-Parent Association
- Frank Thewes, Community Partner
- Angela Reilly, Teacher Representative
- Michelle Spratt, Teacher Representative
Discover PM
We provide a solid educational foundation in a safe, nurturing environment to foster the enthusiasm for learning that is innate in every child.
Employment
Child development is our highest goal and our staff is dedicated to help your child thrive. Come join our team!
School Calendar
Visit our events section stay up to date on Events and Activities Planned in the near future.
Admission
As the child develops his inner self, a love of life and learning follows naturally and becomes a building block for a lifetime of learning.
Programs and Tuitions
We offer educational and enriching programs from toddler through kindergarten, as well as after-school care and summer camp.