Administration & Faculty - Turtleriver Montessori

Administration

Lisa Cuomo

West Campus Director

Alyssa Dapolito

East Campus Director

Melanie White

East Campus Assistant Director

Maureen Johnson

West Campus Administrative Assistant

Jamie Cleary

East Campus Administrative Assistant

Leticia Richardson

West Campus Operations Coordinator

Faculty

Teacher Excellence

The Montessori teacher is a guide, role model, demonstrator, record keeper, and meticulous observer of each child’s behavior and growth. Like the teacher’s students, the teacher is an active and curious learner. The Montessori teacher showcases a delight in continual inquiry and development, with respect for each child’s unique learning styles and interests. The Montessori teacher prepares the active, developmentally appropriate learning environment furnished with specially designed materials where students explore, discover, and experience the joy of learning.

The Montessori teacher goes through a comprehensive course of study of approximately 1,200 hours of instruction to prepare them to be a highly-skilled, highly qualified Montessori teacher. Teachers must demonstrate their ability to create Montessori materials for all subjects and participate in classroom observations and supervised teaching.

In their last year, student teachers complete a teaching practicum in which they intern as teachers with a certified Montessori facility. A Montessori Lead Teacher (Directress) must have Montessori credentials.
Assistant Teachers must have their High School Diploma and additional training. Instructional Coordinators must have a Masters Degree and teaching experience.

The teacher is responsible for creating positive energy in a non-threatening environment, relinquishing control, and empowering children to build themselves day after day. Turtle River Montessori takes pride in our highly qualified Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers with a broad range of backgrounds, and we are fortunate to have them as part of the Turtle River family.