Administration

Lisa Cuomo
West Campus Director
Alyssa Dapolito
East Campus Director

Melanie White
East Campus Curriculum Director

Letty Richardson
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Sarno
West Campus Administrative Assistant
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. Teachers go 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.
Pre-Primary (18 Months - 3 Years)
Nicole Brady-Murray
Saplings Lead Teacher
Amie Miller
Saplings Assistant Teacher
Alana Hessinger
Seedlings Lead Teacher
Sarah Rhoad
Seedlings Assistant Teacher
Samantha Salerno
Sprouts Lead Teacher
Stephanie Waterman
Sprouts Assistant Teacher
Veronica Iradi
Blossoms Lead Teacher
Joanna Baird
Blossoms Assistant Teacher
Primary (3 - 6 Years)
Nicole Del Vecchio
Oak Co-Teacher
Griselda Serrano
Oak Co-Teacher
Vicky Bouvier Gardini
Willow Co-Teacher
Isabel Raese
Willow Co-Teacher
Maggie Cecchini
Willow Assistant Teacher
Jessica Tremolini
Pine Teacher
Michele Bilali
Pine Teacher
Mariana Saiz
Pine Teacher
Alex Badalamenti
Maple Co-Teacher
Melissa Davis
Maple Co-Teacher
Maria Vergara-Flores
Maple Assistant Teacher
Lower Elementary (Grades 1st – 3rd)
Jaime Holden
Mangrove Teacher
Molly Del Re
Mangrove Teacher
Brittany Daniels
Mangrove Teacher
Christina Giuliano
Mangrove Assistant Teacher
Kimberly Rolston
Banyan Teacher
Sohni Usman
Banyan Teacher
Krisitn Lippard
Banyan Assistant Teacher
Maria Diaz
Magnolia Teacher
Bonnie Kohner
Magnolia Teacher
Gigi Cuomo
Magnolia Assistant Teacher
Upper Elementary (Grades 4th – 6th)
Catherine Rueda
Sequoia Teacher
Staci Levine
Sequoia Assistant Teacher
Morgan Alonzo
Cedar Teacher
Sarah Nomikos
Cedar Assistant Teacher
Middle School
Jazly Pizzuti
Jessica Sevilla
Redwood Lead Teacher
Special Programs
Christina Rondinone
East Campus Librarian
Joanne Colisto
Reading Specialist
Veronica Fiz
Lower Elementary Spanish Teacher
Maria Toro
Upper/Middle Spanish Teacher & Aftercare Teacher
Nancy Kelly
Art Teacher
Jorge Toro
Music Teacher
Krisitn Lippard
Lower Elementary STEM Teacher
Gabe Rodriguez
STEM Teacher
Angel Lopez
Middle School Art Teacher
Alyssa Baird
Aftercare Teacher
Melina Alonzo
Aftercare Teacher
Veronica Rodriguez
Aftercare Teacher
Gabby Teller
Aftercare Teacher
Laura Dolbee
Aftercare Teacher
Campus Security
Officer Robert
East Campus