Administration
Lisa Cuomo
West Campus Director
Alyssa Dapolito
East Campus Director
Melanie White
East Campus Curriculum Director
Cari Averill
East Campus Assistant Director
Dawn Caruso
Curriculum Coordinator
Thomas White
Administrative Assistant
Letty Richardson
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.
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.
Lower Elementary Grades 1st – 3rd
Jaime Holden
Mangrove Lead Teacher
Molly Del Re
Mangrove Teacher
Bonnie Kohner
Magnolia Lead Teacher
Sohni Usman
Banyan Lead Teacher
Kimberly Rolston
Banyan Teacher
Krisitn Lippard
Banyan Assistant Teacher
Naomi Soto
Mangrove Assistant Teacher
Jennifer Gallagher
Magnolia Assistant Teacher
Christina Giuliano
Magnolia Assistant Teacher
Upper Elementary Grades 4th – 6th
Jazly Pizzuti
Sequoia Teacher
Catherine Rueda
Sequoia/Cedar Co-Teacher
Morgan Alonzo
Cedar Co-Teacher
Pre-Primary 18 Mos-3 Yrs
Nicole Brady-Murray
Saplings Lead Teacher
Amie Miller
Seedlings Lead Teacher
Mary Mendella
Sprouts Lead Teacher
Joanna Bair
Blossoms Lead Teacher
Hannah Smith
Blossoms Assistant Teacher
Amanda Berroteran
Saplings Assistant Teacher
Alana Hessinger
Seedlings Assistant Teacher
Ma’ili Cruce
Sprouts Assistant Teacher
Alex Badalamenti
Maple Co-Teacher
Primary 3 - 6 Yrs
Nicole Del Vecchio
Oak Co-Teacher
Jessica Tremolini
Pine Teacher
Vicky Bouvier Gardini
Willow Co-Teacher
Griselda Serrano
Oak Co-Teacher
Mariana Saiz
Pine Teacher
Isabel Raese
Willow Co-Teacher
Maria Vergara-Flores
Maple Assistant Teacher
Michele Bilali
Pine Teacher
Maggie Cecchini
Willow Assistant Teacher
Special Programs
Sylvana Hernandez
Library East Campus
Joanne Colisto
Reading Specialist & Media Teacher
Veronica Fiz
Lower El. Spanish Teacher
Jazly Pizzuti
Upper El. Spanish Teacher
Nancy Kelly
Art Teacher
Jorge Toro
Music Teacher
Krisitn Lippard
Lower El. STEM Teacher
Gabe Rodriguez
STEM Teacher