East Campus Administration

Alyssa Dapolito

School Director

East Campus Director

Ms. Alyssa has been a valued member of the Turtle River Montessori community since 2017 and currently serves as School Director. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education as well as a MACTE-accredited Primary Montessori certification. She is deeply passionate about Montessori education and is guided by the philosophy’s principles.

Melanie Maltby

Director of Curriculum

East Campus Curriculum Director

Ms. Melanie joined Turtle River Montessori in 2023 and serves as Curriculum Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from Brighton University and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Gordon College. She is passionate about hands-on Montessori learning and is guided by the philosophy’s emphasis on independence.

Maggie Cecchini

Administrative Support

Ms. Maggie joined Turtle River Montessori in 2023 as a classroom assistant and became an Administrative Assistant in 2025, bringing her background in Elementary Education from Buffalo State College and a strong passion for learning. She especially enjoys the Montessori Snake Game for its fun, engaging approach to math and is guided by the philosophy of fostering responsibility and independence in every child.

West Campus Administration

Stephanie Sarno

West Campus Administrative Assistant

Lisa Cuomo

West Campus Director

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. 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.

East Campus Pre-Primary (18 Months - 3 Years)

Nicole Brady-Murray

Saplings Lead Teacher

Ms. Nicole has been a Pre-Primary Lead Teacher at Turtle River Montessori since 2018, holding an A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indian River State College and a MACTE-accredited Infant and Toddler certification from SMTTI. She especially enjoys toddler practical life lessons for fostering independence and confidence, guided by the Montessori philosophy of supporting children as they learn and grow on their own.

Fer Arroyo

Saplings Assistant

Ms. Fer joined Turtle River Montessori in 2025 as a Pre-Primary Assistant Teacher and holds a 45-hour DCF Childcare certification. She is passionate about Practical Life lessons, especially spooning activities, and is guided by the Montessori philosophy that self-sufficient children are happy.

Stephanie Waterman

Sprouts Lead Teacher

Ms. Stephanie has been part of Turtle River Montessori since 2021, returning in 2024, and currently serves as a Pre-Primary Lead Teacher with MACTE certification in Montessori education. She especially enjoys Circle Time for fostering group learning and engagement, guided by the Montessori philosophy of showing children how to do things so they can learn independently.

Kelly Arboleda

Sprouts Assistant

Ms. Kelly joined Turtle River Montessori in 2026 as a Pre-Primary Assistant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Vargas University along with an Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Diploma from the Prepared Montessorian Institute. She especially enjoys the Pink Tower lesson for developing children’s visual perception and concentration, guided by the Montessori philosophy of fostering independence: “Help me to do it alone.”

Veronica Iradi

Blossoms Lead Teacher

Ms. Veronica joined Turtle River Montessori in January 2025 as a Pre-Primary Lead Teacher and holds a MACTE-accredited Nido & Toddler certification from the Prepared Montessori Institute. She especially enjoys food preparation lessons for fostering focus and independence, guided by the Montessori philosophy of giving children the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.

Esther Loew

Blossoms Assistant

Ms. Esther joined Turtle River Montessori in 2025 as a Pre-Primary Assistant Teacher and holds an Interior Design Certificate from Palm Beach State College while completing her 45-hour childcare credential. She especially enjoys gardening lessons for teaching children responsibility and joy through caring for living things, guided by the Montessori philosophy that contact with nature reveals their strength.

Alana Hessinger

Seedlings Lead Teacher

Ms. Alana first joined Turtle River Montessori in 2022 as a classroom assistant, and became a Pre-Primary Lead Teacher in 2024. She holds a MACTE-accredited Infant and Toddler certification from MATI. Ms. Alana is inspired by the Montessori philosophy: “In these times, more than ever before, our hope is that education will offer an aid to better the condition of the world.”

Sara Rhoad

Seedlings Assistant

Sara joined TRM in 2024 and serves as a Pre-Primary assistant. She career started in the medical field as she has her Associate’s degree and is a certified EMT and BLS certified. Sara’s passion for wanting to make a difference in the lives of others translated beautifully when she came to Turtle River and she has completed her 45 hour DCF childcare credential.

East Campus Primary (3 - 6 Years)

Nicole Del Vecchio

Oak Room Co-Teacher

Ms. Nicole joined Turtle River Montessori in Fall 2020 as a Primary Co-Lead Teacher and holds degrees in Elementary Education and Education from Shippensburg University and Walden University, along with Montessori certification from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She especially enjoys the Moveable Alphabet for building early writing skills and is guided by the Montessori philosophy of recognizing and nurturing the potential in every child.

Griselda Serrano

Oak Co-Teacher

Ms. Griselda joined Turtle River Montessori in 2021 and serves as a Primary Lead Teacher. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from Florida Atlantic University and an Early Childhood Montessori Certificate from The Institute of Montessori Training in Bozeman, MT. Ms. Griselda especially enjoys the Sandpaper Letters lesson, as it engages multiple senses and marks an exciting first step in a child’s journey to reading.

Hannah Smith

Oak Room Assistant

Hannah joined TRM in 2023 as a Pre-Primary assistant for two years, and has now joined the Primary department as a classroom assistant. She also supported our students in aftercare! Hannah has completed her 45 hour DCF Childcare credential and annual Conscious Discipline training!

Amanda Berroteran

Willow Room Co-Teacher

Ms. Amanda Berroteran joined Turtle River Montessori in August 2023, first as a classroom assistant and then becoming a Primary Lead Teacher in 2025. She is a MACTE-accredited, AMS-affiliated Montessori teacher for Primary ages 3–6. She is inspired by Maria Montessori’s words: “Abstraction is possible only after concrete experience.”

Vicky Bouvier Gardini

Willow Co-Teacher

Ms. Vicky Gardini joined Turtle River Montessori in 2020 as a Primary Lead Teacher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from ORT University in Montevideo, Uruguay, along with a MACTE certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She especially loves the Language area—watching children grow from letter sounds to reading their first words—and is guided by the Montessori philosophy of fostering responsibility and independence.

Melissa Davis

Maple Co-Teacher

Ms. Melissa joined Turtle River Montessori in 2024 as a Primary Lead Teacher and holds degrees in Early Childhood Education from Louisiana State University and Southern Methodist University, along with Montessori certification from the Shelton Training Center. She is especially passionate about the Trinomial Cube for its reflection of core Montessori principles and is guided by the philosophy of nurturing each child’s natural desire to learn.

Louise Salcedo

Maple Assistant Teacher

Ms. Louise joined Turtle River Montessori in January 2026 as a Primary Assistant Teacher and holds a law degree from Universidad José María Vargas along with her DCF 45-hour childcare credential. She especially enjoys the Sandpaper Letters lesson for building strong reading and writing foundations and is guided by Maria Montessori’s philosophy of fostering independence in every child.

Alex Badalamenti

Maple Co-Teacher

Ms. Alex has been a valued member of Turtle River Montessori since 2010 and serves as a Primary Lead Teacher, holding an Associate’s degree from Pine Manor College and a Montessori certification from the North American Montessori Center. She is especially passionate about the Sandpaper Letters lesson for its role in building foundational skills and a love of learning, and is inspired by Maria Montessori’s belief in the potential within every child.

West Campus Primary (3 - 6 Years)

Michele Bilali

Pine Teacher

Mariana Saiz

Pine Teacher

Jessica Tremolini

Pine Teacher

West Campus Lower Elementary (Grades 1st – 3rd)

Jaime Holden

Mangrove Teacher

Molly Del Re

Mangrove Assistant Teacher

Brittany Daniels

Mangrove 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

West Campus Upper Elementary (Grades 4th – 6th)

Catherine Rueda

Sequoia Teacher

Staci Levine

Sequoia Assistant Teacher

Morgan Alonzo

Cedar Teacher

Sarah Nomikos

Cedar Assistant Teacher

West Campus Middle School

Jazly Pizzuti

Redwood Lead Teacher

Jessica Sevilla

Redwood Lead Teacher

Jacqueline Kolanovic

Support Teacher

East Campus Aftercare

Gabby Teller

Aftercare Teacher

Ms. Gabby joined Turtle River Montessori in 2024 and works in the Primary program as part of the Aftercare staff, having completed DCF Child Care training through the Florida Department of Children and Families. She especially enjoys Practical Life activities like pouring and transferring, finding joy in helping children build independence and confidence, guided by the Montessori principle of fostering self-reliance.

Cathy Cross

Aftercare Teacher

Ms. Cathy has been part of Turtle River Montessori since 2011, returning in 2024 to serve as a Floater across Pre-Primary, Primary, and Aftercare programs, and holds a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University along with Montessori certification for ages 0–3 through NAMC and Music Together LLC certification. She especially enjoys the Sound Box lesson for helping children connect sounds and develop language skills, guided by the belief that love is the most potent force.