Faculty

Teacher Excellence

The Montessori teacher functions as 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 growth, with a respect for each child’s unique learning styles and interests. It is the Montessori teacher who 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 a teacher 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. 

It is the responsibility of the teacher to create a positive energy in a non-threatening environment, have the ability to relinquish control, and empower 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.

UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES 4TH – 6TH

Faith Dawson

Sequoia Co-Teacher

Jazly Pizzuti

Sequoia Co-Teacher

Catherine Rueda

Cedar Co-Teacher

Morgan Alonzo

Cedar Co-Teacher

LOWER ELEMENTARY GRADES 1ST – 3RD

Sohni Usman

Banyan Co-Teacher

Lynne Avvenire

Mangrove Lead Teacher

Christina Johnson

Magnolia Co-Teacher

Christy Escoto

Banyan Co- Teacher

Molly Del Re

Mangrove Assistant Teacher

Mila Ilincic

Magnolia Co-Teacher

Jennifer Gallagher

Assistant Teacher

PRIMARY 3 – 6 YRS

PRE-PRIMARY 18 MOS-3 YRS

Cathy Gionfriddo

Blossoms Lead Teacher

Nicole Brady-Murray

Saplings Lead Teacher

Amie Miller

Seedlings Lead Teacher

Mary Mendella

Sprouts Lead Teacher

Joanna Bair

Blossoms Assistant Teacher

Amanda Berroteran

Saplings Assistant Teacher

Alana Hessinger

Seedlings Assistant Teacher

Ma’ili Cruce

Sprouts Assistant Teacher

Alex Badalamenti

Maple Co-Teacher

Nicole Del Vecchio

Oak Co-Teacher

Jessica Tremolini

Pine Teacher

Vicky Bouvier Gardini

Willow Co-Teacher

Brianna Vice

 Maple 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

Science/STEM

Christine Lovelace

STEM 1st – 6th

Library

Sylvana Hernandez

Library East Campus

Reading

Joanne Colisto 

Reading Specialist

Foreign Language

Veronica Fiz

Lower El. Spanish Teacher

Foreign Language

Mariana Saiz

Upper El. Spanish Teacher

Art

Nancy Kelly

Art Teacher

Music

Jorge Toro

Music Teacher