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.
Assistant Teachers must have their High School Diploma and additional training. Instructional Coordinators must have a Masters Degree, teaching experience, and Montessori certification.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to create a positive energy in a non-threatening environment, have the ability to relinquish control and instead 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.
JR. HIGH SCHOOL / POINCIANA
Brigit Capaldi
Integrated Studies

UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES 4TH – 6TH

Sarah Dixon
Cypress Co-Teacher

Jazly Pizzuti
Cedar Co-Teacher

Christine Lovelace
Cypress 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

Joanna Thatcher
Mangrove Assistant Teacher

Mila Ilincic
Magnolia Co-Teacher

Kathleen Barbosa
Banyan Assistant Teacher
PRIMARY 3 – 6 YRS
PRE-PRIMARY 18 MOS-3 YRS

Samantha Salerno
Blossoms Lead Teacher

Nicole Brady-Murray
Saplings Lead Teacher

Courtney Reed
Seedlings Lead Teacher

Ana- Nicole Valdes
Sprouts Lead Teacher

Joanna Bair
Blossoms Assistant Teacher

Melissa Arango
Saplings Assistant Teacher

Amie Miller
Seedlings Assistant Teacher

Amanda Steigerwald
Sprouts Assistant Teacher

Alex Badalamenti
Maple Co-Teacher

Nicole Del Vecchio
Oak Co-Teacher

Monique Roy Whitcomb
Pine Teacher

Vicky Bouvier Gardini
Willow Co-Teacher

Brianna Vice
Maple Co-Teacher

Griselda Serrano
Oak Co-Teacher

Mariana Saiz
Pine Teacher

Brianna MacLeod
Willow Co-Teacher

Maria Vergara-Flores
Maple Assistant Teacher

Alana Hessinger
Willow Assistant Teacher
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Science/STEM

Emily Howard
Science 4th – 8th
STEM 1st – 3rd
Library

Sylvana Hernandez
Library East Campus
Reading

Sara Medina
Reading Specialist
Foreign Language

Veronica Fiz
Lower El. Spanish Teacher
Art and Spanish

Emily Vredevelt
Art 1st – 3rd
Spanish 4th – 8th
Music/Band

Jill Carbone
West Campus Music/Band Teacher