The Hockessin Montessori School

TODDLER 1 (12 - 35 months)
Terri Johnson - Toddler 1 Head Teacher
Terri joined the Toddler Program in 2007.  Terri has 10 years experience as an Assistant Kindergarten Teacher and 2 years as a Lead Teacher for a 2 year old program.  Terri has a Technical Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Teacher Assisting and she took several courses at Louisiana State University.  Terri's first exposure to Montessori was through the Montessori Good Sheppard Curriculum courses in Louisiana.  In learning about the Montessori materials, she was impressed by how the materials are child size and beautiful to work with.  She learned that there is beauty in every material and presentation: so that the child finds beauty in their work, in effect gaining respect for their environment.

Heather Fletcher - Toddler 1 Assistant Teacher
Heather joined the HMS team in 2007.  She had previously worked with children for 4 years as a Pre School Teacher, Pre School After Care Provider, Pre School Camp Counselor, and Nanny.  She earned a B.S. in Sociology from Ursinus College.  After working in traditional Pre Schools, Heather is very impressed with the strong sense of independence of a Montessori child and how much the children can accomplish on their own. 


TODDLER 2 (12 - 35 months)
Valerie Nash - Toddler 2 Head Teacher
Valerie has taught at HMS since 1994.  Prior to becoming Head Teacher in 2002, she worked as a Toddler Assistant Teacher, After School Care Counselor, and Summer Camp Counselor.  She also worked for 1 year as an Assistant Teacher for 1st - 4th graders at another school.  Valerie has her AMS Infant/Toddler Credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education, as well as a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Delaware.  Valerie finds the most remarkable part of working with Montessori Toddlers is watching such tremendous growth within such a short period of time and being part of that explosion of discovery for the child.

Lotta Hecker - Toddler 2 Assistant Teacher
Lotta joined HMS in 2005 as the Toddler Assistant Teacher; in addition she also worked for a summer as the Assistant Teacher in the Young Toddler Program.  Lotta gained experience working with children through volunteer activities at her children's school and the Ronald McDonald House Room at Christiana Hospital.  Lotta also has 10 years experience as a Doctor's Assistant.  She has an Associate's Degree in General Studies from Towson University.  She believes that a Montessori child has a wonderful sense of independence and self worth.  Lotta also believes in the HMS community and enjoys being part of a group of people from different cultures and backgrounds that blend nicely together as a family.


CHILDREN'S HOUSE 2 (3 - 6 year olds)
Annick Nash - Children's House 2 Head Teacher
Annick has always been an advocate for the Montessori method of teaching.  She has been a Children's House Head Teacher at HMS since 1996 but also has 16 years experience with other Montessori Schools.  She received her AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential from the AERCO Montessori Teacher Training Program.  She also received an Associate's Degree in Business from Pierce College.  Annick believes that Montessori is the only method to use when teaching children.  Hands on learning is how information gets into their mind and how the fully comprehend what they are experiencing.  Annick enjoys the Children's House program because there is such incredible growth in the children over the 3-6 years.
 
Kathy Mannino - Children's House 2 Assistant Teacher
Kathy has been with HMS as an Assistant Teacher since 2002.  Prior to HMS, Kathy gained 10 years experience as a Teacher's Aide and Second Grade CCD Teacher.  She has an Associate's Degree in Secretarial Sciences from Pierce College.  Kathy believes the most amazing part of teaching in the Children's House program is watching the transformation as a 3 year old grows into a Kindergartener, and how all the pieces of the Montessori Children's House program come together in their Kindergarten year.


CHILDREN'S HOUSE 3 (3 - 6 year olds)
Debby Morrison - Children's House 3 Head Teacher
Debby joined HMS in 2007 as the Children's House 3 Head Teacher.  Debby taught for 14 years in Montessori schools with children in the Children's House and Primary classrooms.  In addition, Debby has 3 years experience teaching in traditional schools, Kindergarten thru Sixth grade and 10 years teaching preschoolers.  Debby completed a distance learning course in the Montessori Early Childhood (3-6) Credential from the North American Montessori Center and AMS Elementary (6-9) Credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Springs, Maryland.  She also holds a B.S. in Education from West Chester University. 

Anne Taylor - Children's House 3 Assistant Teacher
Anne began at HMS in 2004 as a Children's House Assistant Teacher.  Prior to HMS, Anne worked 3 years as a Preschool Teacher and 11 years as a Preschool Music Teacher.  


CHILDREN'S HOUSE 4 (3 - 6 year olds)
Caroline Moulsdale - Children's House 4 Head Teacher
Caroline has been a Children's House Head Teacher since 2002, and she spent 1 additional year as an Assistant Teacher.  Prior to HMS, Caroline was a Dance Director, Aquatics Director, and Fitness Director, managing the programs as well as teaching classes to children and adults.  She received her AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York.  She also received her B.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Delaware.  In addition to Head Teacher, Caroline runs the school's Dance and Drama program and is the Parent Education Director. Caroline loves teaching children in the Children’s House (3-6 year) program. She is amazed at what a child even at 3 years old can accomplish. She believes the individualized curriculum works very well with the children and is pleased to have wonderful parents that are eager to learn and be part of our community.

Neeru Ahuja - Children's House 4 Assistant Teacher
Neeru joined HMS in 2006 as the Toddler 2 Assistant Teacher, today she is the Children's House 4 Assistant Teacher.  She has 4 previous years experience as a Toddler Assistant Teacher.  Neeru has a B.S. in Economics from SVC in India and an Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandising from FIT in New York.  Neeru says she loves everything about Montessori and really enjoys working in the Children’s House classroom.  Her favorite Montessori statement is "Follow the Child".  She appreciates that each child works at their own pace with their own individual interest and their work is child directed not teacher directed empowering their love of learning.


LOWER ELEMENTARY 1 (First, Second, Third Grade)
Alison Gaito - Lower Elementary 1 Head Teacher
Alison joined HMS in 1997, she was a Toddler Assistant Teacher before becoming the Lower Elementary Head Teacher.  She has her Montessori training in AMS Elementary I (6-9) Training from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.  Alison also holds a B.S. Animal Science from the University of Kentucky and did the Graduate of Medical Technology Program - University of Delaware.

Jamie Camp - Lower Elementary 1 Assistant Teacher
Jamie joined HMS in 2005.  He spent one year as the Middle School Assistant Teacher and then moved into the Primary program as the Assistant Teacher.  Prior to HMS, Jamie gained his experience working with children as the Assitant After School Director and the Director of Middle School Summer Camp.  Jamie has completed the Montessori Philosophy and Assistant's Training.  He recently completed his B.S. Degree and his Master's Degree in Education from Wilmington University.  He also has an Associates Degree in General Studies.


LOWER ELEMENTARY 2 (First, Second, Third Grade)
Shamima Campwala - Lower Elementary 2 Head Teacher
Shamima has been with HMS since 1994.  She was a Children's House Head Teacher for 12 years before moving into the Lower Elementary program as a Head Teacher.  She has her Montessori training AMS Elementary (6-9) Credential - Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies and AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential - AERCO Montessori Teacher Training Program.  In addition, Shamima has a B.A. Child Psychology and Sociology.

Stewart Hawkins - Lower Elementary 2 Head Teacher
Stewart joined the HMS community in 2003 as a Elementary Head Teacher.  Prior to HMS he has 8 years experience as a Montessori Elementary Teacher.  Stewart recieved his AMS Elementary I (6-9) Credential and his AMS Elementary II (9-12) Credential both from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education.  He also has a B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Delaware.  


UPPER ELEMENTARY (Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Grade)
Karin Nagle - Upper Elementary Head Teacher
Karin is returning to us as the Elementary teacher after 6 years of teaching 3rd and 6th grade students in the public school system. She received her  Undergraduate degree is in Counseling from Pepperdine College and her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Wilmington University. Karin previously worked at HMS as a 6-9 teacher for 3 years.  She received her Montessori 6-9 teaching credential from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Karin believes that the Montessori programs educates the whole child, and teach them to be productive, responsible adults with an appreciation for the earth and the people who came before them.

Victoria Gokdemir - Upper Elementary Head Teacher
Victoria joins HMS this year as the Elementary teacher. In addition to her teaching, she has created the school's behavior management program, developed and executed the after-school enrichment program, coached cross country and served as a guidance counselor.  Victoria also taught several grades in a local private lower school. Victoria graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wilmington University with a B.S. in Elementary Education.


MIDDLE SCHOOL (Seventh, Eighth Grade)
Natalie Marchiani M.Ed. - Middle School Director
Natalie joined HMS in 2003.  Before becoming the Middle School Director, she was an Elementary Head Teacher for 3 years.  Prior to HMS, Natalie has 7 more years experience as a Montessori Elementary Head Teacher, in addition to her roles as a Children's House Assistant Teacher, Summer Camp Director, and Toddler Before and After School Care Counselor.  She has her AMS Secondary (12-15) Credential - Houston Montessori Center, AMS Elementary II (9-12) Credential - Center for Montessori Teacher, AMS Elementary I (6-9) Credential - Center for Montessori Teacher.  She has her M.Ed. School Leadership - Wilmington College.  She has her B.S. Elementary Education - West Chester University


ENRICHMENT
Patti Connell - Art Teacher
Patti began at HMS in 1995.  Before becoming the HMS Librarian, Patti gained 13 years of experience in the Education field as Primary Assistant Teacher, Art Teacher, Third Grade Teacher, Special Education Resource Room Teacher, Director of a Day Care, and an Education Specialist.  She has a B.S. in Child Development from University of Delaware.  Patti believes that a Montessori child can progress at their own ability and speed. She enjoys the practical life aspect of the Montessori program.

Dan Zakrociemski - Physical Education Teacher
Dan joined HMS in 2002 and has over 10 years experience as a Sports Director, Sports Camp Instructor and has also substituted as the Physical Education Teacher.  He has coached our HMS Hawks Basketball Team since 2003.   

Becky Gilliam - Technology Teacher
Becky Gilliam joined HMS in 2008, though she is not new to the HMS community. Her children have been attending the school since 2006. Prior to HMS, Becky worked for 10 years as an eLearning developer in Washington, DC and 8 years as a network administrator for the University of Virginia. Throughout her career, teaching has always played a large role, and Becky has more than 25 years experience teaching at all levels from toddler through adult learners. She earned a BA in English with teacher certification in English and French from Wesleyan University, an MA in English from the University of Virginia, and an MLIS from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition, Becky was a Montessori child herself, and attended Montessori school in the 1960s and 70s. Her favorite things about the Montessori Method are the emphasis on exploration, the self-correcting nature of the materials, and the built-in understanding that not all children learn in the same way or at the same rate.

Ashley Reeves - Spanish Teacher
Ashely joined the team here at HMS in 2006 as the Children's House, Elementary and Middle School Spanish Teacher.  She has over 9 years as Spanish Teacher for children 3 years through 8th grade and experience as the "ESL" English as a Second Language Teacher for children and adults in Mexico and "ESL" Teacher for children in Ecuador.  She holds a B.S in Spanish and Sociology from Hollins College.

Kristin Lucente - LibraryTeacher
Kristin joined HMS in 2008 and now teaches Library skills to Kindergarten and Elementary Students.

Laura Hannagan - Music Teacher
Mary Kate joined HMS as the Music Teacher in 2008 and now teaches music and movement to our Toddlers, Children's House, Elementary, and Middle School Students.   

Mary Kate Newell - Music Teacher
Mary Kate joined HMS as the Music Teacher in 2004 and she now teaches steel drums to the Middle School students.  She has over 8 years experience as a Piano Instructor, Preschool through 8th grade Music Teacher, Adjunct Professor of Music - University of Delaware.  She also holds a B.M.E. in Music Education from the University of Delaware.