ABOUT HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI
HPMS was founded by a team of educators interested in creating a positive learning community where the Best Practices in Montessori and Early Childhood education are implemented.
Samantha,Founder and Head of School, has a M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Columbia University's Teachers College (New York, NY), a MA in Teaching from Trinity College (Washington, DC), a Montessori Early Childhood Teaching credential from The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies (Silver Spring, MD) and a B.A. in Psychology from Denison University (Granville, OH). Samantha is State Certified as an Administrator and Teacher, and has over 15 years of combined experience as a Montessori educator in both public and private school settings. Samantha is also an Instructor, Field Consultant and Evaluator at The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, and a Field Consultant for West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program in New York City. She lives in the Hamilton Park neighborhood with her husband and son.
Sue, Program Director, , has a Primary/Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential from the St. Nicholas Training Centre and a BA in Business Administration and Psychology from Bernard M. Baruch College (CUNY). Sue brings to the HPMS community much experience as a Teacher Educator and Instructor, Field Consultant and Supervising Teacher. She has 23 years of Montessori teaching experience as a classroom teacher and served as Program Director for the Montessori Teacher Training Institute of New Jersey, a Montessori teacher training program, for 9 years. She is married to her husband of thirty-three years and has three grown daughters. Some of her interests include a love of the outdoors, cooking, boating and her golden retrievers.
Tiffany, Literacy Specialist, is entering her 7th year of working with children as a Kindergarten Teacher, Second Grade Teacher, and Reading Specialist. In addition, Tiffany worked as an Assistant Montessori Teacher for 2 years during college. Tiffany has a MA as a Reading Specialist and a BS in Elementary Education with a focus on Reading. She is State Certified to teach K – Grade 12.
Cynthia, Elementary Teacher, has over 15 years of experience as a Kindergarten Teacher and Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher. Cynthia has a MA in Education from Hunter College, a BA in Education from the University of Massachusetts and a Montessori Lower Elementary Teaching Certificate from Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY. Cynthia is State Certified to teach Pre K – Grade 6.
Beth, Elementary Teacher, is joining HPMS from Seattle, Washington where she was recruited to teach in the public schools from Xavier University. Beth received her BA in Montessori Education from Xavier University; she is State and Montessori Certified to teach Pre K – Grade 3. Beth plans to begin her MA in Montessori Education at Xavier University in the summer program of 2010 (a summer program that allows teachers to work during the school year).
Hansang, Early Childhood Teacher, is entering his 13th year of teaching. He received his MA in Montessori Education from Xavier University, where he also received his Lower Elementary Montessori Teaching Certificate. Hansang received his Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate in South Korea. He is State Certified to teach Pre K – Grade 6.
LaLa, Early Childhood Teacher, has a MA in Teaching from New York University (New York, NY), an Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential from West Side Montessori Teacher Education Program (New York, NY) and a BA in Sociology from Fu-Jen University (Taiwan). Before joining HPMS, LaLa worked for five years in New York City, and was a teacher in Taiwan for five years.
Michele, Early Childhood Teacher, received her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (Princeton, NJ), and a BA in English from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). Before joining HPMS, Michele taught for 11 years in public charter and private Montessori settings. Her interests include cooking, running, swimming, biking, soap making, and geography.
Colleen, Early Childhood Teacher, is entering her 5th year as a Montessori Lead Teacher. Colleen received her BS in Psychology from St. Peter’s College and her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY. Colleen has a 1 year old son.
Annie, Early Childhood Teacher, is returning to Montessori education after working in the corporate world for 9 years. Before joining the corporate world, Annie ran her own Montessori program in her home for 8 years. She has a BS in Business Organization Management and a Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Certificate.
Kristi, Early Childhood Teacher, received her Early Childhood Montessori teaching credential from Princeton Center for Montessori Education, and a BS in Visual Arts Education/Ceramics from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Kristi is state certified to teach K-12. Before joining HPMS, Kristi was the Lead Creative Arts Teacher at Hands On!, an early childhood art and music program in Manhattan. Kristi’s interests include animals, ceramics and art.
Anna, Early Childhood Teacher, received her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program (New York, NY). Before joining HPMS in 2006, Anna had a career in the local art world. Her interests include music, dancing, cooking and eating.
Lauren, Music Teacher, was a music teacher at The Bank Street School for Children in Manhattan, the Montessori Children's House in Morristown and the Neighborhood School in Manhattan before joining HPMS to develop the Music Program. She is one of the co-founders of the award winning Teaneck Cultural Arts Coalition, sits on the Advisory Board for the Puffin Cultural Forum, and serves as the Production Manager and Grants Coordinator for the Teaneck Community Chorus. Please visit www.musicallegends.biz for more information.
Michelle, Creative Movement Teacher, has worked in Montessori environments for 5 years, and has been teaching dance and creative movement to students aged 3- 17 years for 15 years. Michelle has a BFA in Dance from Rutgers University, and is certified to teach children’s Yoga through Karma Kids.
Ashley, Art Teacher, comes to HPMS with experience as an Art and Literacy Teacher from both the private and public school sector. She is also an Illustrator of children's books and a Photographer. Ashley received her BFA in Film from New York University and shows her art work through out the area. Please visit www.ashleylucas.com for more information.
