Ms. Torrence has over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in Montessori education, including serving as Principal of the Xavier University Montessori Lab School and founding/administering Our Children’s Center in State College, PA. She was most recently the Director of Toddler and Primary Programs at Cambridge Montessori School in Cambridge, MA. Ms. Torrence served on the American Montessori Society Board of Directors for 11 years, serving as Teachers’ Section Chair, on the Executive Committee, and as Board President. Martha is a sought-after teacher trainer and speaker, having presented trainings and conference sessions in 22 states and 5 countries. She has written award-winning articles on her research topic, play. Martha currently serves as Board Vice President for the Montessori Schools of MA.

Jean Anderson joined Summit in 2002. After teaching a 3-year cycle with children ages 3-6, she moved to the Lower Elementary classroom and has found a perfect match. She believes that the Montessori fundamentals that she taught in Children’s House have given her teaching the breadth and foundation for children’s transition into the more demanding curriculum of Lower Elementary. The clarity and logic of the math materials, in particular, stand out in Jean’s mind as a symbol of just how effective Montessori learning can be. Jean weaves her skills and love of gardening, reading, and writing stories into works and lessons. She believes that children and nature are intertwined and works to foster that link both inside and outside the classroom. Jean seeks out and celebrates the unique in the world and her individual students and inspires children to do the same. Yoga helps Jean balance the elements of her busy classroom and individual student priorities.

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Nora is a certified language instructor who learned about the Montessori philosophy when her three children attended Montessori schools. She completed Montessori training at Northeast Montessori Institute and has 23 years experience working with young children including 8 years experience at Newton Montessori (and its predecessor, Educare) and 6 years at Wellesley Montessori School. She brings terrific experience and enthusiasm to the position of Beginners Lead Teacher.

Hiral is excited to join the Summit community. She earned her AMS Early Childhood credential from NEMTEC and has worked for 12 years in the Montessori education system. “The freedom given to the child to explore a new concept using concrete materials at his/her own pace” is what attracted Hiral to the Montessori philosophy. Before earning her AMS credential she taught math and computers to students in India. She feels that a student’s joy of learning depends on how the subject is introduced to him/her. Hiral enjoys every moment spent with the young minds nurturing their curiosity and quest of learning. In her free time, she loves exploring the beauty of nature by going on hikes, taking long scenic drives, and capturing some glorious sunrises in her lens. She enjoys reading books and listening to music. “Live in the moment at the fullest” is her life motto.

Jackie has spent a lifetime learning, practicing, writing, teaching, and performing music. As a Berklee College of Music student and administrative staff member for over 10 years, Jackie has a genuine drive for the teaching and appreciation of music. During her first year at Summit she embraced the Montessori philosophy and is thrilled to begin her second year here. Jackie has begun the study of specific music methods such as Dalcroze, Eurhythmics, Orff, and Kodaly, in order to incorporate these important methods into her teaching style. Jackie thoroughly enjoys learning, honing, and applying her newfound materials into her lessons. In 2002, Jackie created "Minizicians", an original children's music program for the Community Music School in Leominster, MA. Jackie is a member of two children's bands, "Super Cool Beans" and "The Green Apple Kids". Jackie brings a true spirit and love for music and its importance to our chidlren in their daily lives. Jackie says "I have the best jo in the world, teaching one of the most enjoyable subjects to the most important and value members of our human race, our children".

Liz, an alumni parent, joined Summit in 2012 as an assistant teacher. In 2013 she decided to pursue her deep interest in the Montessori method and enrolled in the Northeast Montessori Institute. That year she served in Children’s House 3 as an assistant teacher/intern and worked in the After Care program. In June 2014 she completed her training and received her AMS credential. She is currently a Teacher in Children’s House 3. No stranger to Summit, Liz has been volunteering her time to coordinate the Box Tops for Education and recycling programs at Summit for over eight years. She previously worked as a Securities Law attorney at Sun Life Financial.

After working in both corporate and public accounting, Sherri pursued her interest in the field of education and joined Summit Montessori in 2003. She enjoys being active in independent school professional organizations. She has presented at a National Association of Independent Schools conference, served as a faculty member at the National Business Officer Association’s Summer Institute, and has worked as a consultant to independent schools. In 2011, Sherri was awarded the Will Hancock Unsung Hero Award which is awarded by the National Business Officers Association to top independent school business leaders based on nominations by Heads of School and Boards of Trustees.

Katrina O’Gahan joins CH1 in September 2017 as Co-Teacher after completing the major portion of the academic phase of her teacher training at Northeast Montessori Teacher Training Institute this past summer.  After working in our Children’s House and Beginner classrooms as a substitute teacher and lunch helper last year, Katrina impressed the administration and other teachers at Summit with her natural manner, her intelligent responses to children, her ability to maintain a positive and calm demeanor in a wide range of situations, and her ability to “read” the room and notice in great detail what children were doing and how their personalities were shining through. She is able to redirect children’s behaviors in a positive and productive way.

Katrina will complete her internship under the supervision of CH1 teacher Lumpoon Sungkharom. 

Katrina brings organizational skills from her years of work as an office and retail manager; she has been a personnel supervisor and has run her own costume design business. Katrina is a gymnast, an amazing artist, and a seamstress. She feels that her years as a stay-at-home mom have cultivated in her a deep love of the child and of each child’s unique gifts to the world. She wrote:

 In the Montessori Method, I see a method that appreciates diverse personalities and their unique learning trajectories, a method that supports children so that they can become confident, caring, considerate stewards of our society and planet. I believe not only in supporting the child but supporting the community that supports that child, because harmony fosters harmony.

Tyra managed a local children’s museum prior to pursuing a career as a Montessori teacher. She has over twenty years of experience working with children, seventeen of those in Montessori. Tyra is delighted to work with Summit’s dedicated, caring faculty and staff and truly believes that you learn something new every day. Tyra also believes strongly in volunteerism. She works with organizations that provide services and companionship to isolated elders, trains and socializes homeless dogs to help them become more adoptable at the MSPCA and visits with veterans. These experiences help Tyra “fill a bucket.”

Joan brings many years of teaching experience to Summit. She started as a Lower Elementary teacher, helped to build an Upper Elementary program (where she taught for many years,) and returned to the Lower Elementary classroom eight years ago. Joan has presented at several national AMS conferences. Topics have included Technology in the Classroom, Robotics, and Fractals and Patterns in Nature. She loves connecting the classroom to nature, science, and using technology as a tool in discovery and learning. She loves to share the sense of discovery as we observe the interconnectedness of all the topics and corners of our world. In her free time, Joan enjoys nature walks, knitting, reading, performing and listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Marian holds an American Montessori Society (AMS) Primary classroom teaching certificate, as well as a Masters’ Degree in Education. She has been lead teacher in Children’s House for six years. Marian was a Montessori student herself, and she recognized an immediate re-connection with Montessori’s philosophy when searching for her own children’s preschools. Marian continues to feel passionate about Maria Montessori’s beautiful, concrete classroom materials, as well as her respect for the child’s creativity and independence.