BA, Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed., Pennsylvania State University

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.

BA University of Bridgeport
MA University of New Mexico

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.

Central University of Venezuela

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.

BS, Maharaja Sayajirao University (Baroda, India)

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.

BS, Boston University

Sometimes referred to as “the child whisperer” for her gift of being able to relate so well to children, Antoinette brings a wealth of experience to her role as Summit’s After Care Director. Having worked in and directed several after school and enrichment programs in the state, she directs a solid program at Summit that includes art and drama projects, math and science enrichment, and cooking along with homework help as needed. She encourages Summit’s students to work together creatively and fosters a warm and caring environment continuing the school day in meaningful and enjoyable way. Summit’s students often ask to attend After Care, just because it is such fun to be there with Miss Antoinette.

BA Western State College

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”.

BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
JD, Suffolk University Law School

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.

BA, Sociology Pending

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.”

A.S., Mass Bay Community College

Beth has been involved in early childhood education since 2000. Starting as an assistant teacher at a private preschool and later moving to the Goddard School. She particularly enjoys observing children in the early years when they experience such great growth in personal development and independence. She enjoys watching them move through their environment exploring, manipulating and learning by doing. Beth’s interest in the Montessori method and approach has grown in the last few years and she is excited to join the Summit community and the Beginner’s classroom.

BA, Connecticut College
M.Ed., Endicott College

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.

Pam Warren joins us as our Orton Gillingham Reading Support Teacher.  Pam completed her OG training at the Carroll School in 2010 and has subsequently worked as a private tutor and as a language and reading support teacher/tutor in the Boston Public Schools and at Bedford High School. She is a former board member of Kingsley Montessori School, where her daughters attended through the elementary grades.  Pam is passionate about helping all children succeed, giving them the chance to build confidence and advocate for themselves.

Lumpoon fell in love with Montessori after observing her friend’s Montessori-trained children. She found their way of thinking, behaving, and their sense of self amazing. And after observing their classroom environment, she decided to pursue a Montessori education.

Lumpoon earned her AMS Early Childhood credentials from NEMTEC and has worked for 14 years in the Montessori education system.  Lumpoon enjoys spending time with children and creating environments that help children reach their highest potential. Maria Montessori’s words inspire Lumpoon. “This then is the first duty of an educator: to stir up life but leave it free to develop” ~ Maria Montessori. Lumpoon believes a child’s fullest potential is reached through emotional health, mental health, and physical health. In Lumpoon’s free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, learning about different cultures, trying new things, and creating new materials to use in her classroom.

BA, Western Governors University
Graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College
Graduate of the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater

Brandon started his career in the performing arts. He has performed in circuses, in theaters big and small, fairs, festivals, cruise ships, and hospitals. Eager to bring his energy and creativity into elementary classrooms, he pursued his degree in education and his Massachusetts teaching credential. After teaching third grade in a public school, he was eager to find a more engaging and creative environment for learners.  He discovered the Montessori philosophy, and immediately began the certification training with the METTC program in Lexington, MA. He is thrilled to have joined the Summit community in 2018, as it is a perfect fit for his teaching philosophy and talents.

When he is not teaching, Brandon enjoys playing his upright bass in the local bluegrass community. He can also be found walking on stilts greeting the fans at Fenway Park during the baseball season.

BA in Art History,Smith College
Master in Arts in Education, Rhode Island School of Design

Rebecca Crawford has served in the education non-profit sector for over 15 years as a teacher, administrator, and fundraiser. She first joined the Summit community in 2013 as a parent and later served on the Board of Trustees as Secretary and on the Development Committee. This work has inspired her tenure here and she enjoys watching her children flourish in a Montessori environment as well as inspiring families, friends, and alumni of the school to support Summit’s mission. Rebecca has worked at the USS Constitution Museum as the Manager of Academic and Family Programs, at First Parish in Framingham Unitarian Universalist as the Director of Religious Education, and at Citizen School as an Americorps Teaching Fellow and Campus Director.

Chris has worked as a financial controller (Leading Edge After School, Springboard Schools) and as Director of Finance and Administration (Shriver Job Corps). In these capacities he has gained experience in all of the vital aspects of the DFO’s job: budget oversight, audit preparation, HR, facilities management, and financial reporting. Although Chris began his college career as a Business major at Bentley, he was also drawn to the world of teaching, eventually earning a BS in Literature and teaching advanced placement English to high schoolers. He is excited that the Summit position will help him to mesh together the worlds of finance and education. Chris is described as a calm leader who holds high standards for himself and others, and as a team player with whom others love to work.

Patrick  has twelve years of experience in early childhood education and child care, having served as a lead teacher at the Technology Center in Cambridge, MA, lead teacher and director’s assistant at the YMCA Kids Stop in West Roxbury, and as director of Our Future Learning Center in Brighton.  He holds EEC credentials as Lead Teacher, Director I and Director II. Patrick earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Fitchburg State University, where his major was Child Psychology; as part of his studies, he also focused on children’s literature and middle school education.

Patrick now resides in Framingham, where he is focusing on community arts projects. In addition to bringing much impressive experience with young children to Summit, Patrick is also a visual artist and story teller.  His references described him as “amazing” and “natural” with young children.  His favorite quote is “Let’s use our powers for good!”

Kim is highly experienced at teaching Spanish in public school settings (Douglas and Bellingham Public Schools and Foxboro Regional Charter School); she currently teaches Spanish at the Aprende Spanish Immersion program in Shrewsbury and the TEC Montessori School in Worcester.  She has taught kindergartners through seventh graders in a career that spans 11 years.

Kim earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Spanish at Bridgewater State College, and a Master of Education degree, with a concentration in Spanish, from Framingham State University. She attended the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain during the summer of 2001.

Cassandra, a graduate of Waltham High School, is currently a junior in nursing at Regis College in Weston. Cassandra began working as an Assistant Teacher in Summit’s After Care program in October, 2020, also serving as a substitute teacher and lunch assitant. She has served as a tutor to elementary-aged students and as a STEM educator at McDevitt Middle School.

Barrett Grizzard begins her tenure as our Kindergarten and Elementary Studio Art specialist this fall. Barrett has worked extensively as an art teacher in public and independent schools over the past eleven years. In addition, she has served as a Studio Art Instructor at the MFA in Boston for seven years and has past teaching experience at the Chicago Children’s Museum. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Maryland Institute College of Art, and an MA in teaching from Tufts University. She is particularly excited about connecting the visual arts with the elementary cultural curriculum.

Hannah Army joined summit in the Fall of 2021 after teaching for the past eight years as Co-Lead (and then Lead) Upper Elementary teacher at the Oak Grove Montessori School in Mansfield, CT. Prior to her experience at Oak Grove, Hannah was a Math, Art, and History teacher at The Rectory School in Pomfret, CT for seven years. Hannah, who completed her Montessori UE training through the Center for Montessori Teacher Education, NY in 2014, shared that when she discovered Montessori education, she had already envisioned that this was the way she wanted to teach. She held the paradigm in her mind, and then discovered the way to deliver it when she discovered Montessori. Hannah earned an MA in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University and BA in Studio Art and Art History at Wheaton College. She recently completed the American Montessori Society’s ELF (Emerging Leaders’ Fellowship) program, which identifies and supports emerging leaders in the Montessori community. Hannah is passionate about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work, having supported her current school in moving this essential work forward in their school community.

Swetha Seshaiyan completed the Trinity Montessori Education Course (TMEC) in Shanghai, China in June 2018, and worked as a Lead Montessori teacher at the Montessori School of Shanghai from 2018-19. She also routinely volunteered at the Shanghai American School from 2013-17, while her family was living in China. Swetha’s original degree is a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications from the Jaya Engineering College in Chennai, India. While she loved this field, Montessori education eventually won her heart. Swetha loves music, travel, yoga, art, and cooking, and is fluent in Tamil, Mandarin Chinese, and English. She joined us at Summit in 2019 as a substitute Children’s House teacher.

Katie discovered Montessori in 2004 upon taking a position in an Upper Elementary classroom in Cambridge after receiving her Masters in Elementary Education. Being completely amazed by the Montessori method that first year, she pursued AMS Elementary II training and certification through CMTE/NY and worked for 9 additional years as an Upper Elementary teacher. In 2014, she left to help start a new Wildflower School at the Lower Elementary level and also completed her AMS Elementary I training and certification at METTC. Katie additionally taught at the 6-9 level in Lexington. Starting 2019, Katie worked as the Interim Director of Toddler and Primary Programs, and later as Director of Elementary and Middle School Programs, at her former school in Cambridge. Katie is excited to be a part of the Summit Montessori community. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Arlington with her husband and two children.;

Talor Waintrup has been teaching with his company, Lil’ Sports since 2011. He started as a part time instructor, worked his way up to manager, and in 2015 became the owner of the business. Talor has over 15 years of experience working with children ages 2-13.  This is his 11th year teaching at Summit Montessori School.

Currently, Talor is a Fitness Director at a retirement community on the North Shore where he teaches classes and does personal training with the residents. As a child, Talor attended Eliot Montessori School (now Riverbend Montessori) in Natick. Talor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and English.

Adriana is a highly experienced Montessori teacher who most recently served for 9 years as a Lead Children’s House Teacher at the Riverbend School in Natick.  Prior to that, Adriana served for 5 years as a Lead Teacher at Cambridge Montessori School and for 4 years at Copper Beach Montessori in Jamaica Plain.

Adriana holds an American Montessori Society Early Childhood credential from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas in Campinas, Brazil, and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University.

Adriana is passionate about early literacy, writers’ workshop, and outdoor learning.

Sharlow has worked as an ecology educator at “e” inc. in Boston, at The Ecology School in Poland ME; and as a teacher naturalist at Drumlin Farm Day Camp. In these settings she has worked with lower elementary through middle school students.  Sharlow taught fourth and fifth grades (math, science, social studies, and language arts) at the Cold Spring School in New Haven, CT and was an Assistant Teacher at Horizons at Foote in New Haven, CT.

Sharlow is the product of her own Montessori education, having been enrolled in Montessori programs from preschool through the eighth grade. She “has extensive experience with outdoor learning and arts education, and a passion for bringing social and environmental justice to the classroom”.

Sharlow holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and MA PreK-2 licensure.

Ellen Fitzpatrick joins us as our Learning Specialist (and Coordinator of Support Services?). Ellen has a background in Elementary and Special Education from Providence College, with a Master’s Degree in autism studies and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College. She has spent several years teaching special education in private and public schools across Massachusetts, and has worked extensively with families affected by autism and other disabilities. Ellen believes in celebrating neurodiversity and creating inclusive spaces for everyone. Ellen lives in Hopkinton with her wife, daughter, and 2 golden doodles.

Shawnnee started her Montessori journey as a parent volunteer for her daughters school and quickly fell in love with the environment. She has been working in Montessori schools for 10 years. In her free time she lives her best Jeep Life with her husband, daughter and puppy.