The Unitarian Montessori School

OFFICE
	Mary Ann Keller, Director Mary Ann Keller is the Director and founder of the Unitarian Montessori School. She received her Montessori primary credential in 1981 from Project Champ Teacher Training Program affiliated with the American Montessori Society and associated with Fordham University in New York City. Mary Ann received her Master of Science in Education degree from St. John’s University in 1984. She moved to East Brunswick, NJ in 1984 and established the East Brunswick Montessori School in 1985. which became the Unitarian Montessori School in 1990. Mary is a member and former officer in the New Jersey Administrators Council. She is also a member of the American Montessori Society. She has been a teacher trainer and field consultant for the NYU Teacher Training Program.
	Niyomi Guiro, Office Administrator Joined the school in 2001 and received the Assistant Training the same year. Presently working as the Office Administrator. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, listening to music and gardening.
CLASSROOM 11
	Lee Young, Teacher Cecilia (Lee) A. Young attended a Montessori school as a child for five years and has worked in a Montessori classroom for twenty five years. She received her Primary training through the C.H.A.M.P Montessori teacher training program. In the year 1996 she attended the Infant/Toddler training program at The Princeton Center for Teacher Education and established the Toddler program at UMS. Cecilia has led Parent Education classes, Assistant Training classes and NJ MAC conference workshops. Cecilia was the assistant director at UMS for eight years and has directed a Montessori Summer Camp program as well. Cecilia is amazed every day with the capabilities of her students and is grateful for the training and support she received from her mother, mentor and UMS director Mary Ann Keller.
	Ying Zhang, Assistant I worked for Wulinmen Kindergarten http://www.zjswy.com.cn in China as a headteacher for 7 years. I joined Unitarian Montessori School with my first boy Michael in 2005. I love children, I am their best playmate.
	Shraddha Chitalia, Assistant I have a bachelor’s degree in business, commerce and education which I received in India. I have five years experience at a public school library in East Brunswick. I love coming to school everyday and seeing the beautiful smiles on my students’ faces! These smiley faces have a lot of potential which can be developed using the Montessori philosophy. This is what I am trying to accomplish.
CLASSROOM 12
Mary Ann Keller, Teacher (see bio above)
	Lydia Solonovich, Teacher I have a music background and played violin in a symphonic orchestra. I have taught children to play piano and violin. I always felt I could give children the knowledge to open up their gifts through music. The Montessori philosophy which I discovered six years ago helped me to realize my talents and skills as a musician and teacher. Maria Montessori enlightened me in many ways. I received my Montessori Teaching Certificate in 2009 from the West side Montessori Teacher Training Program which is associated with New York University. I received my BFA in performing arts college of art in Rostov, Russia.
	Shubhra Roy, Assistant I have been part of the Montessori family since November, 2009. Prior to joining the Montessori school I have worked in various schools. My recent experience has been working in Kindercare from 2006 to 2009. I love working with children and watch them grow. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Science from Jiwaji University in India in 1992. I received my early childhood credential from Haywood University in California in 2003.
	Kristin Ward, Assistant I earned my Master’s in Environmental education in May 2009. Traveling and educating children about the outdoors has led me on amazing adventures. Missing family I recently moved back to my home state of New Jersey and I am excited to share my knowledge with the children.
CLASSROOM 13
	Manique (Champika) Feldano, Teacher Manique received her Association of Montessori International certification in 1989 from her home country of Sri Lanka. She worked as a Montessori teacher in Canada from 1990 to 1999. She moved to the United States and has worked at the Unitarian Montessori from 2000. Manique has a teenage son and a daughter who is 2 years old.
	Margaret (Maggie) Spatafora, Assistant Maggie started working at the Unitarian Montessori School in September of 2000. From 1969 till 1981 she worked in the Jersey City Public Library. While raising her two children Maggie was very active in school, church and civic groups. She is a life member of the NJ PTA and a certified religion teacher.
	Barbara Rubin, Assistant I live in East Brunswick and have raised three children and now enjoy two beautiful grandchildren. I have been privileged to have worked at the Unitarian Montessori School for the past 21 years as a teacher’s assistant. It has been both an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
AFTER CARE
Shraddha Chitalia (see bio above)
Kristin Ward (see bio above)
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
	Josefina Ortiz-Williams As an Educational Consultant at Teaching Matters, Ms. Ortiz-Williams coaches teachers in integrating technology into core curriculum using programs like Writing Matters and Voices & Choices. Before coming to Teaching Matters, Josefina worked as a Humanities teacher at a charter school in New Jersey. Earlier, Josefina was a Humanities teacher and Literacy Coach in the NYC Public Schools. Her expertise is in creating and implementing student-centered, cross-disciplinary, multi-cultural curriculum. She has facilitated training in Balanced Literacy and reading and writing workshop model. Josefina has also collaborated with ePals and the Peace Diaries/ Knowledge iTrust, Inc. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American Caribbean Areas Studies from Binghamton University and a Master’s in English Education from New York University.
	Saima Aklaq I am a Montessori certified teacher from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education of New York and have ten years of Experience. I have three children and love to spend time with my family.
	Ben Kubey I’m an undergraduate at Rutgers University majoring in American Studies. I plan to pursue additional education with the goal of becoming an early childhood or early elementary teacher. I have been an aide at the Unitarian Montessori for over four years and a member of The Unitarian Society.
	Prabha Chidambaran I love working with young children. I hold a certificate of eligibility in Elementary Education. I have a Master’s degree in creative writing from Rutger’s University. My hobbies include reading, walking and watching old movies.

for more information contact info@unimont.org

web services provided by adam keller design