Meet Our Faculty

teacher-quotes-2

  • allison



    "The sense of teamwork and creative nature at Hilltop Montessori contribute to the progress that is evident in each learning environment."

    -Ms. Allison
  • ana



    "The ease of learning and the excitement for the new language exposure inspires me every day!"

    -Ms. Ana
  • Anneris



    "I love coming to work at a place that feels like home and where everyone is family."

    -Ms. Anneris
  • brent



    "Hilltop Montessori allows me the freedom to teach to each child’s level."

    -Mr. Brent
  • c



    "I love the family atmosphere that is always present at Hilltop. This helps to foster growth in our toddler community."

    -Ms. C
  • carol

    "The children’s love of learning is contagious and inspiring. It is what motivates me to help each child reach his or her highest potential. Through critical thinking and cooperative learning, I challenge my students to become creative thinkers, good communicators and collaborators."

    -Ms. Carol
  • chelsea



    "The best interests of each individual child are a central focus for every adult in the school."

    -Ms. Chelsea
  • christi



    "I love working at Hilltop Montessori because of the great children, parents and staff."

    -Ms. Christi
  • cindi

    "As founder of Hilltop Montessori, it has always been my vision to provide a learning environment where children are happy, productive and love to learn. This is what Montessori intended, and I am proud of the fact that my dream has come to fruition."

    -Ms. Cindi
  • dama



    "I love that even though we have grown, we are still a family."

    -Ms. Dama
  • derek


    "Our parents are so dedicated to the learning process that their children are going through, and the support they provide to the faculty during that time is really amazing."

    -Mr. Derek
  • janet


    "I love teaching at Hilltop Montessori because I am always learning something new and every day is different. I enjoy experiencing the curriculum through the eyes of the students."

    -Ms. Janet
  • jessica



    "The passion for learning and the love the children have for school is exceptional at Hilltop Montessori."

    -Ms. Jessica
  • marcia


    "I love being a part of helping a child move through the stages of being new in the classroom, with very little experience interacting with people and learning, and then watching the child grow into someone who loves his/her school and the process of learning."

    -Ms. Marcia
  • maryjo



    "The relationship we have among the children, parents and staff is very warm and welcoming; this framework provides support for all members."

    -Ms. Mary Jo
  • melanie



    "Being at Hilltop inspires me every day and I love working with such a great group of people."

    - Ms. Melanie
  • ona



    "The ability of the students to express what they have learned academically into artistic creativity inspires me each and every day!"

    -Ms. Ona
  • roopa


    "The outdoor learning environment and hands-on techniques used in the Montessori classroom are a joy to be a part of every day. I can’t think of a better place to work and learn!"

    -Ms. Roopa
  • sherry


    "What I enjoy most about teaching at Hilltop is the positive learning environment that is created through the cooperation of students, parents, teachers and the board. Everyone has the same goal of attaining the best education possible for each student."

    -Ms. Sherry
  • shiela

    "Working in the front office for over 10 years has given me the opportunity to see the wonderful benefits of a Montessori education. The children are not only learning, but are remembering, using and growing with more independence and confidence because they are taught through their everyday hands-on tasks and experiences."

    -Ms. Shiela
  • stephanie



    "Hearing joyful noises and laughter from the children makes me love coming to work!"

    -Ms. Stephanie
  • Susan



    "The curriculum of care of a human being changes everything; even the youngest can take care of and love one another."

    -Ms. Susan
  • toni


    "Students and teachers are not just free to, but encouraged to, allow their interests on a particular day to lead them in their learning. The environment is rich with resources to support this ideal."

    -Ms. Toni
  • michele

    "It has been a joy to see that the children leaving Montessori truly love learning. The cozy, home-like atmosphere permits each child to achieve his or her fullest potential without fear of failure, and the result is exactly what Maria Montessori intended: joyful, knowledgeable students who are confident in themselves and intrinsically motivated to succeed in life."

    - Ms. Michele

 

For More Information, Select a Department:

Toddler Program (ages 18 mos - 3 yrs)
    Photo of  Cindy "C"  Richmond
    Cindy "C" Richmond
    Toddlers
    • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
    • Masters in Deaf Education
    • NCME (National Center for Montessori Education
    • AMS (American Montessori Society) Toddler and Preschool certification
    • 20 years teaching experience


    Photo of  Stephanie  Pope
    Stephanie Pope
    Toddlers
    • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
    • Montessori Assistant Trained

     

    Photo of  Susan Smiley Desmond
    Susan Smiley Desmond
    Toddlers
    • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and English
    • AMS (American Montessori Society) Infant and Toddler certification
    • 4 years teaching experience


    Photo of  Anneris  Schutts
    Anneris Schutts
    Toddlers, Kindergarten Spanish
    • Bachelor of Science (Puerto Rico)
    • Montessori Assistant Trained

     

    Primary Preschool Program (ages 3-6)
      Photo of  Cindi  Stehr
      Cindi Stehr
      Preschool & Founder
      • Bachelor of Arts in Biology
      • NCME (National Center for Montessori Education)
      • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
      • 22 years teaching experience
      Photo of  Toni  Vickers
      Toni Vickers
      Preschool
      • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
      • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
      • 12 years teaching experience


      Photo of  Allison  Vickers
      Allison Vickers
      Preschool
      • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
      • 2 years teaching experience
      • Montessori Assistant Trained

       

      Photo of  Marcia  Fellows
      Marcia Fellows
      Preschool, Preschool Music
      • Bachelor of Arts in Music
      • CMTE/NY (Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York)
      • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification in administration
      • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
      • 27 years of teaching experience
      Photo of  Roopa  Iyer
      Roopa Iyer
      Preschool
      • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
      • Montessori Assistant Trained
      Photo of  Mary Jo  White
      Mary Jo White
      Preschool
      • Bachelors and Masters in Education
      • IMC (International Montessori Council) certification for ages 3-6 students
      • 10 years teaching experience
      Photo of  Christi  Franks
      Christi Franks
      Preschool
      • Undergraduate college coursework
      • 2 years teaching experience
      • Montessori Assistant Trained
      Photo of  Shellie  Scott
      Shellie Scott
      Preschool
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
      • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
      • 9 years teaching experience
      Photo of  Suzanne  Bruce
      Suzanne Bruce
      Preschool
      • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education
      • 5 years teaching experience
      • Montessori Assistant Trained

      Lower Elementary Program (ages 6-9)
        Photo of  Carol  Reddington
        Carol Reddington
        Lower Elementary
        • Bachelor of Science in Math
        • NCME (National Center for Montessori Education) certification for ages 6-9
        • 13 years teaching experience
        Photo of  Vicky  Boyd
        Vicky Boyd
        Lower Elementary
        • Licensed nurse
        • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6
        • 14 years teaching experience
        Photo of  Dama  Nichols
        Dama Nichols
        Lower Elementary
        • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
        • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9
        • 13 years teaching experience
        Photo of  Chelsea  Truman
        Chelsea Truman
        Lower Elementary
        • Bachelor of Arts in English
        • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9
        • 9 years teaching experience

        Upper Elementary Program (ages 9-12)
          Photo of  Brent  Payne
          Brent Payne
          Upper Elementary
          • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
          • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9
          • 18 years teaching experience
          Photo of  Janet  Lewis
          Janet Lewis
          Upper Elementary
          • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
          • CMTE/NY (Center for Montessori Teacher Education, New York)
          • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 9-12
          • 11 years teaching experience
          Photo of  Jessica  George
          Jessica George
          Upper Elementary
          • Bachelor of Science in Education
          • Montessori Assistant Trained

          Middle School Program (grades 7-8)
            Photo of  Sherry  Cook
            Sherry Cook
            Middle School
            • Bachelor of Science in Education
            • 39 years teaching experience

            Spanish Program
              Photo of  Anneris  Schutts
              Anneris Schutts
              Toddlers, Kindergarten Spanish
              • Bachelor of Science (Puerto Rico)
              • Montessori Assistant Trained

               

              Photo of  Ana  Diaz
              Ana Diaz
              Preschool Spanish
              • Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
              • 17 years teaching experience
              Photo of  Amber  Ridling
              Amber Ridling
              Elementary Spanish
              • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education
              • 7 years teaching experience

              Art, Music & PE
                Photo of  Marcia  Fellows
                Marcia Fellows
                Preschool, Preschool Music
                • Bachelor of Arts in Music
                • CMTE/NY (Center for Montessori Teacher Education/New York)
                • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification in administration
                • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 3-6 students
                • 27 years of teaching experience
                Photo of  Ona  Gribben
                Ona Gribben
                Art
                • Undergraduate college coursework
                • 9 years art education teaching experience
                Photo of  Derek  Kluz
                Derek Kluz
                Elementary Music
                • Bachelor of Music Education and Music Arts
                • Masters coursework in Conducting
                • AMS seminar
                • 17 years teaching experience
                Photo of  Trey  Fitzpatrick
                Trey Fitzpatrick
                PE
                • Bachelor of Science in Biology
                • Masters in Environmental Management
                • 3 years coaching experience

                Administration
                  Photo of  Michele Scott Wilensky
                  Michele Scott Wilensky
                  Executive Director
                  • Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
                  • Masters in Education
                  • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for ages 6-9 students
                  • 11 years teaching experience and 10 years experience in administration
                  Photo of  Melanie  Morrison
                  Melanie Morrison
                  Assistant to the DIrector
                  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
                  • AMS (American Montessori Society) certification for infants through age 3
                  • 15 years teaching experience and 2 years experience in administration
                  Photo of  Shiela  Jones
                  Shiela Jones
                  Office Manager
                  • 15 years experience in office management
                  Photo of  Theresa  Fox
                  Theresa Fox
                  Business Manager
                  • Bachelor of Science in Business
                  • 10 years accounting experience