Education:
BA University of Hartford | M Ed.: Lesley University, Grades 1-6 | Montessori Training 6-9: CMTE, Lexington

Elease is an energized, creative teacher who has spent five of her eight years of teaching here in Newburyport. She has been a head teacher in both the lower and upper elementary classes, and as of 2005, the curriculum coordinator at Inn Street. In June 2007, Elease purchased the Inn Street Montessori School and now fulfills the role of Head of School as well as head teacher of the elementary program.

"It is with great confidence and enthusiasm that I take on the this amazing project! I am excited to further the growth and development of an already outstanding program. Guided by the work of Maria Montessori, we will continue to co-create an environment that nurtures the imagination, spirit, and development of each child. I am honored to serve the children of Inn Street, the true teachers who profoundly enrich our lives."

Education:
University of Hartford - 3 yrs.
BA Humanities: New College of California
Montessori Training 3-6 yr.: Pan American Montessori Society
Montessori Training 6-9 yr.: Montessori Western Teacher Training
ESL Certification: Olin Center Boston

Lydia is an accomplished teacher with a developed sense of what each child needs. She has brought joy to the children of Inn Street Montessori for the past three and a half years. Prior to joining the Inn Street Montessori faculty in 2004, Lydia taught Montessori lower elementary for five years and served as a Montessori school administrator for 11 years. Working with beginning and emergent readers at Inn Street re-ignited her desire to teach in the classroom and inspired her to establish Fun Way Learning Company with her husband Lowell to provide after school academic enrichment, particularly in reading.

"Every day is an adventure at Inn Street Montessori! There is always a buzz of purposeful activity and spirited inquiry. The beaming faces of young children discovering they can really read are my greatest inspiration. Inn Street provides a rich and supportive environment for both children and adults. I enjoy the creative collaboration with the staff and the myriad, endearing experiences with the children."

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Endicott College Cum Laude, Alpha Chi Honor Society
Montessori Training 3-6 yr.: Pan American Montessori Society
Montessori Training 6-9 yr.: Montessori Western Teacher Training
ESL Certification: Olin Center Boston

Lowell is a dynamic teacher who motivates children to learn and take pride in their work. His spirited style has enriched the Inn Street community for the past two years. Prior to coming to Inn Street, Lowell had taught and worked with young children for over thirteen years. In 2002 he and his wife Lydia formed Fun Way Learning Company and developed a comprehensive learn-to-read software program, a "whole-life approach to learning". In 2005 they opened the magical Fun Way Learning Center in downtown Newburyport, providing academic support and enrichment to children of all ages.

"I love Montessori's concept that genius lies within each child, and the teacher's job is to bring it out and help develop it. That's how I see my task in the classroom."

Born in Quito - Ecuador, Cristina has been teaching Spanish, French and English for over 10 years both in Ecuador and the United States. She graduated from the Central University of Ecuador with a degree in Languages and a Major in Tourism Administration. She obtained the TOELF Certificate of Proficiency in English as a Second Language from the University of California in San Diego and The Diploma De La Lengue Francaise from the Universite Carolique d' Angers in France. Cristina has taught foreign languages in many Pre-Schools and Elementary Schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For Cristina and her husband Rainer, raising their son Nicholas in a bilingual environment has been a positive and rewarding experience.

Education:
B.S. in Wildlife Biology from UMASS, Amherst

Joann has 10 years experience as a Biologist with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. After taking time off to start a family, she started Wild About Nature offering Naturalist and Environmental education programs for pre-school, elementary, and middle school children. She has since expanded to include Native Americans, Geology, and Science Experiment programs. Joann's professional goal is to instill an appreciation and understanding of the richness of nature within a child's local community and to encourage a sense of stewardship in young people.

"I thoroughly enjoy working with Inn Street students as I find most of them to be environmentally aware and familiar with our incredible richness of local nature. The students are also very enthusiastic and focused, which allows me to explore various topics in greater depth. Also, teaching on a bi-weekly basis allows me to build on several themes over the course of the school year and to develop science notebooks that children can continue to use and enjoy on their own."

Education:
Certified in Group Fitness from AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and NETA (National Exercise Trainers Association)

Most recently, Kim earned a Kids in Motion Specialty Certificate from SCW Fitness Education, an internationally recognized company dedicated to increasing the professionalism of fitness instruction worldwide through high quality fitness conventions, SCW Fitness Certifications and correspondence learning courses. She has taken several AFAA continuing education workshops, including "Children's Fitness" and "FitPlay", a health-focused fitness curriculum for children age 3 to 13. As a fitness professional for adults since 1997, Kim was approached in 2002 by the Newburyport Montessori School to take over the Physical Education Program for their Elementary School and that is where she found her passion. Since then, she has gone on to teach Physical Education, not only for elementary age students, but for Kindergarten, Pre-School and Middle School as well. In October, 2006 Kim designed and implemented a children's fitness program at All That Cheer and Tumble in Amesbury. She teaches "Kids Gym", a fitness program for children 4 to 6 years old at the facility. Kim's philosophy? She is NOT a coach or a competitor. She IS a fitness enthusiast and a 10-year old trapped in the body of a 30 (something) year old. She loves to play.

"I am so excited to be working with the Montessori kids again this year. This is a very special group. We've been growing together for many years now and that makes teaching gym to this particular bunch so much fun for me. I love how they like to work with me and try new games. Then we'll stop and work out the kinks together. It's a wonderful (sometimes frustrating and sometimes very funny) process and shows the maturity of the kids and the trusting relationship we've developed over years."

A former preschool teacher who has since established a successful early childhood music program, Itsy Bitsy Music in Amesbury, Madeleine believes that "bringing the joy of music to children can help them in every aspect of their lives"- building character, learning discipline and focus and appreciating beauty. Movement is a great way for kids to experience music; not only is it enjoyable, it burns lots of energy. Moving to music helps kids internalize concepts like rhythm, tempo and dynamics; it also gives them body awareness and increases coordination and large motor skills. Students will be actively using poems, rhymes, games, songs and dance as their mode of self expression. The children will be exposed to the basics of music theory, including simple notation and music appreciation. She was thrilled to find the Montessori Method of education, which suits the style and philosophy of education she uses in her early childhood music program. She lives in Newburyport with her children: Oliver, a freshman at Newburyport High school and a graduate of the River Valley Charter School and Sophie, a 2nd year student at the RVCS.

Education:
BA in Dance Therapy, and an MA in Expressive Therapy

Marianne danced and performed throughout New England for 29 years and has practiced Yoga for fifteen years. Her professional career included work in Long-Term Care as Director of Recreational Therapy, and her internship included working in a school for children with special needs as a dance therapist. She has also donated evenings to lead parenting groups for teenage mothers at DARE House in Newburyport.

After having her first child eight years ago, Marianne designed a music and movement group for toddlers and parents. She encouraged parents to teach by example, allowing the children organically to join in. This is Marianne's third year teaching Yoga to children at Montessori. She also teaches Yoga in a local afterschool program and an Expressive Dance class in Newburyport.

"I love what I do and appreciate the children for who they are and where they each are. There is nothing more gratifying as a teacher than watching a large group of children, each coming from different places (and angles), reach a point of unification and peacefulness. It is cathartic and beautiful!"

Education:
BA in Education and Art from the University of New Hampshire | Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Phyllis Marsh has over 31 years' of exploring the arts with young students. As well as being a career educator she is a freelance photographer with a passion for photographing people. Phyllis has received several first place awards while exhibiting her work through the Seacoast Art Association. Phyllis also had the honor of being the official photographer for the "First in the Nation Primary" for President William Jefferson Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, traveling all over New Hampshire recording this historic event.

"The emphasis of the art program at Inn Street is to develop each child's talent and strengths. Skills are developed in communication, creative thinking, working together, imagination, and building upon one's self-esteem. The children practice using different art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner. The students use different art media, techniques, and processes to communicate and express ideas, experiences, and stories. The art classes build skills by allowing students to experience drawing, painting, art history, sculpture, fiber, printmaking and collage."