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Staff
Our Staff is trained in Montessori philosophy and practices. We believe that each child is an individual and we as teachers need to bring out the best in each student, meeting their needs intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally.
All staff is CPR and First Aid Trained, and has undergone a background check.
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Jodi McClenan, Head of School, began working at the Montessori School of Schenectady in September 1999. She received her AMS Certification from Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 1997 and continues to work with them as a Consultant Teacher observing student teachers in the New York Area. Jodi lives in Glenville with her husband Dave, and three children, Connor, Erin and Shane, all of whom have gone through the Montessori program. Prior to becoming a Montessori Teacher, Jodi worked with developmentally disabled adults and children as a Case Manager and Services Coordinator. After getting married and moving out of state she began working as an assitant teacher at a Montessori School. It was there that she discovered a love for teaching and the Montessori method. Jodi's teaching philosphy encompasses giving each child the opportunity to reach their highest potential. She believes that learning is a life long process and that education begins at home and should be enhanced by our schools and community. |
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Dina Baker, Head Teacher, is first and foremost a mother of two children, ages 8 and 6. They were both students of the Montessori School of Schenectady and it was through their involvement with this school that fueled her passion for teaching Montessori. Dina’s experience and education qualifications include a bachelors degree in social work (with a minor in children and families).She then studied at the Northeast Center for Montessori and became a certified Montessori teacher in December 2007. Her personal philosophy can be summed up by the following quote: “Our care of the children should be governed not by the desire to 'make them learn things', but by the endeavor always to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence", -Maria Montessori |
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Maureen Palma, Associate Teacher, has been with the Montessori School since September 2002. She began working as an assistant teacher, then after completing a Montessori Teacher Training program became an Associate Teacher. Maureen is the mother of 3 children and grandmother of 2 girls. |
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Kelly DeVirgeles, Assistant Teacher, has been with the Montessori School of Schenectady since March 2009. She is the mother of 2 girls both of whom attended the Montessori program. |
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Aimee Taylor, Assistant Teacher has been with the Montessori School since June 2008. Aimee attends Schenectady County Community College majoring in Early Childhood Education.
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"The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -Maria Montessori
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