MCDS Faculty and Staff 2015-2016
Academic Excellence, 21st Century Skills & Leadership
Montessori Country Day School Faculty And Staff
Without a doubt, our teachers combine a commitment to the Montessori Education and Philosophy with their love of working with children to create an enriching environment where children thrive.
Montessori Country Day School Pre-Primary Program in Sunflower
Montessori Country Day School’s Educational programs begin in our Pre-Primary cottage, “Sunflower.” With highly qualified and veteran teachers, our youngest students are introduced to the traditional Montessori learning areas; Practical Life (coordination, self-care, and art), Sensorial, Math, Language & Library, Science, and Geography. Learning habits, independence, and social skills are cultivated in routines, everyday lessons and group experiences. Their development of emotional self-regulation, pro- social, and motor skills are stimulated. With exposure to language related lessons, songs, stories and conversation, literacy skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing grow. Enrichment classes such as, art, music, Spanish, and physical education are offered to our Sunflower students weekly.
In both our Pre-Primary and Primary classrooms, teachers plan individual lessons for each child and the units of study for the entire class.
Sunflower Teachers
Ms. Quddus, Pre-primary Lead Teacher
According to Ms. Quddus: Growing up I always enjoyed spending time with children, and had always wanted to work with infants and toddlers, but was not aware of my hidden passion for teaching. This was uncovered at my first job at a pre-school in India in 1993. I worked for two years at Bishop’s School in my home town Ranchi in a pre-school setting. Working with these young minds was very inspiring, and gave me direction in life to pursue teaching as a full time career.
I was always impressed by the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, so I decided to get trained as a Montessori teacher. Having moved to the USA in 1996, I continued my passion by joining Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE) where I took training in Early Childhood for a year. This training was completed in June of 1997 during which I also was an intern at Marlboro Montessori Academy in New Jersey.
I was hired as an assistant teacher in 1998 at Montessori Corner Princeton Meadow Campus, Plainsboro, NJ. I became the head teacher of the class the following year and continued at the same campus until 2002. I was offered a position as a Primary teacher at the Montessori Country Day campus in 2003, where I was honored with the Best Teacher Award by the School in 2004.
My dream to work with infants and toddlers was realized when I was offered the opportunity to be trained as an Infant-Toddler teacher in 2005 from CMTE (Center for Montessori Teacher Education of New York). Since then I have been working as a Lead teacher in the Infant-Toddler setting.
I am also a trainer for Music, Movement and Art at the Montessori Teacher Training Institute of Mercer County Community College.
I feed my passion outside of school by volunteering my time and services at the Sunaay Foundation, (sunaayindia.org) which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education to underprivileged children in India. I do online training for teachers in India as well as help in raising funds for Sunaay.
Ms. Nazaj, Pre-primary Assistant Teacher
Suzana Nezaj graduated from Drew University with a B.A. in both History and Comparative Religion. She is currently enrolled in Drew University's M.A.T. program and will graduate in the spring of 2017 with a Masters Degree in K-12 History and Special Education. Suzana has worked in Montessori schools for over 3 years and is delighted to be back at Montessori Country Day School this fall as an assistant teacher in the Sunflower classroom. During her free time Suzana enjoys spending time with her family and friends and also enjoys cooking with her husband.
Mrs. Sinha, Pre-primary Assistant Teacher
Learning Letter Sounds with Sandpaper Letters
Seasonal Art Projects
Scientific Discovery
Montessori Primary Programs in Ivy, Sage and Willow
Ivy Teachers
Mrs. Menard, Primary Lead Teacher
Suzanne Menard has been a Montessori teacher for the past 13 years, here at Montessori Country Day School as well as at our sister schools; Princeton Meadows and Children’s House.
As the MCDS Lead Literacy Teacher, she attends educational webinars run by Nobel Learning Communities' education department. She then passes on the information learned from the webinars to my colleagues where they implement the techniques in their classrooms. During the Summer Camp sessions she works with elementary students on their academics.
After college she did not start her career as a teacher; however, her love for children and the desire for all children to reach their goals and full potential has lead her down this path.
She has lived in Plainsboro for the past 24 years. She is married and has two wonderful children. Her son Phillip recently graduated from college and her daughter Samantha is a college freshman. She enjoys participating in numerous volunteer opportunities; Plainsboro Pantry, WWP High School South PTA/ Post Prom Chair and The Elm’s of Cranbury nursing home where she is currently an activities volunteer for patients 80-100 years old.
Mrs. Menard believes that every child should experience the following things in their classrooms.
“IN the Montessori Classroom, We do RESPECT. We do TEAMWORK. We do FUN and LAUGHTER. We do FRIENDSHIP. We do GOOD LISTENING. We do our BEST and HELP each other. We TRY and we do AMAZING THINGS”.
Mrs. Balaji, Primary Assistant Teacher & Technology
Sujana Balaji started her Montessori journey around 14 years back, in Austin, TX. Happily married to her husband for 18 years, she’s a mother of two. She believed in the Montessori philosophy and wanted to start her journey as a Montessorian. She started working as an Assistant Teacher at the Northwest Montessori, Austin TX where she learnt significantly about the true Montessori essence. Seeing her students progress and become more independent made her feel very accomplished. "The true aesthetic of Montessori is in its philosophy, every child has his own path to follow." Sujana was dedicated to student development and worked along with the class head teacher to individualize lessons and materials so that learning is more naturally absorbed and internalized. She knew that a Montessori student learns to think critically, work collaboratively and act boldly- a skill set required for the 21st century.
She relocated to New Jersey in 2006 and started working at Montessori Corner, Princeton Meadows. She worked under the principal's guidance and explored many new concepts.
Sujana holds a double Bachelor’s degree. She majored in Philosophy and Interior Architecture and Design. Sujana worked as a freelance Designer from 2008-2013. She undertook many remodeling projects. Her clients loved her quality of work and ethics. But her passion to return back as a Montessori Teacher was very strong and she decided to establish her roots back in Montessori education. She is currently completing her Montessori training by fulfilling her Internship requirements at MCDS.
Education Every Day!
Sage Teachers
Mrs. Shah, Primary Lead Teacher
After my AMS certification, I worked at Montessori Corner at Princeton Meadows for a year and later joined MCD as a co-head in the Sage classroom.
This is my first year as a Head teacher in the Sage classroom. My passion and "can do" attitude towards developing strong character and building foundational skills in children has helped me build a successful career in a positive and challenging environment that MCDS has provided.
I have two handsome boys; ages 8 and 13. Reading is one of my routine hobbies and keeps me abreast of current thoughts and research around child psychology and the Montessori principles. I love to spend time with my family and circle of friends.
Mrs. Nawaz, Primary Assistant Teacher
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as Mrs. Salma Nawaz, This is my 7th year teaching at Montessori. I have been part of the school from 2009 through the present.
After being an assistant teacher in the Sunflower classroom, I took my Montessori training at MTTI, Montessori Teacher Training Institute of Mercer County in 2009 and received my AMS certification in 2011. Further, I also hold a BA from Delhi University, India.
My philosophy is to provide an interesting and challenging learning environment where my students will flourish socially and academically. They in turn can give their best effort in all they do at school. I believe that as a community ‘happily’ working together, teachers, parents and school staff can help our students accomplish this.
Children in Sage
Willow Teachers
Mrs. Singh, Primary Lead Teacher
According to Mrs. Singh: Becoming a Montessori teacher has made a very big impact in my life. It has changed my perspective on education and the way I look at things in my life.
I have my Bachelor’s degree in Education and diploma in travel and tourism. I worked as a travel agent for many years but after learning about the Montessori methodology and the positive outcomes of this program, I considered changing my profession from a travel agent to a Montessori teacher. As a mother of two girls, I wanted to implement the same on my children and as a result, my younger daughter started Montessori Corner at the age of 2 and a half years old and completed her second grade successfully in all respects. I started working as an intern in Montessori Country Day in 2009 and received my AMS certification in 2010.
Since then I am a Montessori certified teacher; teaching and nurturing children in this amazing environment as a head teacher in the Sage and now Willow classrooms. I motivate and encourage my students to advance past their expectations both academically and socially by serving as a positive role model in the classroom and throughout the school.
Mrs. Suh, Elementary & Primary Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Suh hold a B.S. in Elementary Education from The King's College. She has certification in the state of NJ in Elementary School education. Her experience spans over 25 years. She has worked in preschools, daycares, and learning centers teaching reading and math.
Mrs. Suh values community service. She volunteers teaching Sunday school for preschool through 6th grade.
Mrs. Suh has a strong commitment to her family. She has a loving husband, 3 sons (2 in college and 1 in middle school) and a dog.
Teachers and Students
Montessori Lower Elementary in Mulberry
Our Elementary cottage houses the Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary classrooms. Each has the capacity to support the learning and development of 1st through 6th graders. Certified teachers, trained to use Montessori Pedagogy and materials at this level, work with individual students and in small group instruction to further students’ cognitive development and 21st century skill acquisition. Elementary materials and experiences are designed to lead children towards abstraction and build their abilities to arrange, classify, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information.
Teachers create Individualized Learning Plans for each child every week, children manage daily “workplans,” and both collaborate with parents to draft and act on short and long-term learning and development goals. In addition to STEM, Reading Streets, Ukulele and Leadership and Public Speaking programs, children work on public service projects, participate in advanced enrichment programs and hold positions on various committees that support the direction of the school programs and special events. They are our campus leaders!
Our goal is to continue to grow our elementary program. As the first MCDS elementary teacher, I am looking forward to the opportunity to open our upper elementary classroom. I would love to hear from you on how we can ensure your child is a part of the future 6th grade graduating class at Montessori Country Day School.
Mulberry Teachers
Mrs. Huq, Lower Elementary Lead Teacher
My name is Syeda Huq. I am an AMS certified Montessori teacher, working as a lower elementary lead teacher in Mulberry here at MCD. This is my 4th year teaching in this classroom. I received my Montessori teachers training certificate in 2007, from Dallas Montessori Academy.
Although my career began as a physician working with children, when it was time to make a change in my career I could not think of anything better than becoming an educator in a Montessori environment. I developed my love for this philosophy of education, watching my son grow up and benefitted in so many ways in a Montessori environment. As he is now a 4th year medical student in Tufts Medical School in Boston Massachusetts, I can see his love for learning, academic abilities, compassion and self-motivation which are all qualities he’s attained from this superb form of learning..
Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is high self-esteem. Montessori program is based on self-directed, non-competitive activities which help children develop strong self-images and confidence to face challenges and change with optimism. I am a true believer of this philosophy!
In my spare time, I love listening to classical music, read nonfiction books, play scrabble with my husband.
Mrs. Menon, Elementary Intern & Substitute Teacher
Vidya Menon holds a Masters in Modern Language and Literature (English) and has worked as a copy editor for four years. During this period, she was working on scientific, technical and medical journals published by Elsevier both US and UK. She was drawn to Montessori when her son started his education at a Montessori school in India. Convinced that this method of education can make a positive and lasting change in younger minds she decided to undergo training at Princeton center for Teacher Training. As she is always inspired by the innocence and curiosity of young children, she is thrilled to be spending time with them with Mrs. Syeda Huq during her training year at Montessori Country Day School.
Mulberry Students are Confident and Collaborative
The Arts
Exploring Math
Natural Sciences
Enrichment Teachers
Mrs. Monteleone, Art, STEM, Ukulele, and Library Teacher
According to Mrs. Monteleone: One of the most important creative influences in my life came from my first grade classroom teacher, who was also a painter and illustrator. She always made a big fuss over my artwork and praised me at every opportunity. I remember admiring all of the art supplies neatly organized in her large teacher's desk, to be used whenever inspiration struck. I knew then that I wanted to be an artist and the same sort of positive role model for young artists that she was to me.
I went on to study fine arts--painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture--at The School of Visual Arts in NYC, and later crafts: weaving, ceramics, woodworking, glassblowing, and art education at Tyler School of Art near Philadelphia. I studied the art of weaving and spinning at The Albion Hills Farm School near Toronto, Canada.
I have two grown daughters who are artists, writers and musicians. I live in a Louis I. Kahn-designed Bauhaus abode in the New Deal town of Roosevelt, NJ with my artist/musician husband, two dogs and four cats.
I like to spend my spare time in my art studio, creating sculptures and illustrations, and singing and playing ukulele in a group called The Woe Nellies.
I've followed the example of that first grade teacher ever since and have been teaching and making art my entire life!
Mrs. Bouchard, Spanish Teacher and Homework Club
In her own words: My name is Maria Bouchard. I am the Spanish teacher at Montessori Country Day School.
My background is in accounting and financing but, I realized my longtime dream and passion was to teach children. I then decided to take a leap of faith, researched and found the wonderful coursework of the Montessori Teacher Training Institute through Mercer County Community College. I completed my internship and was offered the Lead Head Primary Teacher position soon after.
I left my corporate job as a corporate trainer to follow my dreams. I taught at our sister campus in Princeton Medows prior to becoming the Spanish teacher for three years. This is my second year teaching Spanish and I teach at all three campuses.
I really enjoy exploring the world of Spanish language and culture with all my students!
I teach and follow the work lessons of the classrooms. I develop the curriculum throughout the school year to correlate with what children are learning in the classroom. From my experiences as a Montessori teacher and being a native Spanish speaker I have developed the necessary skills to be a successful Spanish teacher and truly enjoy every minute of it!
Mrs. Suh, Technology Teacher
Mrs. Suh hold a B.S. in Elementary Education from The King's College. She has certification in the state of NJ in Elementary School education. Her experience spans over 25 years. She has worked in preschools, daycares, and learning centers teaching reading and math.
Mrs. Suh values community service. She volunteers teaching Sunday school for preschool through 6th grade.
Mrs. Suh has a strong commitment to her family. She has a loving husband, 3 sons (2 in college and 1 in middle school) and a dog.
MCDS Administrators & Staff
Ms. Alexandrini, Principal
Ms. Alexandrini has been a Montessori Educator since 1989. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Education, Ms. Alexandrini completed her Primary and Elementary Montessori training. She is experienced in educating both children and adult learners and has over 10 years of administrator experience. Ms. Alexandrini has worked in New York, New Jersey and Delaware as a teacher and administrator.
"A Montessori education is the strongest foundation for a child's successful future."
She is happy to share her love and commitment to education and the arts with children, staff and families at Montessori Country Day School.
She enjoys spending her time with Christopher and their four cats; Mango, Poppy, Romeo and Jasper. In her spare time she manages an educational consulting business, takes Zumba and Kickboxing classes and is a dancer in the Alborada Spanish Dance Theater Company.
Ms. Gaffney, Assistant to the Principal
Ms. Gaffney is so happy to be a part of the Country Day Family. Ms. Gaffney was a teacher for fourteen years in her early career and loves being around children again. She has also worked as a Customer Service/Technical Support/Loyalty Manager and as a Labor Researcher, where she trained new regional researchers and built the first regional research department. Throughout the years, Ms. Gaffney has sung on open microphones in New York City and has acted in community theaters in Middlesex County. Presently, she likes to try new restaurants and loves spending time making jewelry. Ms. Gaffney looks forward to celebrating the onset of winter with students and staff, and enjoying the winter holidays with family and friends.
Mrs. Berrios, Bus Driver
In her spare time she enjoys cooking and baking for her loving family. Mrs. Berrios is an avid Hindi movie fan. She owns an extensive collection of movies and subscribes to Zee TV.
Mrs. Chakrabarty, Extended Day Assistant Teacher
According to Mrs. Chakrabarty: My name is Ruma Chakrabarty. I have been here at the Montessori Corner Schools since 1994. I am a Montessori trained and AMS certified teacher with a B. A. and M.A. Honors in Geography from the University of North Bengal, India.
After graduation I worked as a geography teacher in Siliguri Public School, India. Once married I moved to Kolkata and worked as a head teacher in K.B. Roy Montessori School in 1984. After moving to the United States in 1989, I worked as a substitute teacher. I became a head teacher at Montessori Corner at Princeton Meadows in 2000 and worked there for several years.
I have a wonderful family with my husband and two sons. They are grown up and my eldest son is married and well educated with the Montessori curriculum as the foundation laid in his early childhood. I am proud to say that I will be a grandma soon. My second son is in college and he was a student here at Montessori Country Day.
In my spare time I volunteer in the Library and Community Service at Temple every Sunday. I hope to continue my teaching career for as long as I can.
Mrs. Mica, Pre-primary & Extended Day Assistant Teacher
In her own words: My name is Debra Mica. I am originally from Brooklyn, NY and attended Brooklyn College. I have a BA degree in Special Education/Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. I was unable to find a job teaching when I graduated. I accepted a position as a Sales Assistant on Wall Street, obtained my Series 7 license and worked for fourteen (14) years at the following companies: Paine Webber, Blythe Eastman Dillon, Dean Witter and Alex Brown. I had gotten married in 1979, had my first daughter in 1984 and was fortunate to be a stay at home mom as I married a Trader who worked on Wall Street. I had my second daughter in 1988. Both children attended Kinderland for preschool and nursery school. When my younger daughter turned three, I applied for a Teacher’s Assistant job at Kinderland and was offered a position working with toddlers. I worked there for four years. Prior to joining MCDS, I worked as an Administrative Assistant/Office Manager for E & L Paving and Capital Printing and worked in Property Management.
I was delighted when I was offered the position and love working with the toddlers. I work with an amazing teacher, Ms. Quodos and two (2) Assistant Teachers, Mrs. Sinha and Mrs. Nazaj. I hope to have the opportunity to attend classes, get recertified and have my own classroom one day.
I have two (2) beautiful daughters and are very proud of them. Lisa is thirty-one (31), lives in Pennsylvania and works as a Teacher’s Assistant as well. Kristen is twenty-six, lives in California and is an Assistant General Manager for a restaurant. I spend a lot of time with my mom as we are very close and I love her dearly.
I miss both of my daughters terribly; however, my cat, Baby, keeps me company and showers me with love and affection.
Ms. Dariano, Extended Day Assistant Teacher
According to Ms. Dariano: Graduating from Kean University, I currently hold a New Jersey Elementary Education certification for grades K-6, with a content area in English Language Arts. My internship resided at Franklin Elementary School in Rahway, teaching 6th grade, which has enabled me to learn new skills and strategies in order to be an effective teacher. Some of my other certifications include First Aid, CPR, Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard, and AED. I have been a swim instructor and lifeguard for over 10 years, working for Making Waves Swim School and Princeton University Aquatics.
Instructing children for so many years has sparked an interest for me and helped me decide my major and career path. Working as a swim instructor and lifeguard at such a young age has also taught me great responsibility and life skills, especially with children.
I have gone through many stepping-stones in my life and my family has been there for me every step of the way. I am very close to my family and see them as ‘one unit’ that supports each other immensely. I have a very strong bond with my sister, as she is my best friend, my confidant, and my companion. With any generation, young or old, I genuinely enjoy the company and experiences I gain in helping others. I pride myself in being honest, reliable and dedicated to whatever endeavors I am undertaking at the time. I am an enthusiastic pint-sized teacher that tends to blend in sometimes with the children, which allows me to have an excellent rapport with every child I encounter.