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Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca
120 East King Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.277.7335
Copyright ©2020 Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca. All Rights Reserved.
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Sophia graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2006 with a B.A. in creative writing and literature. She grew up in Ithaca and attended LACS, where she first became passionate about non-traditional methods of education. Before finding EAC she worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension as an Outreach Educator for Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE). Sophia fell in love with the Montessori method of education during the two years she spent working in the EAC After-School program and primary classrooms, and went on to complete her Lower Elementary Montessori training at the Barrie School’s Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Maryland. Sophia lives with her husband Tino, and dog Darla, and enjoys writing, eating tasty food, playing the piano, and spending quiet time in the woods.
Amanda Medlock graduated summa cum laude with a BA in English from Georgia Southern University. She completed her Master’s degree in English from the same school. At her alma mater, Amanda taught two years of creative writing to incoming freshmen. She joined the EAC team in the fall of 2019 and is looking forward to strengthening her relationships between students, staff, and the greater Ithacan community. When she’s not on campus, she enjoys reading, creative writing, cooking, and film.
Since 1999 Stephen Lenhart has been teaching in a variety of learning communities, both public and private, working with students ranging in age from three to thirty in three different countries. He studied Geography and Environmental Science at SUNY Geneseo and did his graduate work in Elementary Education at LeMoyne College in Syracuse. He is state certified K-6th grade. He has been at EAC since 2008 and is in the process of completing Upper Level Montessori Elementary training through the Center for Montessori Education. Stephen’s interests center around the exploration of connections between beings and how to most beautifully express and enhance those connections. Writing, walking, sharing food, and playing games are some of the ways he enjoys connecting. Stephen lives at Fern Hollow with many beautiful and intelligent beings: Katri, Finn, Gavin, ZeeZee the dog, brother cats Bob and George, four sweet goats named Fawn, Ferny, Fraggle and Francis Friday, as well as a wonderful assortment of chickens.
Cindy holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maine and an M.S. in Outdoor Environmental Education from SUNY Cortland. Cindy taught at camps, parks and nature centers up and down the East Coast for 10 years. Teaching children in non-traditional settings has always been her passion. Cindy lives in Trumansburg where she enjoys gardening, cooking and preserving the local bounty by canning and freezing. Cindy also operates a tailoring, alteration and custom sewing business “CindySews”.
Maria Saccuccimorano grew up on LI and graduated from Cornell University in 1986 with a BS in Human Development and Family studies. In 1990, Maria graduated from the Gainesville School of Massage and spent the next 25+ years in Ithaca practicing as a licensed massage therapist and raising a family. After graduating from nursing school in 2013, she settled happily into working as a full time ICSD school nurse. She’s excited to be part of the EAC Montessori community. Outside of work, Maria spends as much time as she can outdoors often with her husband and dog, exploring the amazing Ithacan natural world.
Patrice Jennings holds a B.A. in Community Development and Philosophy of Alternative Education from Goddard College. Patrice left her career in retail management in 2009 after stints managing for a number of local businesses, including GreenStar Cooperative Market, Ithaca Bakery, and Borders Books and Music. Patrice is a native Ithacan who feels at home in Montessori classrooms, being an alumna of both the Ithaca Montessori School and Ithaca’s now defunct public Montessori K-2 program, and having spent countless hours in her mother’s school, Montessori County Day from 1975 through 2005; pretty much “growing up” in a Montessori environment. She lives in Danby with her two children, two cats, seven finches, one snake and one bearded dragon. Patrice enjoys researching and learning the answer to any “why…” or “how…” questions she is asked, and reading anything and everything she has time for.
Gary Weiss has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education, and a Minor in coaching from Cortland University and Ithaca College. He has 11 years of experience teaching and coaching in Ithaca and the surrounding areas. He has coached a number of team sports including tennis, swimming, basketball, soccer, track and softball. He is currently involved in coaching track & field and cross-country for the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Gary is an avid bicyclist, swimmer, hiker and gym rat. Wood working and all aspects of construction are a part time passion as well (something that he has done for over 37 years). He has lived in Ithaca for 34 years with his wife Erica. His two grown daughters, Laurel and Hanna, reside in Florida and Ithaca respectively. Gary has been involved with the “Big Brother” organization for 22 years. Gary is currently a “Big Brother” to an 13 year old. The two have been together for one and a half years. Gary’s extended family also includes his dog, Rudy and his cat, Tango.
Ryan Zawel has been the music director and a parent at EACMSI since 2008. In addition to teaching all types of music at EACMSI, he directs Cornell University’s Klezmer Ensemble. A professional trombonist and tuba player, he has performed with the Tommy Dorsey Band, Broadway’s Miss Saigon, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and the Joel Rubin Jewish Music Ensemble. He has collaborated with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and Zappa Plays Zappa. Locally, Ryan is a member of The Destination and El Rumbon. Ryan’s wife, Nicki, is a fellow music educator. They have three children, Daniel (14), Ruby (11). and Quincy (5).
Linda Chen received her M.A. and Ed.M in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Teaching, singing, and making music with children of all ages is her passion. She loves engaging with different instrumentations, singing, listening, rhythm games, improvisation, creative movement, storytelling, as well as multi-cultural experiences with students during her teaching. Linda is a registered Music Together teacher and is also Orff Level I, II and III certified. She received her Kodaly Level 1 Teacher Certification at NYU and Dalcroze training in NYC. Linda enjoys baking, cooking, and outdoor activities. She lives with her family in Ithaca.
Tiana currently teaches junior level, upper level and middle school Art at EAC.
She holds a BFA in Ceramics from SUNY Buffalo, and a teaching license in Art Education K-12 from Metro State Denver.
She studied Ceramics at Haystack Mountain School of Arts and Crafts, Maine College of Art, Colorado University at Boulder and mentored at The Roycroft Pottery in East Aurora, NY.
She worked for 12 years as an elementary and middle school art teacher for Denver Public Schools. During those years she was involved in numerous community based art projects.
Her passion is working with clay and teaching art to children, teens and adults. She loves to dabble in all other mediums as well. She currently owns and operates Orange Poppy, a jewelry and accessory line, and teaches classes at The Clay School of Ithaca.
Angela Cohen was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. She graduated with a BA in Marketing from Anhembi Morumbi University and worked for over 13 years at BASF headquarters in São Paulo. A native Portuguese speaker, Angela learned Spanish as a second language. As a Business-to-Business marketing analyst specializing in Latin American markets, she made periodic trips to many South American countries applying language in her professional experience. Through this process she acquired a vast vocabulary, including a wide range of expressions unique to each country, as well as cultivating a profound understanding of the different cultures and traditions. After a long and successful professional career, she retired to focus on her family and the wellbeing of her children. Angela has concluded her CMTE Montessori 3-6 training and is currently completing a comprehensive Montessori Spanish Curriculum for EAC. Her goal as a Montessori teacher is to enable children to learn a new language and to discover new cultures, while in the process, to appreciate and cultivate diversity. Angela lives in Ithaca with her husband, their two children and their dog Panda. She enjoys nature and peaceful walks on deserted beaches along with her family.
Allison Boex graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Classics from Kenyon College in 2003, having also spent a semester studying Latin and ancient Greek at Eberhard Karls University in Tubingen, Germany. She came to Cornell University the following fall to pursue her doctorate and began teaching Latin at EACMSI in 2012. Allison completed her Ph.D. at Cornell in 2014 with a dissertation on Latin grave poetry. She loves the enthusiasm her EACMSI students bring to the classroom and appreciates the opportunity to be part of such a remarkable community. When not teaching dead languages, she enjoys working and spending time in the orchards at Indian Creek Farm.
Kathrin Achenbach was born and raised in Germany, and studied Romance languages and psychology at the University of Siegen. Her passion for language brought her to Madrid, Spain where she taught at the Inlingua International School of Languages. She has since worked as a teacher and translator in Buenos Aires and Barcelona and traveled extensively through Central America and the Iberian Peninsula. Kathrin has a special interest in applied linguistics and how a second language is effectively acquired, integrated and maintained.
At the heart of it all is the exploration of how people use language to express themselves, make connections, share knowledge and bridge diverse cultures and experience.
She is also the executive director of WEAVE Community, a local non-profit, which cultivates opportunities for honest conversations between diverse social, cultural and economic groups.
Jim Hodges joined the EAC Montessori Adolescent Program in August 2002. Prior to this, Jim spent 13 years as Lead Teacher of the Middle School at The Susquehanna School in Binghamton, NY, where he developed an integrated curriculum for adolescents and taught all subjects. Jim earned his B.A. in English from the University at Albany and his MAT in English from Binghamton University. He has permanent NY State teacher certification for grades pre-K to 6 and secondary English, and received his Montessori Adolescent training at the NAMTA Montessori Academy at Loyola College in Baltimore. Jim enjoys running, cycling, gardening, hiking, and camping, among other outdoor activities, interests he enjoys sharing with students. He lives with his wife, Tina, former Junior Level teacher and founding principal of New Roots Charter School, at Ecovillage at Ithaca.
Badsha holds a B.Sc in Computing and Information Systems and an M.A in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto. After spending several years working as an Upper Elementary lead teacher in private educational institutions in Canada, the United States, and India, Badsha joined the Upper Level Team at Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori in January of 2019. Born and raised in South Africa, during apartheid and the time of the country’s transition into a modern democracy, Badsha’s identity as a teacher is influenced by the concept of Ubuntu, which is based on notions of community, inter-generational respect and mutuality.Badsha utilizes the modality of inquiry-based lesson plans and project-based assessment strategies to bring awareness to issues of social justice and inequity while promoting intercultural understanding. Badsha is thrilled to be part of the community at EAC where students are inspired to become life-long learners and are encouraged to cultivate a more conscious and caring world community.
Marisa is currently in training for Upper Level Elementary through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and conducting her internship year. She is also is the program coordinator and an instructor of the Center for Montessori Education’s Infant/Toddler Guide Training Program in New Rochelle NY. She is certified at the Infant/Toddler level through CME|NY and was the head guide of the toddler community at the Montessori Children’s Center in White Plains NY for 5 years prior to moving to the Ithaca Area in 2010. She trains new Montessori teachers throughout the US and Asia. Marisa began working with children through tutoring with The Sisters of Mercy Mission in an urban development in Wilkes-Barre, PA and continued as a student advisor with Project Upward Bound for many years. She graduated from Wilkes University with majors in Political Science and Sociology. She believes deeply in the values and connection of service. She loves astronomy, physics, fiber work, theatre, and gardening. Marisa lives in Candor, NY with her husband, Rob, two children, Rowan and Maeve (both current EACMSI students) and their cat, Ginger.
Marianne Montague holds a B.S. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College and an MSW in Social Policy Analysis & Research from Rutgers University. For thirteen years Marianne moved between employment as an elementary classroom teacher in various educational settings, to work as a policy analyst/researcher in an education laboratory. In 1993 she fortuitously discovered the magic of a Montessori education when she enrolled her then young son in the Ithaca Montessori School. The following year she received her Montessori training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education and ran the Toddler Program at IMS from 1994-1999. She completed her Upper Elementary Montessori training at CMTE in New York and joined our staff in 1998.
Karen McCaffery holds a B.S. in Psychology from SUNY Oswego. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, working in forestry and environmental education. She returned to NY to study agroecosystem science at Cornell University where she earned her M.S. and Ph.D. Field research took her to the Brazilian Amazon where she studied agroforestry. She fell in love with Montessori Philosophy in 2003 when she became a mother. She earned her Early Childhood Certification in 2007 while working at Cayuga Heights Montessori House. She completed her Upper Elementary Training through the College for Montessori Teacher Education (CMTE) in 2013. She loves ethnobotany, ecosystem science, exploring nature, Yoga, swimming, and the sport of triathlon. She joined the EACMSI community in 2012 along with her sons, Sean (2003) and Brian (2005).
Katri Sampson fell in love with the Montessori Method in 1992 soon after graduating from Trinity College with a BA in English and Fine Arts. After a year as an assistant teacher in a Montessori Primary classroom in Portland, Maine, she began her 3-6 Montessori training at the Northeast Montessori Institute. She taught at several Montessori schools before opening the Red House Montessori School in North Yarmouth, Maine in 1999. In 2005, Katri moved to Ithaca and devoted the next four years to being with her young children while getting acquainted with the local Montessori community. In 2009, when her younger son turned three, she joined the staff of EACMSI. In 2012, after a year of teaching in the EACMSI Lower Elementary program, Katri began her 6-9 Montessori credentialing at the Seacoast Center for Education in Stratham, NH. She is passionate about Peace Education, child and animal welfare, preserving natural resources and living gently on the Earth. Katri dreams of homesteading and lives in an old farmhouse in Danby with her partner Stephen, sons Finn and Gavin, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 7 goats & 21 chickens.
Dawn Locke Grover began teaching in a Montessori environment in 1990. While doing her masters degree in experiential education, she accepted a summer teaching job with 3-6 year olds at Countryside Montessori School in Boulder, Colorado. She liked the Montessori philosophy so much that she taught at Countryside for 5 years, and then moved to Washington, DC to do her Montessori elementary training for 6-12 year old children. Both desire to travel and professional opportunity have led to a variety of teaching situations for Dawn since 1990. Wanting to settle closer to their roots, Dawn and her husband, Scott moved their family to Ithaca in 2003. Dawn began teaching at EACMSI in September of 2003. In her personal time, Dawn loves to read, hike, camp, travel, make art, and play games. She lives on West Hill with her husband, and her daughter Lily. Her son Cameron, an alum of EACMSI, attends Marist College.
Melani began her journey in the EAC community in 1984. She holds a B.S. in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland and created and implemented the first Physical Education program at the EAC Montessori School. She then took her Montessori Primary training in 1985 at NAMPTA in Boston, and completed her 6-9 training at CMTE/New Rochelle in 2000. Melani has completed initial training in Brain Gym® and is certified in Movement Based Learning. Melani shares her love of movement and collaborates with teachers to implement ongoing Movement lessons for the Primary and Junior Level classes. Melani co-authored Movement Matters, a Movement Album for Montessori Early Childhood Programs. She presents Movement Matters Workshops internationally as well as presenting at National Montessori Conferences. Melani enjoys playing the guitar and piano and singing with the children. She is an artist and brings experience and passion for watercolor to the classroom as well. Her background in music and theater support her commitment to the choreography and direction of the end of the year school musical. Melani’s two children, Tim and Annali, are alumni of EAC and have subsequently graduated with degrees in musical theater from SUNY Cortland. Melani lives out in the country with her husband, Tom, a professor of Physical Education at SUNY Cortland.
Becky Booth grew up in Germany, attending both German and American Schools. She moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Kentucky, where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in German Linguistics. After graduating she worked in a Montessori school that only had Primary classes. It was there that she discovered her love of the philosophy. While the school made plans to expand it’s program to include a Junior Level, Becky went to Xavier University to get a Masters in Montessori Elementary education. She designed the Junior Level environment and curriculum for Providence Montessori School in Lexington Kentucky. She taught there until the birth of her first child and subsequent move to Gainesville, Florida. Since then Becky, her husband Jim and their three children have had the wonderful opportunity of living in Canberra, Australia, Fort Collins, CO and finally Ithaca in 2003. Originally it was only supposed to be a one year stay but Jim, her husband was offered a permanent position. Becky decided to check out the local Montessori schools, and immediately felt a connection to EAC. She started subbing in primary and Junior Level, and once her children started going to college took a full time position teaching in Junior Level, working with Scott, Deb and Mel. After a two year sabbatical, during which she lived in Connecticut, Australia and spent time with her new grandson, she is looking forward to rejoicing the EAC community in the 18-19 school year.
Deb Adams graduated with a B.Arch and an M.Arch II from Cornell University. She taught for 3 years at Syracuse University as an assistant professor in the architecture department, and for an additional 3 years as a visiting lecturer at Cornell. She has two sons, Nate (an EACMSI alumni) who is beginning his Junior Year at Ithaca High School and Zach who is entering his 2nd and final year in the EACMSI Middle School. Deb completed her 6-9 training at CMTE/New Rochelle during the summer of in 2012, and will begin her 8th year in Junior Level. She also has developed the Technology piece of the Junior Level curriculum, is the technology coordinator for all levels, and has taught several summer camps centered on computer programming for children. When not in the classroom, Deb can often be seen around town with her camera.
Virginia Spiers graduated from Wells College in 2003 where she majored in Religious Studies and minored in Spanish. That summer Virginia accepted a position in a Montessori classroom and soon developed a lifelong love of this philosophy of education. Virginia joined the staff of EACMSI in 2007. She received her Montessori certification at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 2009. Virginia lives in the area with her husband James, two children, Madison and Kaeden, their dog Lola and their cat Amadeus. Virginia loves gardening, dancing, working with clay and spending evenings volunteering at Ithaca’s local Hospicare.
Donyan Shadions received her AMS certification from CMTE in 2002. She taught at the Primary Level for 2 years before being asked to start a Montessori school in EACMSI’s founder Andrea’s honor in the Caraballo Haitian Batey of the Dominican Republic. This entailed learning Spanish while living among the Dominican and Haitian people in this rural village without modern amenities such as running water and electricity. She was responsible for creating a functioning Montessori classroom using material she had brought with her, as well as hiring and training local women to assist her. Donyan trained her assistants and prepared them to run the program in her absence. The lives of the village women and children were transformed as Donyan shared the Montessori Method with them. In 2006, Donyan returned to her native state of Ohio where she worked as an Activities Director in a Residential Care Facility. She took the opportunity to implement the Montessori Method with patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s to support independence and improve working memory. In addition to this work, Donyan also volunteered as a bi-lingual parent educator at Women’s Network. Donyan returned to EACMSI in 2008 to teach at the Primary Level. She is interested in movement as a vehicle for learning as well as individual learning styles. Donyan attained certification in Thai Yoga Therapy in 2012 and utilizes this expertise to support children and their sensory needs. Donyan offers parent education workshops to provide parents with a fuller understanding of the Montessori Method. Donyan lives with her daughter Zairra, a student at EACMSI. Among her many passions are empowering girls to have a positive body image. She loves yoga, Spanish and German language practice and the Montessori lifestyle.
Meridith graduated from SUNY Environmental Sciences and Forestry in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She has several years of experience working for agencies in Syracuse and Ithaca that support and advocate for people with disabilities. Meridith received her early childhood Montessori certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute. She has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College. Nature and the outdoors are a big part of her life where she enjoys camping, hiking and baseball. Meridith lives in Ithaca with her wife Pat and two cats.
Becca received her B.A. from SUNY Fredonia in 2005 with a degree in psychology and a minor in English. She worked for six years as a parent educator for teen moms before moving on to Head Start, where she was an in-home educator for children ages 0-5. She first developed a love of the Montessori Method after enrolling her eldest daughter in a Montessori program in 2010. Becca served as a one-to-one aide in the Primary Level for two years before taking her Montessori training through CME at the College of New Rochelle. She is excited to be entering her thrid year as teacher at EAC. Becca lives with her husband and two daughters, and she loves reading and spending time with her family.
Leah Erato has been working with children for over 18 years in a variety of settings. Her passion for Montessori was sparked while working with the inspiring staff in Upper Level as an aide. After three years at EACMSI she followed her heart, completed her 3-6 training, and received her Primary Certification in June 2011 from CMTE. Leah lives in Ithaca with her dancing daughter Emma and sweet son Jack. In her spare time she loves to sew, paint, bake and read. Leah and her family can often be found hiking with their pup Caper or chasing chickens around their yard.
Liz Allen graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in mathematics. She worked for seven years in banking and then began working with NGO’s giving business support. After becoming a mother, Liz was very involved in the administration and teaching at cooperative preschools in both New Haven, Connecticut and Ithaca. When her children joined our school in 1999, she frequently worked as a volunteer and substitute. She received her Montessori training for 3-6 year olds at Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Liz has training in the diagnosis and remediation of learning problems in mathematics from Prof. Mahesh C. Sharma. Liz lives in Ithaca with her husband, Glenn, two children, Miles and Nelle, and dogs, Osa and Linus.
Whitney is responsible for managing the software used each day by EAC families and staff to ensure smooth operations of the school. She maintains and supports ParentsWeb, FACTS and PickUp Patrol. She handles student registrations and supports Admissions, Accounting, Communications, and the Front Office. Whitney grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, graduating from UNC. (Go TarHeels!). She worked in software tech support and managed software development projects for Sabre Business Travel Solutions/Travelocity for several years before moving to Ithaca in 2001. Her husband, Jeff is the eBird Development Lead at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology. They have two (wonderful and occasionally challenging) children, Grace (EAC graduate) and Tractor (EAC Middle Schooler). Whitney enjoys traveling, exploring nature, knitting, and most introvert endeavors.
Wendy is responsible for public relations, marketing, social media campaigns, communications and fundraising for the school. Wendy brings over 15 years of experience working in the fields of communications, marketing, business management, event planning and community relations. Her educational background in marketing, business management, graphic design and photography combined with her desire to help EAC reach beyond the walls of our school and into the greater community drives her. A Trumansburg native, she always has her camera (and most likely a coffee) and can be found with her family, gardening, hiking, chasing sunsets and moon rises and on long biking excursions. Wendy’s son, Grayson, is a student in our Junior Level program.
Rebecca Couillard is responsible for communicating with the EACMSI community about events and schedules, attendance and other administrative duties. She has been in the Ithaca area since coming to Cornell University in 1987. She completed her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering in 1991 and her Ph.D. in Fiber Science in 1998 at Cornell. Her daughter graduated from the EAC program and currently attends Ithaca High School. Rebecca teaches scuba diving and enjoys playing her cello.
Lisa Smith is our Chief Operating Officer and is ultimately responsible for all administrative decisions. Lisa oversees finances, facilities and Admissions and is responsible for building and maintaining a strong leadership team. Lisa joined EACMSI in July of 2002 as our Business Administrator. Lisa has been a steward of the School’s resources and is responsible for prudent budgeting, financial management and has overseen numerous capital projects. Over the past 10 years Lisa has worked closely with the Board and has overseen the annual budget. During that time Lisa also grew the school’s enrollment. Lisa earned her B.A. in Political Science from Ithaca College and her M.S. in Applied Science from Watson School of Engineering at Binghamton University. Lisa lives in Newfield with her husband Scott.
Anne works with students, families and staff facilitating conflict resolution and problem solving social and developmental issues. She oversees our Special Education services, our Health Curriculum, and the community/parent observations at school. Anne began her relationship with EACMSI in 1997 as our school nurse. She has been an RN and Family Nurse Practitioner since 1980. Anne is also licensed as a Master’s prepared Social Worker in New York State. She enjoys experiences in nature and the beauty of the Ithaca area. Anne’s adult children live and work in Austin, TX.
Laura is responsible for providing moral, intellectual and educational leadership that creates and sustains educational programs of the highest order. She is responsible for aligning current practice with the vision of Dr. Maria Montessori. Laura is accessible and responsive to all constituencies: students, staff, parents, and alumni. She is an innovative thinker who has been a guiding force in leading EAC to adapt Montessori pedagogy to meet the needs of 21st century students. Laura served as our Montessori Learning Support Specialist for 7 years, working with students experiencing challenges in the school setting; she has extensive experience in the field of learning disabilities, assessment and intervention. Laura spearheaded the development of the school’s Learning and Support Model. This model extends the parameters of the Montessori Method to ensure that all kinds of learners can be educated within a Montessori paradigm. Laura began her Montessori life as a Primary teacher. She earned her certification in 1995 from CMTE at the College of New Rochelle and taught at the Primary Level for 7 years. Laura then taught at the Junior Level for 3 years. She lives in Enfield with her husband and has 2 grown daughters. Laura loves Bikram Yoga, flowers and reading. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Vermont.
Terry Cater-Cyker is responsible for school-wide scheduling and overall program quality and consistency. Terry also serves as Master Teacher liaison in support of Specialty Teachers and Teaching Teams. Terry earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Cornell University and did some graduate work in Special Education at Mansfield College. Prior to motherhood, she worked as a school social worker and chaired the Spencer Van Etten school district’s Committee for Special Education. Terry was involved in LaLeche League, serving as a leader for three years and also taught Sunday school and chaired her church’s religious education committee. Terry completed her Upper Level Montessori training at CMTE/NY. Terry has three children, all who are EACMSI graduates! Now also a grandmother, she enjoys spending time with her 5 grandchildren.