“A child who has become a master of his/her acts through long and repeated exercises, and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which s/he has been engaged, is a child filled with health and joy and remarkable for his/her calmness and discipline.“–Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
K.T. Korngold, Director
With a lifetime of dedication to authentic Montessori principles and practices, Ms. Korngold was instrumental in the design and creation of the new location of the Montessori Children’s Center in West Harrison, NY. She is widely known from her published articles about Montessori and parenting for regional and national magazines, including Westchester Family Magazine, CT Parent Magazine, Montessori Life Magazine, Tomorrow’s Child, and Infants and Toddlers journal. Since 2011, Ms. Korngold had been the CEO of the Center for Montessori Education, a recognized leader in Montessori teacher and administrator education, which has credentialed over 3,000 Montessori teachers and school administrators. Ms. Korngold traveled to Vietnam as keynote speaker and lead presenter for a Montessori conference for toddler teachers in Hanoi and is currently offering a teacher training program for toddler teachers in Hanoi in 2021-2022. She presented at the AMS conference “Beyond Borders” in Denver, Colorado.
Ms. Korngold received a Certificate of Recognition for her leadership “preparing children for learning and success in school and life” by George Lattimer, Westchester County Executive. She was awarded a Certificate of Merit from New York State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, and a certificate in recognition for her service to the community and to Westchester’s children by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. In June 2019, she was inducted into the first Early Education Hall of Heroes, for her innovative work in early Childhood Education, with a celebratory gala dinner at Mercy College. In December, 2019, she received the Wisdom of the Elders Award from MACTE (The Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education).
Ms. Korngold has a Master’s degree from Columbia University, 12 Graduate credits in Early Childhood Education from The College of New Rochelle, and a Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. She is a Doctoral candidate at University of Wisconsin River Falls. She holds an AMS Administrator credential and an AMS CME|NY Infant and Toddler Montessori credential. She has completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). She is a Zero to Three Certified trainer of the “Growing Brain” curriculum. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. As a child, K.T. was part of the model classroom of the first Montessori education program for Head Start teachers in the United States, a training initiated by her mother, Carole Wolfe Korngold, which was held at SUNY Albany, now the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. Ms. Korngold is married and the mother of two adult daughters who attended Montessori schools.
Colleen Smith, Assistant Director
Colleen has been with MCC since 2013, starting as an assistant in the early childhood class and then working in administration. She completed her Montessori internship in the Infant Room. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). Colleen is also a parent of an MCC graduate. Her daughter Kayla-Azizza attended MCC from 2014-2017. Colleen holds a CME|NY Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential from the American Montessori Society. She is NYOCFS-approved MAT certified. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Infant Cove Room
Terri-Lyn Castillo, Head Infant Guide Infant Cove Room
Miss Terri-Lyn joined MCC in February 2018. She holds an American Montessori Society Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential. She has an Associate’s of Science in Child and Family Services with a Minor in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Cobleskill, a Bachelor of Science in Community and Family Services from SUNY Empire and a Master of Education focus on Curriculum and Instruction for Educators from American Continental University. Terri-Lyn also has a Master of Early Childhood Education from GCU. She is certified in American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR, and NYOCFS-approved MAT certified. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and
Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again. Miss Terri-Lyn is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Briana Lopez, Assistant Infant Cove Room
Miss Briana joined MCC in 2021, She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. Miss Briana is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Infant Sea Room
Teresa-Angie Benevente, Assistant Sea Room
Ms. Benevente has been a long time member for the MCC staff, working previously in the infant room at the Burke location. She returned to join MCC in March 2021 when we opened the Infant Sea Room. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. Miss Benevente is a member of the American Montessori Society. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Toddler Sand Room
Jazmin Morales-Pineda Lead Toddler Guide Sand Room
Miss Jazmin is currently in training with CME|NY for an American Montessori Society Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). Jazmin has been with MCC since 2017. Jazmin is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid.She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Suhey Banks, Assistant Toddler Sand Room
Miss Suhey joined MCC in August 2017 with a solid background of professional experience caring for young children. She has worked in both infant and toddler rooms at MCC. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid.
Teresa Grascia, Assistant Toddler Sand Room
Miss Teresa joined MCC in December 2018 with a solid background of professional experience caring for young children. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Andrea Angeles, Head Toddler Guide Sky Room
Miss Andrea joined MCC in 2008 and has a long career with MCC starting as an assistant and becoming a Head Teacher. She holds a CME|NY Infant and Toddler American Montessori Society Credential. She has BA and is NYOCFS-approved MAT certified. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). Andrea is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Toddler Sun Room
Jeanne Cooper, Head Toddler Guide Sun Room
Miss Jeanne worked as a Head Toddler Guide at MCC at the Burke location and returned to MCC as Head Guide when we opened our new location in West Harrison in July 2018. She has a CME|NY American Montessori Society Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential. She is CPR (Infant and Child) certified and NYOCFS-approved MAT certified. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
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Emma Hall, Assistant Toddler Sun Room
Miss Emma joined MCC in 2021 shortly before graduating from Manhattanville College. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Early Childhood Meadow Room
Helena Schaefer, Lead Teacher Early Childhood Meadow Room
Miss Helena has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence with a concentration on Music and Psychology. She completed research projects on Trauma-Informed Expressive Art Therapy with Children and Understanding Music’s Role in Language Development. With previous experience in early care for the preschool age group, she has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She has recently completed the “In Focus 13-hour Infant and Toddler Symposium” from the American Montessori Society (Fall 2020). Miss Helena is in the process of obtaining her training for a Montessori Early Childhood Credential, completing her practicum at MCC. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Janet Settos, Assistant Early Childhood Meadow Room
Miss Janet joined MCC in February 2011 with a solid background of professional experience caring for young children. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. Miss Settos attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Early Childhood Mountain Room
Kyra Lynch, Head Teacher Early Childhood Mountain Room
Miss Kyra joined MCC in August 2019 to open the Early Childhood Mountain Room. MIss Kyra has an American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential and a Bachelor’s degree. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. Miss Kyra is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. Miss Kyra attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.
Pat Garba, Assistant Early Childhood Mountain Room
Miss Pat joined MCC in the fall of 2019 and has completed her training and internship through CME|NY for her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential. She has completed the 5-hour Foundations of Health and Safety training course from The Professional Development Program of Rockefeller College SUNY Albany. Pat is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. Miss Pat attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again.