“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 for 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 a keynote speaker and lead presenter for a Montessori conference for toddler teachers in Hanoi, Vietnam. She presented at the AMS conference “Beyond Borders” in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Korngold received a Certificate of Recognition for her leadership in “preparing children for learning and success in school and life” from 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 the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She holds an AMS Administrator credential and an AMS CME|NY Infant and Toddler Montessori credential. She is a Zero to Three certified trainer of the “Growing Brain” curriculum. 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 Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again, and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited in Boston, MA. Colleen is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Ms. Terri-Lyn joined MCC in February 2018. She holds an American Montessori Society Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential. She has an Associate 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 and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited in Boston, MA. Ms. Terri-Lyn is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Jazmin Morales-Pineda Lead Toddler Guide Sand Room
The Toddler Sand Room has a capacity of 12 toddlers, 18 months to 36 months old.
Ms. Jazmin holds a CME|NY Infant and Toddler American Montessori Society Credential. She 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). Jazmin has been with MCC since 2017. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. She attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again. Ms. Jazmin is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Andrea Angeles, Head Toddler Guide Sky Room
The Toddler Sky Room has a capacity of 12 toddlers, 18 months to 36 months old.
Ms. Andrea joined MCC in 2008 and has had 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 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 attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited in Boston, MA. Ms. Andrea is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Jeanne Cooper, Head Toddler Guide Sun Room
The Toddler Sun Room has a capacity of 12 toddlers, 18 months to 36 months old.
Ms. 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 holds 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 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 attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited in Boston, MA. Ms. Jeanne is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Helena Schaefer, Head Teacher Early Childhood Meadow Room
The Early Childhood Meadow Room has a capacity of 21 children, 3 years to 6 years old.
Ms. Helena has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence with a concentration in 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 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 and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited in Boston, MA. Ms. Helena is a member of the American Montessori Society.
Kyra Lynch, Head Teacher, Early Childhood Mountain Room
The Early Childhood Mountain room has a capacity of 18 children, three years to 6 years old.
Ms. Kyra joined MCC in August 2019 to open the Early Childhood Mountain Room. She holds 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. She is Red Cross certified Child-Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid. Ms. Kyra attended the March 2021 American Montessori Society Conference Together Again and the March 2023 American Montessori Conference, Reunited and Reignited, in Boston, MA. Ms. Kyra is a member of the American Montessori Society.
All staff receive at least 15 hours of PD each year, plus first aid training and CPR training.