In the primary classes (ages 3 –6), the Montessori teacher assumes a more subtle posture in the classroom than the traditional teacher. Following the Montessori philosophy that children learn by doing, the teacher sets up the classroom with an emphasis on materials designed for manipulation by the children. While the Montessori teacher does demonstrate how the materials are to be used, the lecture format and structured group activities are de-emphasized in favor of independent work activities selected and scheduled by each child with the teacher’s guidance.

Low student-to-teacher ratios permit the teacher to provide support to each child as they proceed at his or her own pace with the chosen work activities, and to monitor the progress of each child. The Montessori teacher approaches the education process with an understanding that it is necessary to give a child enough information to sustain them while they learn the process of learning. In striving to maintain this goal, the teacher must avoid developing within the child a dependence upon the teacher as the primary provider of information. A teacher’s greatest success is to help the child to assume responsibility for his or her own education.

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Fax the completed form to 860.298.9036 or mail it to:

Windsor Montessori School
114 Palisado Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095

Philosophy

Staff Bios

Anne Wakelin - Anne is the Early Childhood Manager for the Windsor Discovery Center and the Windsor Montessori School.  Anne has been with the program since September of 1981 and is responsible for the administration of all programs.  Anne holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration from Central Connecticut State University.  Anne serves as co-chair on the Advisory Board for the Hartford Accreditation Facilitation Project and is on the Statewide Accreditation Project.  Anne holds the State of Connecticut Masters Level Directors credential.

Holly Hastings - Holly is the lead Early Childhood Educator for one of the Montessori primary classes.  She holds an AMS Montessori certificate from the Montessori Teacher’s Institute.  Holly is also a counselor for the elementary summer camp program.  Holly received her bachelor’s degree from Wheelock College and has been working here since September of 1987.

Hina Rauf –  Hina joined our team in August 2004.  She holds a Masters Degree in business and Montessori primary certification from the New England Montessori Training Center.  She has several years of experience working in the Montessori environment.  She is a lead teacher in one of our Montessori classrooms and “Taste of Montessori” summer camp.

Karla Goulet –  Karla joined our staff in August 2005.  She holds a Bachelors Degree in Geography from Central Connecticut State University with a minor in Psychology.  Karla holds her AMS certification from the Montessori Teacher’s Institute.  She has previously taught children ages 3-6 at Mt. Hope Montessori School in Mansfield.  She is a lead teacher in one of our Montessori primary classrooms, the Montessori after care program, and in the “Taste of Montessori” summer camp.  Karla is pursuing her Masters Degree at UCONN.

Eric Banasiewicz -  Eric is a 1993 Magna cum laude graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a BA in Art Education.  He joined our staff in November 1993.  He is the art teacher for Montessori kindergarten and the assistant in a Montessori classroom.  Eric is also the coordinator of the before and after school elementary program.

Arlene Pearce - Arlene joined our full time teaching staff in September 1999.  She is a lead Early Childhood Educator in one of our Montessori primary classrooms and a teacher in our elementary after school program.  Arlene holds AMS certification from the Montessori Teacher’s Institute.

Edwedge Zizzamia -   Eddie has been with our program since March 2000.  She has many years of experience working with young children as well as three years of college education.    She currently works as an assistant in one of our Montessori classrooms and is the lead teacher for one of the Montessori after care programs.

Lori Burnham -  Lori is an assistant teacher, splitting her time as an assistant in one of the Montessori classrooms and lead teacher in the afternoon preschool program.  Lori originally joined our staff in 1984.  Lori has over 24 years experience working with Infants and Toddlers, preschoolers and elementary age children.  Lori will complete her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) in December 2008.

Jessica Fargnoli – Jessica joined our team in August 1996.  She is an assistant in one of the Montessori primary classrooms and the Montessori after care program.  She is currently working on her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential).

Barbara Higgins – Barbara is the assistant teacher in the Montessori Toddler program and also works in one of the Montessori after care classrooms.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Relations from UCONN.  Barbara worked for three years as a preschool teacher before starting her own family.  She was new to our teaching team for the 2005/2006 school year.