Our Team
Twin Parks Montessori Schools
Dr. Kathy Roemer, Executive Director
Park West Montessori Faculty
Infant and Toddler Classrooms
Green Room
Orange Room
Aqua Room
Rainbow Room
Tangerine Room
Turquoise Room
Early Childhood Classrooms
Red Room
Blue Room
Purple Room
Yellow Room
Magenta Room
Park West Montessori Staff
Jessica Anub, Education Director
Judith Kineke, Administrative Coordinator
Shelly McGuire, Admissions Director
Kiri The Bunny
Park West Montessori
Park West Montessori is located just across the street from Central Park at 103rd and is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES) and is an affiliate school of Columbia University. All our lead teachers are Montessori certified and have training in early childhood education.
Infant And Toddler Teaching Teams
Green Room
Yolanda has been at Park West since 1994 and has always taught in the Green Room. She has watched many of her former students graduate our program and is often the first stop when alumni come back to visit Park West. Yolanda earned her Montessori Certification through CMTE, and is CDA trained and has been working with young children since 1991. She is the very proud mother of two sons, Ta-ron and Michael.
Gabriela joined Park West Montessori in 2006 and has been working with young children since 1989. She is originally from Mexico and received her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Universidad Nacionale Autonoma de Mexico and received her Montessori certification from CMTE. Gabriela is a mother of twins, both Park West graduates.
Gabrielle first joined Park West in 2002. She received her International Baccalaureate Degree from the Overseas Children School in Colombo, Sri-Lanka and her Montessori certification through CMTE. Gabrielle has a natural gift with children and feels it a special privilege to observe our youngest of students as they discover so much about their new world and their place in it.
Hulda joined Park West in 2009. She received her diploma in Elementary Education from Sam Sharpe Teachers College in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a B.A. in Psychology from City College, and completed her Montessori training at CMTE. She is currently enrolled in John Jay College pursuing her graduate degree in Mental Health Hygiene and Counseling. Hulda wishes to pursue a doctorate in developmental psychology.
Maria joined Park West Montessori in 2000. Maria has three children, six grandchildren, and is studying Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College. She received her Child Development Associate degree from Touro College.
Mirella has been working at Park West Montessori since 1998 with both infants and toddlers. As a proud mother and grandmother, she especially enjoys working with our infants (with whom attachment comes quickly and mutually). Mirella has an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and plans to continue her studies in Early Childhood Education.
Orange Room
Antonia came to Park West Montessori in 2002 and previously worked with young children at New York’s River School. She completed her Montessori Infant/Toddler certification at CMTE. Antonia received her Child Development Associate credential from Touro College. She is a licensed practical nurse and worked for four years in the intensive care unit of a clinic. Antonia has been a foster parent and has four children.
Maria joined Park West in 2007 and worked with preschool children at Bloomingdale’s Head Start program before coming to Park West. During this time, she was also a member of a team that cared for young infants. Maria received her B.A. in Childhood Education from Boricua College. She is the proud mother of one daughter.
Mindy came to Park West in 2008. She is currently pursuing her degree from John Jay College in Criminal Justice. Mindy has worked at the New York Public Library, has been a nanny, and enjoys reading in her spare time.
Aqua Room
Anany, at Park West Montessori since 2000, received her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification from CMTE/NY. She received her Child Development Associate credential from Touro College. Anany has one daughter who is a Park West graduate.
Caitlin joined Park West in 2008. She received her BA in Psychology from Emory University and her MA in Applied Sociology from Montclair University. Caitlin completed her Montessori training at CMTE. Before coming to Park West, Caitlin participated in a mentoring program helping teachers plan classroom activities. She finds working with young children very rewarding.
Yesenia joined Park West in 2007. She has much experience working with young children as she is the proud mother of three! Her mother, Maria, has worked at Park West for many years.
Rainbow Room
Mariana joined Park West Montessori in 2004. She holds her Montessori Infant and Toddler certification from Princeton Center for Teacher Education. From her native country, Romania, she holds BS and MA degrees in Economics, and has also earned a teacher certificate. Prior to joining Park West Montessori she worked for three years in Manhattan as an associate Montessori directress in a toddler program. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, one who is a current Park West student and one a Park West graduate.
Bahejjah spent two years teaching at the Center for Preschool and Family Learning, where she worked with toddlers and preschool children before joining Park West Montessori in 2002. She received her B.A. in Economics and is currently taking a class at Columbia University. Bahejjah is the proud mother of two adorable Park West students.
Sherly joined Park West in 2007. As a former substitute and assistant teacher, she has worked in nearly all of our classrooms and is well known by most of our children and parents. Sherly finds great joy in working with young children.
Tangerine Room
Eve, who has been at Park West Montessori since 2001, has worked with infant, toddler, and pre-school children. She received her Infant and Toddler Montessori credential through CMTE. She is currently pursuing her Infant and Toddler Montessori credential through CMTE. She is working on her degree in Education and Social Work at Hunter College. Eve is a devoted mother to two boys.
Elizabeth joined Park West in 2009. She received her B.A. in English Literature and Pre-Education from Ohio State University. Elizabeth tutored at-risk students in an after-school program for the Godman Guild Association in Columbus, Ohio and served as an assistant teacher in two Montessori schools in upstate New York. As a former Montessori student, she believes that her childhood experiences in a Montessori classroom gave her a love for learning and confidence that has remained with her through the years.
Valerie Valerie came to Park West in 2008. She graduated from John Jay College with a BA in Criminal Justice. Previously, Valerie volunteered with a peer mentoring group where she assisted students with problem-solving and aided students with homework assignments. In high school, Valerie won numerous awards in the ROTC. In her free time, Valerie enjoys being an aunt to her three young nieces and her nephew.
Turquoise Room
Astrid is Park West’s Infant/Toddler Coordinator and has been at Park West since 1995. In addition to being certified as an Infant/Toddler Montessori Teacher by CMTE/NY, Astrid has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Before moving to the United States from Colombia, she earned a degree in Social Work. Astrid was the Child Care Inc. 2005 Golden Heart Awardee at the Champions for Children Awards.
Maria P. has been with Park West since 2006 working with Early Childhood students and toddlers. She is originally from Romania where she worked with preschool children in traditional and summer camp programs and completed her Montessori training at CMTE. Maria also worked with foreign students visiting Romania in the Exchange Experience Program.
Claudette joined Park West in 2007. Affectionately known at Park West as “Cookie”, she has worked with infants to school age children since 2000. As the mother of three boys, Cookie is quite busy outside of school. She enjoys sports, reading, and puzzles.
Early Childhood Teaching Teams
Red Room
Mariel joined Park West Montessori in 2001. She has her Early Childhood Montessori certification from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. In addition, she has received her Certificate of Childcare from NYU and has an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College. Originally from Argentina, Mariel lives in New York City with her family. Her pastimes are gardening and painting.
Joseph joined Park West in 2007 after conducting his student teacher practicum at Brooklyn Heights Montessori School in an early childhood classroom. He received his BA in History from Lehman College and received his Montessori Certification from CMTE. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, Joseph taught history for the New York City Public Schools.
Beatrice a mother and grandmother, has worked with children for many years. Before joining Park West Montessori, she worked for Head Start and with the American Red Cross. She also completed the Introduction to Montessori course at CMTE/NY. Since 1997, Beatrice has worked in many of the different classrooms, and with all age groups.
Blue Room
Jean came to Park West Montessori in 2006 and is in New York while her husband serves as a UN Diplomat. She received her Montessori training in Kenya where she introduced children to the Montessori methodology and completed her Montessori certification through CMTE/NY. Jean sought out a Montessori school upon arriving in New York and we are so fortunate that she found Park West Montessori.
Ellen joined Park West in 2008. She received her BS in Childhood Education/Special Education and her MA in Literacy Education at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education. Ellen has spent time volunteering for The Boys Club and The Door/University Settlement. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing the piano, and practicing Taekwondo.
Gladys started at Park West in 2007. She earned her Associate of Science degree in Elementary Education and additional credits in bilingual education. She was previously a family day care provider here in New York City as well as an assistant teacher in an elementary school in Puerto Rico.
Purple Room
Yayoi started working at Park West Montessori as a substitute and joined our full-time staff in 2006. Yayoi is originally from Japan and worked as a fashion designer before she came to the U.S. to study education. She then found her love for the Montessori educational environment while working as an intern at a Montessori school. In addition to receiving her BA degree from Japan, she also has a BS in Early Childhood and Special Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, and also holds an MA in International Education and specialized in Bilingual Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Yayoi received her Early Childhood Montessori certification at West Side Montessori School’s Teacher Education Program. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University.
Irena is originally from the Czech Republic, and came to Park West Montessori in 2002, after one year of working in a public school. She received her BA in Psychology from CUNY. Irena received her Early Childhood Montessori certification from West Side Montessori School’s Teacher Education Program.
Trudian came to Park West in 2007. She attended Caliber Training Institute where she took courses in childcare. She previously worked at other Manhattan nursery schools with children ages 6 months-5 years. Trudian has also been a volunteer with different centers and plans to continue her studies in Early Childhood Education as well as Social Work.
Yellow Room
Gemma joined Park West in 2007. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and her Montessori certification in the Philippines. She worked in Montessori classrooms in both the Philippines and California and taught and worked in administration for a Montessori school here in Manhattan for twelve years before coming to Park West. After completing her Master’s degree in Special Education, she taught Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education at ABC Cassidy’s Place.
Lucinda began her work at Park West Montessori as a substitute teacher, and joined our staff full-time as a teacher in 2005. Additionally, she has three years of teaching experience from preschools in England, where she obtained her Montessori International Diploma in 1998. Lucinda teaches the ever-popular cooking class in our After-School Enrichment program. Lucinda also serves as the Early Childhood After-School Coordinator.
Cherrel has worked in all of our programs at Park West since 1999. She is originally from England and has two children who are alumni of Park West. Cherrel is in the process of completing her degree at Teachers College.
Magenta Room
Alicia joined Park West in 2008. She received her BA in Music and MA in Education from Goucher College. Alicia earned her AMS Early Childhood Certification from the Center for Montessori Studies in Maryland. Before coming to Park West, she taught for 6 years at a Montessori school in Maryland.
Jolie came to Park West Montessori in 2000. She has worked with young children since 1997, including a year with special needs children. In 2001, she completed her Infant/Toddler Montessori training at The Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York (CMTE/NY) and has received her New York State Initial Certification. Jolie graduated summa cum laude with her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from City College and is currently pursuing her graduate degree as a Literacy Specialist at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is also the proud mother of a Park West Montessori graduate.
Amanda joined Park West in 2007. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Family Studies and Human Development and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Special Education in Early Childhood. Before coming to Park West, Amanda worked in preschools in Arizona and New Jersey.
Administrative Team
Jessica, education director, began working at Park West Montessori School in 2001. Prior to joining the Administrative team as education director, Jessica taught for six years in an early childhood classroom at Park West. She earned her undergraduate degree from Marymount Manhattan College and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. Jessica holds her permanent NYS certification (birth- 6 years) and the AMS early childhood certification. She completed the Course for School Management through CMTE/NY. Prior to her career in education Jessica danced professionally for the New York Theatre Ballet. She is the proud mother of her daughter, Charlotte, born in March of 2007.
Judith Kineke has been Park West Montessori’s administrative coordinator since 2002. She feels privileged to be part of Park West Montessori’s community of lifelong learners and enjoys working with the families and staff. Before Park West Montessori, Judith worked in Finance. She received a BA in Music from Oberlin College and has sung with various choral groups throughout the city. She is also the caretaker of the school’s mascot, “Kiri the Bunny”.
Shelly McGuire, admissions director, joined Park West Montessori in June, 2004. Shelly is entirely committed to Montessori education: she is Montessori alumna, having attended a Montessori preschool in Los Angeles. Prior to coming to Park West Montessori, Shelly was the admissions director and business manager of Lamplighter Montessori School in Memphis, Tennessee.
Kiri the Bunny is originally from upstate New York. She was adopted because of her superior skills in diplomacy and linguistics. Her previous experience in a family of 28 has given her invaluable insights into classroom psychology. Kiri is a vegetarian and team player. She works in Admissions and enjoys being held by new recruits.