Campuses
Central Park
Located across the street from Central Park at West 91st Street, your children will have the opportunity to explore this wondrous flora and fauna and the surrounding playgrounds daily. Central Park Montessori School is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES), is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), the Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), and the Parents League. All of our lead teachers are Montessori certified and have extensive training in early childhood education.
Admissions
Please email enroll@twinparks.org to inquire about openings.
What Parents Think




Our Teachers
Infant Teaching Teams
Jillian came to Central Park Montessori in 2011 and has primarily worked in infant classrooms. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kings Borough Community College. Jillian has worked with young children since 1999 and previously worked at the YMCA of Greater New York with children ages 6 months to 5 years. Jillian obtained her Montessori Infant/Toddler Training at CMTE in New Rochelle in 2019. She enjoys exercising, visiting the beach, and spending time with her daughter – a Twin Parks Montessori student!
Berlande Dyna “Dyna” has been drawn to Montessori since learning about the philosophy while completing her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Dyna joined Central Park Montessori in 2014 with over 6 years experience working with infants and toddlers. She is currently completing her BA at CUNY. As a mother and current CPM parent herself, Dyna is excited to bring her warmth and passion for education to the Twin Parks community.
Margaret joined Twin Parks in 2020 as an experienced Montessori teacher, where she previously worked at Morningside Montessori in classrooms of all ages for over ten years. She received her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from West Side Montessori School in 2018. Margaret has a background in visual arts, and brings her creativity and passion for aesthetics in the classroom. Margaret enjoys spending time with her family and taking her dog for walks in the park.
Christina joins Central Park Montessori with 2 years of experience as an afternoon teacher at Rockefellar University. She worked with toddlers and preschoolers, and also has experience babysitting with a variety of ages. Christina is currently taking online classes at City College, as she works towards her BA in English. In her free time, Christina volunteers and coordinates events for women’s groups and teens.
Wendolyn is an AMS Infant-Toddler certified Montessori teacher and has worked at all three locations of the Twin Parks network, beginning in 2007. Wendolyn has also held a lead teacher position at Williamsburg Montessori School. She has an Associates Degree in Hospitality Management and is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Asworth College. In her free time, Wendolyn enjoys spin class.
Paola has been a part of the Twin Parks community since 2004. She has worked with children 3 months to five years old. She attended Lehman College for two years and holds her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society. She is also fluent in English and Spanish. Paola enjoys sharing her passion for music and art with the children, especially her children, Zoe, Chloe, and Lukas (Central Park graduates)!
Sevara is thrilled to join Central Park Montessori and comes with previous teaching experience. Sevara most recently worked at Tribeca KinderCare with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, in addition to teaching Chinese and Russian classes. Sevara has a Master’s in Oriental Philosophy and History from Tashkent State University and speaks English, Russian, Chinese and Uzbek. She enjoys reading, running, cooking, traveling and dancing, and of course, being with children!
Athea joined Twin Parks in 2020 after working at the Rockefeller University Child Care Center with young toddlers and preschoolers. Athea also has experience babysitting twin newborns, tutoring and working with children with special needs. She graduated from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and is working towards her BA with a Major in English at City College. Athea is thrilled to be a part of our Montessori community and looks forward to a rewarding school year.
Toddler Teaching Teams
Alessia, an experienced Montessori teacher, joined Twin Parks Montessori in 2015. She moved to New York from Italy, where she received her Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification from Opera Nazionale Montessori and her B.A. in Biology. Alessia also holds a Masters degree in biology. In Naples, Italy, Alessia taught young children for 6 years in the Montessori based bilingual school Sequoia scuola bilingue. Alessia is bilingual in English and Italian and has a passion for surfing, scuba diving and Montessori!
Daniela has been at Twin Parks since 2007 working with all of our age groups. She completed her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from the Center For Montessori Teacher Education in 2013. She has her B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College, and is currently enrolled in a Master’s program with a focus in Early Childhood Education. Daniela has a special place in her heart for infants and toddlers and enjoys working with our young students. She enjoys being a part of the Central Park parent community with her son at CPM!
Ruth brings many years of early childhood experience to Twin Parks and joined the Central Park faculty in 2016. Prior to this, Ruth taught at the Goddard Riverside Head Start for 17 years. Ruth obtained a license in Business Administration from the Dominican Republic, where she is originally from. After enrolling her children in an early childhood program, she realized teaching was her passion. Ruth has completed her Child Development Associate degree, teacher training at the Diller-Quaile School of Music and child development courses at Bank Street College. Ruth is thrilled to begin her Montessori Infant-Toddler training and student teaching this year!
Alma joined Central Park Montessori in 2011 but has been associated with Twin Parks as a parent since 2007. Alma has lived in Albania and Italy and is fluent in both Albanian and Italian. She received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and completed her Montessori Infant/Toddler Certification from CME in 2018. Alma completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Concordia College in 2020. Since 2015 Alma has been teaching the Cooking Enrichment class, and winning the appetites of many students! In her spare time, Alma enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her two sons.
Kimberly is an AMI certified Montessori teacher for children ages birth-3, and has served on AMS Accreditation teams. She has been working in Montessori Schools for 18 years, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Kimberly also holds New York State Permanent certification in Elementary Education grades birth-6th grade. She worked at the Riverside campus for 3 years, and joined the Central Park team in 2012! Kim is an avid traveler who has spent time in 6 out of 7 continents while performing in a symphony orchestra, and now travels leisurely during all our school breaks. Kimberly teaches Science enrichment for EC and enjoys making new discoveries, nurturing the children’s curiosity about the world around them, and of course getting messy!
Clariluz joined Central Park Montessori in 2016. Clariluz was previously a child care provider working with her aunt in a family child care program from 2010 to 2013. Clariluz completed her Bachelor’s in Childhood Education from City College and worked with first graders in a public school while student teaching. Clariluz is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys listening to music in her free time.
Early Childhood Teaching Teams
Catherine is a certified Montessori teacher for Early Childhood. She completed her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Chaminade University of Honolulu in December 2007, and in 2016 completed another Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Concordia College. She joined Twin Parks in December 2008 and has been teaching in Montessori schools since 2005. Catherine is in the process of obtaining her New York State teaching certification. In her free time Catherine enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening and cooking.
Aisha is a certified Montessori teacher who made the move to New York City from Montreal, Canada. She joined the Central Park Montessori community in 2018. Aisha speaks fluent French. She has a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from Bishops University located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Aisha’s passion for children began with many years working as a nanny as well as a tutor. In her free time, Aisha enjoys going to the movies, running outdoors, playing sports including tennis, squash, and basketball, discovering new cities, spending quality time with her friends and family, especially her 3 nieces and 1 nephew.
Makilsi (Maki) has been subbing at Twin Parks Montessori since the fall of 2016, and has stepped in to cover maternity leaves in years past. She began working full-time at CPM in 2020. She received her BA from Hunter College in 2011 in Media Studies and Studio Art. One of Maki’s previous commitments included her role as an after school group leader at Good Shepherd Services and she enjoyed working with her school age students. Maki has experience working in all of our classrooms at Central Park Montessori and has embraced the Montessori Philosophy with grace and ease.
Laura is a Certified Montessori Teacher for children ages 2 to 6 and has experience working in both Toddler and Early Childhood classrooms. When her own children went to a Montessori school she quickly fell in love with the philosophy and was soon on her way to become a certified teacher. Laura also has a Bachelor’s Degree from Plattsburgh University. She started working at the Riverside campus in 2008 and joined Central Park in 2013. Laura is an avid runner who has completed many marathons.
Matti obtained her Early Childhood Montessori Credential from the Center for Montessori Teachers Education Program, here in New York in 2011. Matti also has a Master’s degree in Education from St. Catherine’s University. In addition, Matti was a Montessori child herself. Outside the classroom Matti keeps busy exploring the city with her 2 sons and black Labrador! Matti and her family enjoy spending each summer on the shores of Lake Superior while home in Michigan.
Tiffany joined Central Park in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Mercy College. Tiffany is working towards her Masters at Mercy and will be certified to teach Pre-k through 2nd grade. She has been working with children for over 7 years. Tiffany enjoys exercising, discovering new places in the city, and spending time with her family. She is thrilled to be a part of Twin Parks parent community as her daughter continues at CPM!
Zongqin (Zun-chin) joined Central Park in 2011. She graduated from Beijing Normal University majoring in Early Childhood Education in 2000. Since then, she has been a teacher in China, Indiana, Texas and New York. She received her Early Childhood Montessori certification from Dallas Montessori Academy in 2011. Zongqin earned her Master’s in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Concordia College and she holds her New York State Certification in Early Childhood and Special Education. Zongqin has experience teaching art and movement activities in our Enrichment Program. In her free time, Zongqin enjoys traveling, gardening and spending time with her family.
Jolie joined Twin Parks in 2000. She graduated from City College where she earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education, and went on to earn her Masters in Literacy from Teachers College at Columbia University. Jolie is New York State Certified in Early Childhood Education and Literacy. She received her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from CMTE and has served on AMS and Middle States Accreditation teams. Jolie, the proud mother of a Twin Parks graduate, is looking forward to serving as the PTA Co-Treasurer for a 2nd year at her daughter’s Performing Arts HS. In her spare time, Jolie enjoys traveling and dining out with her family, and participating in philanthropic efforts.
Amelia joined the Central Park community in 2016. A Montessori student herself, Amelia has a deep understanding of the philosophy. She completed her B.S. in Hospitality Management from St. John’s University in 2015. At St. John’s, she served as the Student Programming Board Vice President and was a member of the College of Professional Studies Honor Society. Amelia taught at the Lamplighter Montessori School in Memphis, Tennessee. She has experience working in both toddler and early childhood classrooms in addition to the afterschool program. Amelia leads our Early Childhood Extended Day program and teaches the Art enrichment class. In her free time Amelia enjoys watching sports, spending time outdoors, reading, and hanging with her family.
Location
Central Park Montessori School is located at 1 West 91st Street at Central Park West.