Campuses
Central Park
Central Park Montessori has limited 5 day openings in our Toddler and Early Childhood programs for the 2019-2020 school year. Please call (212) 595-2000 or email enroll@twinparks.org to inquire for more information.
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
Central Park Montessori is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year, however, openings are limited:
Please call 212-595-2000 or 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. As a mother and current CPM parent herself, Dyna is excited to bring her warmth and passion for education to the Twin Parks community.
Yolanda joined Twin Parks in 2017 with many years of classroom experience. Previously, Yolanda worked at the Goddard Riverside Head Start program for 20 years as an assistant with various age groups. She also served as a teacher volunteer at the American Museum of Natural History where she facilitated science lessons with 5 year olds. Yolanda has a Child Development Associate certification and completed her teacher training at the Diller Quaile School of Music. Yolanda has completed several education courses from Bank Street College including “How Young Children Learn to Play” and “Art with Young Children”.
Deisy has been a part time teacher at Central Park Montessori since 2011, with most of her experience working with infants in the afternoons. Deisy is from the Dominican Republic. She has had many years experience with children and is always happy and energetic. She is very patient with children, caring and nurturing. Deisy loves to spend time with her grandchildren.
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. As a mother and current CPM parent herself, Dyna is excited to bring her warmth and passion for education to the Twin Parks community.
Yolanda joined Twin Parks in 2017 with many years of classroom experience. Previously, Yolanda worked at the Goddard Riverside Head Start program for 20 years as an assistant with various age groups. She also served as a teacher volunteer at the American Museum of Natural History where she facilitated science lessons with 5 year olds. Yolanda has a Child Development Associate certification and completed her teacher training at the Diller Quaile School of Music. Yolanda has completed several education courses from Bank Street College including “How Young Children Learn to Play” and “Art with Young Children”.
Deisy has been a part time teacher at Central Park Montessori since 2011, with most of her experience working with infants in the afternoons. Deisy is from the Dominican Republic. She has had many years experience with children and is always happy and energetic. She is very patient with children, caring and nurturing. Deisy loves to spend time with her grandchildren.
Toddler Teaching Teams
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 as her son enters his second year at CPM!
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. In 2019 Clariluz completed the coursework for her Bachelor’s in Childhood Education from City College. Clariluz is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys listening to music in her free time.
Maria joined Central Park Montessori in 2018. She has over 25 years of experience teaching children in various early childhood settings. Most recently she has been a toddler teacher for 5 years. She completed a Bachelor’s from New York University in 1987 and a Master’s from Hunter College in 1999, with both degrees in Early and Elementary Education. Twenty years ago, she was introduced to the Montessori Method of teaching when she was hired by a Montessori school in Brooklyn. It was here where she learned an approach to teaching that has inspired her ever since. She is very excited to be back in a Montessori School.
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!
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 join the Twin Parks parent community as her daughter joins the infant program!
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.
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 is pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Concordia College. 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.
Teresa joined the Central Park Montessori community in 2013. Teresa has 15 years of teaching experience, including working as a lead teacher at West Side Montessori School and teaching English to young children in Switzerland and Korea. She earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from NYU and is certified in Early Childhood Montessori, in addition to having her New York State license and TESOL Certification. Teresa is passionate about music and writing and has written many children’s songs and one children’s book. She enjoys playing the guitar and ukulele, especially with her students and her two sons.
Kelly joined the Central Park community in 2016. She has experience babysitting children from two months old to 12 years old. Kelly interned at the Preschool of America with 3 year olds and obtained an Early Childhood Certificate from Cooperative Technical Education. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s at LaGuardia Community College. Kelly is fluent in both English and Spanish and enjoys playing softball, dancing and spending time with her family.
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 17 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!
Roslyn joined the Central Park Montessori community in 2018. Roslyn graduated from Adelphi University and has completed her Child Development Associate degree. She has taught children ranging in age from infants through preschool age. Roslyn is eager to share her passion for art with the children of the Redbud classroom. She looks forward to creating an environment that is inspiring, safe, and adaptive to each individual child’s needs.
Fabiola joined Twin Parks as an Assistant Teacher in the fall of 2018, after substituting at our Park West and Central Park locations. She has worked with the Salvation Army tutoring children and volunteering her hours to help children and families in need. Fabiola has a three year old son and loves to teach him new things and watch him learn. She is very passionate about teaching and wishes to dedicate her time to other children; to do the same for them as she would for her own. In 2017, Fabiola completed her Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Hostos Community College, and plans on expanding her education further seeking a bachelor’s in early childhood education. Fabiola is excited to join the parent community this year, as her son begins at CPM. Fabiola is expecting her second child in September.
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 English and 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.
Matthew joined Park West in January of 2011 and Central Park Montessori in 2014. The son of two Montessori educators, Matthew has grown up surrounded by the philosophy. He attended a Montessori school for most of his education. Matthew has an Associate’s Degree and is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree. He has completed his classes in the CMTE Montessori Early Childhood Education program. Each day Matthew brings his positive energy, great sense of humor, and his love for working with children in the Montessori environment.
Ellen joined Twin Parks in 2008 and Central Park Montessori in 2011. She received her B.S. in Childhood Education/Special Education and her M.A. in Literacy Education at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education. She holds her Early Childhood Montessori Credential from CMTE. At home, Ellen enjoys spending quality time with her family. She is thrilled to be a part of the Twin Parks parent community with two children!
Matti (a Montessori child) 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. 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.
Miluska has been working with children for over 15 years, and joined the Central Park community in 2018. She is passionate about helping the children grow and learn and watching their progress. Miluska learned a lot about Early Childhood Education through her experience working in a Reggio-Emilia pre-school with infants, toddlers and Pre-K students. She enjoys traveling, dancing and spending time with friends and family. Milly was born in Peru and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is fascinated with the Montessori philosophy.
Yayoi returned to Twin Parks in 2014 after working at another Montessori school as an early childhood lead teacher for three years. Yayoi has her School Administration certification, AMS early childhood certification, New York State Professional certification and Master’s in bilingual and bicultural education. In addition to her experience teaching since 2000, Yayoi has served on an accreditation team for AMS, has presented at various educational conferences and has consulted for educational material companies. Yayoi also taught Math for a Montessori teacher education program. She is passionate about art and cooking and looks forward to sharing these skills with the Central Park community.
Vongai joined Central Park in 2017 and completed her Montessori Certification at West Side Montessori TEP Program for Early Childhood in 2018. Vongai has taught in both our toddler and early childhood environments. Vongai joins us with experience working at the United Nations World Food Program in South Africa, and has extensive experience as an HIV/AIDS Learning Coordinator. Vongai has a BA in Sociology from the University of Zimbabwe. Vongai truly enjoys working with children in a Montessori environment.
Stephanie is excited to join the Central Park Montessori community. She is an AMS Early Childhood certified teacher and worked at a Montessori school in Jersey City for four years. Stephanie has a B.A in English Literature from New Jersey City University. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Concordia College NY. A few of her hobbies include walking her dog, traveling, reading and spending time with friends and family.
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.
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.
Faith worked at our Riverside campus from 2015-18 both in Early Childhood and Toddler classrooms. She was also a teacher at Battery Park Montessori before joining Twin Parks Montessori School. She completed an extensive course in Montessori Methods and Philosophy in London in 2007, and she has a diploma in early childhood education in Nairobi, Kenya in 2009. Faith’s son, Hayden was a student at Central Park from 2014 until 2017, when he began Kindergarten at Trinity School.
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.
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.
Lucy joins Central Park Montessori this year, as she pursues her Early Childhood Montessori Certification through the West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. She recently moved to New York City from Columbus, Ohio. Lucy has been working with children since she was a high school student as a Sunday School teacher, teaching children aged 3 to middle school age. Before moving to New York, Lucy taught in a preschool serving children from ages 2 to 5. She decided to pursue a career in the field of Montessori because she was inspired by her mother, who received her Montessori credential and is currently teaching adults with disabilities in the Republic of Korea. Lucy holds her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in Early Childhood Education. In addition to English, Lucy can speak Korean and basic Spanish. In her spare time, Lucy loves to cook, bake, and read, and she enjoys playing instruments. She also has a barista certification.
Location
Central Park Montessori School is located at 1 West 91st Street at Central Park West.