Campuses

Park West

Campuses

Park West

Park West Montessori is located just across the street from Central Park at 103rd Street and 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, as well as an affiliate school of Columbia University. All of our lead teachers are Montessori certified and have training in early childhood education.

Admissions

The Columbia University Affiliated Child Care Centers offer an optional early notification of their admissions decision to the applicant families who are current and prospective faculty, staff and students of Columbia University. If interested, parents should contact the Admissions Director (pwadmissions@twinparks.org) to learn more about early notification.

Park West Montessori School partners with the Department of Education’s PreK for All program and offers 20 places in our Early Childhood program. Placement in this program is determined by the Department of Education. For more information please visit their website here.

What Parents Think

We are so happy we are a Twin Parks Family, and are looking forward to another great year next year as we transition into the Orange Room.

Park West Montessori School Parent

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for hiring such fabulous, dedicated and caring teachers to take such amazing care of our little boy. He has grown so much because of his experience in Green Room A. We are so happy we are a Twin Parks Family, and are looking forward to another great year next year as we transition into the Orange Room.

Park West Montessori School Parent

We are impressed with the implementation of the Montessori method at Park West. The daily schedule allowed time for children to come together as a community for circle time, snacks and lunches while also allowing time for children to focus on self-directed and small group activities during work cycles and daily trips to the playgrounds in Central Park. The children’s interests guided the activities and projects that took place throughout the year.

Park West Montessori School Parent

One of the defining aspects of an excellent school is a teaching staff that interacts with the children and guides their learning each and every day. The experience, commitment, caring and compassion demonstrated by all of these teachers created a nurturing and positive environment where all the children in the Blue Room could develop and thrive and truly be themselves.

Park West Montessori School Parent

There was a tremendous sense of community fostered at Park West. Park West was a wonderfully positive, fulfilling and nurturing experience for our son. We offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the dedicated staff of Park West.

Park West Montessori School Parent

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Our Teachers

Infant Teaching Teams

Green A

Gabriela joined Park West Montessori in 2006 and has been working with young children since 1989. Gabriela worked for five years in another Montessori environment with children aged 18 months through 3 years. She is originally from Mexico and received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Universidad Nacionale Autonoma de Mexico and her Montessori Certification from CMTE/NY. Gabriela has also been a preschool through elementary Spanish teacher. Gabriela is a mother of twins, both Park West graduates.

Marielena has been working at Park West Montessori since 2016. She has worked in various childcare environments with young children, from infants to toddlers. Prior to that, she received her early childhood training and certification through courses at City College. She is from the Dominican Republic where she started her education. Marielena is now in the process of enthusiastically pursuing her goals as a lifelong learner and teacher at Park West Montessori School. She is a loving mother to her 3 year old son, Isaiah.

Kassandra is very excited to start her second year at Park West. She started working with our infants last year as a substitute teacher. Kassandra is from Brooklyn and is working on her Associate’s degree in Psychology at Borough of Manhattan Community College. She is a 3rd generation Park West teacher—her mother and grandmother both work at Park West!

Green B

Mariana has been with Park West since 2006, working with Early Childhood students and toddlers. She received her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification at CMTE/NY. She is originally from Romania where she worked with preschool children in traditional and summer camp programs. Mariana also worked with foreign students visiting Romania in the Exchange Experience Program.

Fatjona joined Park West in the winter of 2019 as a substitute teacher. She has five years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschool aged children. Fatjona earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education in her native Albania. She is very excited to start her first year as an infant teacher at Park West Montessori School.

Elizabeth joined Twin Parks in 2012 with three years of experience from the International Montessori School and ten years at the English Montessori School, both programs in Madrid, Spain. She worked in the toddler program at our sister school, Central Park Montessori, and joined the Park West faculty in 2017. Prior to joining Twin Parks, Elizabeth also worked in the NYC public schools. She has her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from City College. Elizabeth has also done postgraduate work in Developmental Psychology at La Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain, and in Education from the University of Sunderland, in England.

Toddler Teaching Teams

Antonia came to Park West Montessori in 2002 and previously worked with young children at New York River School. She completed her Montessori Infant/Toddler Certification at CMTE/NY and 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 three children and three grandchildren and has been a foster parent to many more.

Jessenia completed her Montessori Infant/Toddler Certification at CMTE/NY in 1996. She has been working in a Montessori Toddler program for more than 20 years. She is the mother of two girls, her eldest is 23 years old and her youngest is 18 years old. She is proud and passionate about her role as a Montessori teacher. This is her first year at Park West.

Malika is ecstatic to begin her second year as a teacher at Park West. She started her journey with Twin Parks as a substitute teacher at Central Park Montessori and took over for one of our own teachers on maternity leave last year. Malika has over 20 years of experience as a babysitter of infants and toddlers and recently became a mother to her son, Lennox. As a young child, she had the privilege to travel the world, including living in Japan for three years. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University. Malika comes from a family of educators and has always desired to work with infants and toddlers in a classroom setting. She practices yoga and enjoys going on weekend road trips with her husband Andrew.

Anany has been at Park West Montessori since 2000 and received her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification from CMTE/NY. She received her Child Development Associate Credential from Touro College. She has worked with theToddler community as an intern supervisor as well as a head teacher. Anany has one daughter who is a Park West graduate and enjoys spending time with her family.

January joined the Park West Montessori community in September 2015. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from St. Paul’s College of Manila in 2000 and has begun her Masters of Arts degree in Special Education. January is a ‘Montessori’ child and graduated from Southernside Montessori High School. January is very patient, giving and gentle, and loves working with the toddler community.

Yesenia joined Park West in 2007. She has an Associate Degree from Boricua College and is continuing her education in Early Childhood. She has many years of experience working with young children and is the proud mother of three! Her mother, Maria, worked at Park West for fifteen years. Yesenia enjoys music—especially jazz and Spanish music.

Genny joined Park West in 2007 and received her B.A. in Childhood Education from Boricua College as well as completed her Masters Degree in TESOL from Boricua College in June 2015. She received her AMS Infant/Toddler credential at the Center for Montessori Education/NY (CMTE). Genny 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. She is proud to be an educator.

Alyssa began at Park West Montessori in 2011. Having received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the College of Staten Island, she is also certified by the State of New York to teach in an Early Childhood environment (Birth- 2nd grade). She has completed her Masters Degree at the College of Staten Island. Alyssa came to Park West with six years of experience as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school. She enjoys camping and cooking in her spare time.

Claudette (Cookie) joined Park West in 2007. Affectionately known at Park West as “Cookie”, she has worked with infants and school age children throughout the Park West community as well as with our late day children. As the mother of three boys, and a grandmother of one, Cookie is quite busy outside of school. She enjoys sports, reading, and puzzles.

Eve has been at Park West Montessori since 2001 and has worked with infant, toddler, and pre-school children in the Park West community. She received her Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential through CMTE/NY. Eve continuesto work on her degree in Education and Social Work at Hunter College. She is a devoted mother of two boys.

Leah moved back to New Jersey from North Carolina in the fall of 2016 and joined the Park West community shortly after. She is a certified Montessori toddler teacher (CMTE/NC, 2009). She has 14 years of experience working in a Montessori toddler environment – ten years in North Carolina and three years in the Philippines. Leah earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines. She is mom to three adult children and enjoys visiting new places, taking pictures and reading.

Ariana has been with Park West Montessori since September 2013. Ariana has a degree in Psychology from Hunter College and a Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) from CUNY. She is presently working on her Montessori Masters Degree at Concordia College. Before joining the Green Room, Ariana had worked with infants through 5 year olds for over 5 years at the Bellevue Child Care Center. Ariana also works in our summer camp program and is gentle, caring and patient with the children. She is the proud mom of her son, Henry, and her daughter, Abigail.

Astrid is Park West’s Infant/Toddler Coordinator and has been at Park West since 1994. 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, Astrid earned a degree in Social Work. Astrid was also awarded the ‘2005 Golden Heart’ from Child Care Inc. at the Champions for Children Awards.

Mary is joining us from our sister school, Riverside Montessori. She is currently working towards her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification. Mary earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Fordham University in 2006 with a double major in History and Spanish. Afterwards, she become a TEFL/TESOL certified teacher and taught English to children, teens and adults in Spain.

Yolanda has been at Park West since 1994. 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/NY, is CDA trained and has been working with young children since 1987. She is the very proud mother of three sons, Ta-ron, Michael and David.

Early Childhood Teaching Teams

Mariel joined Park West in 2001. She earned her Montessori Early Childhood teaching credentials from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program, (WSMS- TEP). She obtained her BA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences from CCNY, her Associate of Sciences Degree in Early Childhood Education from BMCC, and her Childcare Certification from NYU. Mariel has a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature from City College. She is the Art Enrichment Teacher and frequently works as a field consultant for WSMS-TEP. Originally from Argentina, her pastimes include gardening, cooking, and painting.

Miles joined Park West Montessori School in early 2019. Prior to his starting with us, he worked at a Montessori program in Brooklyn. He is currently pursuing his degree in Early Childhood Education and Art Education at City University of New York. He looks forward to spending another year in the Red room, sharing his interests in art, dance and natural science with the children and teachers.

Ainsley is beginning her second year at Park West, after joining us from West Side Montessori School, where she completed her internship after receiving her Montessori training from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. Ainsley grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. Her family’s passion for travel led her to earn a degree in Art History at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Ainsley loves to read and goes to art exhibits throughout the city. She shares these experiences with the classroom by exposing children to diverse children’s books (she is a frequent library goer and a champion for public libraries!), engaging them with words and illustrations that can either mirror their own experiences or provide a window into a new world. Just like Maria Montessori, she is a firm believer in nurturing the child’s spirit and independence.

Ellen joined Park West Montessori in 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from State University of New York at Oneonta in Elementary Education with a concentration in General Science. Ellen is New York State Certified to teach children from Birth to 2nd grade. Ellen completed her AMS Early Childhood Certification at the Center for Montessori Education (CME) in June 2016. She is from Long Island and enjoys boating, gardening and singing. Alicia joined Park West Montessori in 2008. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Masters of Arts in Education from Goucher College in Maryland.

Joseph (Joe) 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 has finished his classroom training for his Montessori Certification from CMTE/NY. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, Joseph taught history for the New York City Public Schools. Joe has been our Movement/Sports enrichment teacher for many years.

Alicia joined Park West Montessori in 2008. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Masters of Arts in Education from Goucher College in Maryland. Alicia earned her AMS Early Childhood Certification from the Center for Montessori Studies in Maryland. Alicia is mother of three (twin boys and younger girl) who keep her busy and full of joy!

Natalie began at Park West early in February 2012. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rollins College and received her AMS Early Childhood Certification (2½-6yrs) from the Maitland Montessori School Teacher Education Program in Florida in 2010. She worked at the Lake Mary Montessori Academy in Florida as well as at the CA Montessori Children’s Center in Long Island. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Natalie enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura joined Twin Parks in 2015. This will be her first year at Park West. Laura began her Montessori journey at the Montessori School of Manhattan. In 2014 she received her BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with Honors. Laura completed the combined Concordia Master’s program and WSMS TEP Montessori certification in Early Childhood education. She has taught in both toddler and early childhood classrooms at Central Park Montessori. Laura is bilingual in Spanish and English and enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering and playing sports.

Anda embraced the Montessori philosophy in 2013 when she became a substitute teacher for us at Park West. She is thrilled to be working with children and looks forward to being part of our community full time. Originally from Romania, Anda earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication Sciences from the University of Bucharest. She is excited to witness the growth and development of Montessori students who become responsible and independent adults. She likes to share the ideas she’s gleaned from working in Montessori with her daughter, Andrea. Anda loves cooking, bicycling with her family, and enjoying nature with her daughter and husband.

Agnes joined us at Park West in September 2019. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from School of Visual Arts and Masters of Science in Education from Brooklyn College. Agnes loves to hike and explore State and National Parks with her family. She enjoys watching children grow and is fascinated by their learning. After putting her sons to bed she likes to complete her day by reading a book.

Gemma joined Park West in 2007. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and her Montessori Teacher Certificate from O.B. Montessori Center also in the Philippines. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the City College of New York and holds a New York State Teacher Certificate in Special Education. Gemma has taught and held other administrative positions in Montessori and Special Education for the last 25 years.

Cherrel has worked with the different age groupings in our programs at Park West Montessori 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. Cherrel is gentle and soft spoken and has a delightful sense of humor.

Gladys joined the Park West community in 2007. She has worked throughout the different classes in Park West as well as in our summer camp program. 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.

Location

Park West Montessori is located just across the street from Central Park at 103rd Street.