After 30 years as an engineer and a Montessori parent, Marc left the high-tech world and became a Montessori Guide.  Since 2013, Marc has been an assistant teacher and has developed STEM education at Walnut Park,  implementing curriculum in electricity, climate change, construction, and more.  Marc’s avocations include spending time with family and friends, two labradoodles, skiing, dancing, boogie boarding, traveling, obstacle course racing, building, reading, and music.

Sister Kathy is driven by the excitement her students experience while they learn and discover new things. One of her favorite aspects of teaching is working with and learning from new teachers.

Alison strives to instill a thirst for knowledge in her students each and every day. When not  inspiring her fifth-grade students to “think outside of the box,” Alison enjoys discovering new literature and history.

Jane loves to see the smile on a child’s face when he or she discovers or learns something new. Aside from teaching, Jane enjoys reading, the great outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family.

Alexandra is devoted to fostering students’ “Aha” moments, those instances when minds light up and students become more passionate about their work. When Alexandra is not working with students, she spends her time diving into novels, going to the beach, and searching for new dinner recipes.

Carolann’s three adult children are all alumni of Walnut Park Montessori and Jackson. She is beginning her 18^th year at WPMS and feels so fortunate to be working in such a caring community with dedicated faculty and supportive families. Carolann is certified in MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children at Risk) and Musikgarten (early childhood music education). Her passions include music, nature, and yoga.

Sister Pauline is a Sister of St. Joseph of Boston (CSJ) and the Walnut Park Learning Specialist. She loves teaching the children reading and creative writing. She loves being able to open the door to her classroom and look out over the playground and watch the children laugh and have fun.

Fang Ding has been with JWP for three years. She appreciates how Montessori develops concentration and independence in children, and she enjoys serving as a helper/translator for Chinese families on campus. She loves JWP because of the lovely children, staff, and families here.

When she is not traveling and learning about new cultures, Elizabeth encourages her students to challenge the world they live in, teaching them to be creative and critical thinkers. Elizabeth is committed to having an impact on her student’s lives that inspires them to change the world.

Maureen joined Walnut Park in 2007. She enjoys the camaraderie, collaboration, and spirit of the JWP community. She believes Walnut Park is an amazing environment for children to begin their journey and develop a lifelong love for learning. Away from school, she loves to golf, bike, attend sporting events, and spend time with her family.

Julia grew up in Mexico City. After working for the United Nations and realizing the need for peace in the world, she decided to become a teacher. In 2003,  after witnessing the wonderful education that her children were receiving, she began teaching at Walnut Park Montessori. She loves the peace curriculum and the commitment of the whole school community to caring for our planet, animals, and human beings.

Meg has been familiar with Montessori philosophy and pedagogy for many years, as two of her own children attended Montessori school. She enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling. One highlight of her travels was riding a camel in the desert of Northern Africa.

What Lauren loves most about teaching is seeing how excited students are to come to class, learn new skills, and try new activities. As a physical education teacher, she is grateful for the opportunity to indulge her lifelong passions for sports and activity every day.

Dona was born and raised in Sri Lanka and speaks the native language, Sinhalese.  Her love of the Montessori philosophy led her to become a Montessorian. She has been teaching at Walnut Park for 15 years. She is passionate about working with young children and helping them reach their full potential.

Yoon Hee joined Walnut Park in 2010 after 25 years of teaching and directing early childhood programs in South Korea. She brings a wonderful spirit to the classroom and loves working with all the children, especially our Year One students. She lives in Weston with her daughter and husband. She also loves to Karaoke!

Diane admires the progress each student makes over the course of a year and loves that she can be apart of their progression. When she is not in class, Diane enjoys spending time with her family, friends, reading, music, and dancing.

Virginia grew up in New Jersey, where her first school experience was in a Children’s House Montessori classroom. As a Montessori child she can attest to the value and beauty of a Montessori education. In her adult life, she finds herself driven by the curiosity that was encouraged and nurtured in this special kind of environment.

Sunhee was born in South Korea and moved to America after she  married. She has been teaching at Walnut Park Montessori School since 2005 and loves being part of its community. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, gardening, taking walks, and spending time with her friends and family.

Joanne was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and immigrated to Boston with her family at the age of 13. An EEC certificated teacher, she previously worked at a Mandarin Immersion School in Brookline for four years. She is excited to work with the students in a well-organized Montessori environment.

Nick is an educator, musician, and performer with more than a decade of teaching experience. Nick has devoted himself to working with aspiring young musicians, helping them foster their creativity and passion for music. Since joining the Jackson Walnut Park faculty in 2015, he has served as general music teacher, chorus director, as well as coordinator for our artist-in-residence program.

With 27 years experience in Montessori, Kristin began working in Montessori environments in high school, as a substitute in her my mother’s school. After receiving her Infant/Toddler certification, she began leading toddler classrooms as both a teacher and division/curriculum leader.

Rosalind McGrail, an accomplished artist and educator, has served as the Art Specialist at Walnut Park since 1996. She served as a classroom assistant from 2000-2008. Rosalind’s gift for inspiring students and connecting art with classroom learning enriches children’s understanding of the vital human purpose of art. Rosalind strives to incorporate cultural and historical perspectives into the art curriculum, while engaging students in hands-on experiences that give them a sense of accomplishment and achievement.

Vicki enjoys gardening and believes that teaching is very similar: “Teaching children is like planting seeds in the ground. You water and care for them, make sure they stay healthy, and encourage them to grow in the best way possible. As they learn and grow, they become wonderful.”

Nicola’s favorite thing about education is that everyday is different. There is always something new to learn, and there are always opportunities for everyone to succeed. Nicola counts teaching creative writing among her passions as a teacher.

Sandra was born in the island of Sri Lanka, where she worked at the UN and UNICEF offices before arriving in Boston in 1988. Working in Montessori Sschools, and at WP (where she has been since 2000), is one of the best things that has happened in her life. Sandra is also an associate member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.

Dorothy is a representational, expressionist painter. In addition to teaching art at Jackson, she has taught at Danforth Museum, South Shore Art Center, and Fuller Craft Museum. In her work as an elementary art teacher, she seeks to guide students in developing their own styles, while also learning the basics.

When a child exhibits a spark of curiosity or desire to learn, Eileen gets to share in it, and that brings her great joy. She loves to be in nature with her two sons, Christopher and Matthew, and enjoys hiking, biking, taking her dog, Sammi,  for walks in the woods, and reading a good book in her backyard.

What Kristina enjoys most about teaching is seeing how each of her students grows academically and socially. Kristina is passionate about teaching and making a difference in each of her student’s lives.

Jaklin loves the Montessori approach that gives children the freedom to express themselves in practical activities and develop as a whole person in physical, emotional and social aspects. Jaklin enjoys learning about different cultures and traditions. She can speak Turkish, French, Arabic, and Italian, and she recently received her MACAR (Montessori Applied to Children At Risk) certification.

Andreina loves her students’ energy and curiosity. She enjoys facilitating exciting learning activities, making personal connections, and watching children grow as individuals year after year. Andreina also loves spending time with her family, outdoor adventures, and traveling with her husband and five children.

Derek loves working with students and watching them grow as learners. He takes great satisfaction in developing lessons that make his students think and explore the world around them. Passionate about learning, not just in the classroom, but also in his personal life, Derek enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen, reading a variety of books, and exploring different types of technology.