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 a 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.

mallen@jwpschools.org

Emily enjoys teaching students using hands-on methods that nurture creativity in the classroom. She is passionate about literacy and incorporating her favorite authors into the curriculum. In her free time, Emily loves reading psychological thrillers, baking, and spending time outside.

earturi@jwpschools.org

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.

kberube@jwpschools.org

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 books for her students to read, going sailing at Crescent Beach, hiking with her dog Bailey, and gardening.

abrooks@jwpschools.org

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.

acorbett@jwpschools.org

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.

ccostello@jwpschools.org

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.

pcurley@jwpschools.org

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.

fding@jwpschools.org

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.

eferrera@jwpschools.org

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.

mfico@jwpschools.org

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.

jhardy@jwpschools.org

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.

mhildreth@jwpschools.org

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.

lhillberg@jwpschools.org

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.

djayasundara@jwpschools.org

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!

ykang@jwpschools.org

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.

skim@jwpschools.org

ymalik@jwpschools.org

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.

kmann@jwpschools.org

Karen LOVE’s teaching kindergarten!  She is passionate about helping students become lifelong learners.  When Karen is not in the classroom, she enjoys meeting picture book authors and illustrators. She has an extensive library of children’s literature.  One of her favorite authors and illustrators is Tomie dePaola.

Rosalind McGrail, an accomplished artist, and educator have 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.

rmcgraila@jwpschools.org

lmcglone@jwpschools.org

Nicola’s favorite thing about education is that every day 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.

nmelisi@jwpschools.org

Adrianna loves working with students to grow their understanding and have their “lightbulb moment.” She believes her class is a family and her room a second home for her students to come and embrace new opportunities. When she is not teaching, Adrianna spends her summers camping with her family, working with kids in various summer programs, and reading anything she can get her hands on!

aquintiliani@jwpschools.org

Ms. Ruggie grew up in Ashland, MA, and started her teaching career in Arlington. This past year she spent time teaching 4th grade in Warsaw, Poland, at a trilingual school and was able to travel a lot before returning stateside! Second grade is her favorite grade, so she is very excited to be back. Outside of school, Ms. Ruggie loves to spend time with friends and family at the beach in the summer and on the ski slopes in winter! Her favorite things to do above all are to travel, read, and try new foods.

aruggie@jwpschools.org

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 Schools, 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.

sselvarajah@jwpschools.org

Dorothy Simone is an oil painter and mixed media artist.

She teaches Adult Painting and Drawing at the Plymouth Art Center and Elementary Art at Jackson School.

Simone has taught at the Danforth Museum, Fuller Craft Museum and South Shore Art Center she currently teaches at the Plymouth Art Center and Private Classes.

“Over the years I have watched students grow artistically and become good painters and artists.  Many who said that they were “only beginners”.  Being a partner in that is an intimate experience beyond words.

Making Art is certainly soulful.  The ‘relaxing feeling’ occurs after you work so hard and then suddenly your expression blooms like a flower.  But like a flower garden, it must constantly be cultivated.”  It is not always easy but certainly worth the loving hours of tending your craft.

Focusing on creating is living in the now and that is joy”

dsimone@jwpschools.org

Elena teaches JWP students music, focusing on music literacy, and building the skills for music independence. She is a classically trained opera singer and also plays piano, ukulele, and other musical instruments. She loves theatre, art, and houseplants. In her free time, Elena spends time with her adorable French bulldog named Bongo.

esnow@jwpschools.org

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.

esullivan@jwpchools.org

As a teacher, Ms. Sun loves to see her students grow both academically and socially. She loves sharing Chinese Cultures with others and learning all kinds of languages! Besides teaching, Ms. Sun enjoys traveling, movies, and spending time with family, friends, and her cat.

rsun@jwpschools.org

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.

jugras@jwpschools.org

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.

avegas@jwpschools.org

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.

dwaarich@jwpschools.org

ewalsh@jwpschools.org

Katie Walter-Jeffery is a second-grade teacher at Jackson. She has previously taught in Elementary Ed. Connecticut, China, Australia, and South Korea. She moved back to Boston last year to start her Masters of Reading and Literacy at Boston College. Katie currently holds a double Bachelors in Elementary Education and History. She is very excited to work at Jackson and build relationships with her students. Her teaching philosophies focus on student-centered approach and discovery-based learning. While not at school, Katie enjoys running, baking and riding her bike along the Charles.

kwalter@jwpschools.org