Staff

Dr. Montessori believed that teachers should focus on each child as a person, not on the daily lesson plan. Montessori teachers are taught to nurture and inspire the human potential, leading children to ask questions, think for themselves, explore, investigate, and discover.

Marci Martindale: Head of School

Welcome to The Children's Tree Montessori School. I founded this school over 15 years ago, out of my home, with the goal in mind to provide an alternative educationally based option for preschool age children. My dreams have come true with the expansion into our new facility and formation of an elementary program. After the birth of my daughter I discovered the Montessori method of teaching. I went back to school and became a certified teacher for the preschool and elementary aged students holding Montessori Teaching certificates for 3-12 yr olds. I enjoy a good book, a hot cup of tea, boating, shopping and spending time with my family.

Rachel Butler: Primary Teacher

Rachel discovered Montessori while doing her internship for her degree in Sociology at Ithaca College. As a result she worked for Elizabeth Anne Clune Montessori School in Ithaca, New York for four years, obtaining her Montessori Certification during that time. She relocated to Connecticut in 1999 to join her husband in Branford, and worked for the Montessori Community School of Brookfield until the birth of their first child. After five years at home with her two boys, Rachel joined the Children's Tree Staff in 2008. In her spare time Rachel enjoys running, cooking, and relaxing with her family in Short Beach.

Pam Gozzi: Primary Teacher

Pamela Gozzi started with The Children's Tree in 2005 as an assistant teacher. Pam is a busy wife and mother of two children who lives in Westbrook, CT. She currently runs a decorating company with her sister called Treasured Rooms. She also owned her own dance studio for several years that specialized in preschool and elementary aged children. After being introduced to the philosophy of Montessori learning she was thrilled to be able to work with the children at the Children's Tree. Pam has been training at CTMS each year and just finished the Advanced Assistants Training at North East.

Ashley Marsh: Primary/Elementary Teacher

Ashley graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 2008 with a BA in Child Development Majoring in Early Childhood and hold a CT state teaching certificate. From 2005-2008 Ashley worked in NH teaching and assisting in classrooms from Pre-k to 3rd grade. In 2010 Ashley attended the Advanced Assistant Training at North East. Ashley grew up in Chester, CT where she currently sits on the Board of Education. She graduated from Mercy High School, enjoys hiking, dog sledding, tea, and curling up with a good book.

Kathryn DeMarco: Elementary Teacher

Kathryn is very excited to be joining the Children's Tree Montessori community. Kathryn has been teaching in a Montessori setting for 5 years now. She received her Elementary certification from Seacoast Center for Education in New Hampshire, and she also received her Masters of Education from Lesley University writing a thesis on integrating balanced literacy into the Montessori classroom. Kathryn lives in Ledyard with her husband and three cats. She enjoys listening to music, knitting, and riding her bike.

Jodi Backes: Primary Teacher

Jodi Backes moved to Guilford from Il. with her husband and two children in 2009. She received superb mentoring in the Montessori Method from both the children and the staff of Village Green Montessori School in Libertyville, Illinois from 2007-2009. Jodi completed the Paraprofessional Teacher training at MECA-Seton Montessori Training Center in Barrington, Illinois, as well as Advanced Assistant training through Rising Stars, an affiliate of Northeast Montessori Institute. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her family and friends, photography, scrap booking, and reading.

Libby Kellert: Primary Teacher

Libby has a background in early childhood education that includes a Master’s Degree from Sarah Lawrence College in New York and over ten years experience as an early childhood teacher and private child care provider. She loves to both observe and facilitate the process of learning and discovery in each child as they interact with their environments. Libby lives in the beautiful woods of Lyme, CT with her 3 year-old daughter Aven. She enjoys nature hikes, books, making art and music, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Brooke Williams-Dailey: Primary Teacher

Brooke comes to CTMS with six years of Montessori Teaching experience. After graduating from Albertus Magnus where she majored in Psychology, Brooke discovered Montessori at Boulder Knoll in Cheshire, CT where she was introduced to the amazing philosophy by two exceptional mentors. The one room school house did not have room for Miss Dailey to grow and she set off to find a school where she could establish her own classroom. She found that at New England Montessori in Milford where Brooke started as a primary teacher and then directed their Toddler Program. Brooke is certified through Princeton Montessori Center in NJ and is currently seeking further certification through North East Montessori Center. When not busy preparing lessons, Brooke enjoys taking her dogs for hikes and kayaking.

Jennifer Wilson: Assistant/AM Greeter/Sub

As a CTMS mom, Jen has volunteered regularly at The Children’s Tree Montessori School. This inspired her to go back to become a Montessori Teacher while continuing to me the office manager for Music Together. During her course work, Jen worked as a Primary Assistant as well as an Administrative Assistant. She completed her Montessori certification through Montessori Teacher Institute in 2010 and remains a important part of our team. Jen enjoys music, reading, and spending time with her husband Abe, son Aden, and daughter Ivy.

Anastasia Lapore: Music Together

Anastasia is in her tenth year with Music Together and her 6th year with The Children’s Tree Montessori School. Her natural storytelling skills creatively enhance her classes. She is a lifelong musician and infuses her work with plenty of guitar playing. A pied piper with kids and adults, Ana creates a relaxed playful atmosphere for lots of family music making. Anastasia has a degree in Music history and has achieved Certification I for teaching mastery of Music Together. She has recently added improve comedy and acting to her resume.