Faculty and Staff

The SMS teaching faculty is comprised of dedicated professionals who model a strong work ethic and collaboration while delivering a challenging curriculum to our students. All SMS Lead Teachers hold Montessori credentials, which include a rigorous training program and a supervised year-long internship in addition to their academic degree. Our co-curricular program includes art, technology (STEAM), music, gardening, French, and Latin.

All staff members bring their individual styles and experiences to create a respectful, inclusive environment in which every child can thrive.

Auburn Campus

Children’s House

Kathy Falcucci

Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1997

Enjoys spending time at North Beach, NH
Devoted mom and grandmother
Enjoys children reading to her
BA in Business, Newbury Junior College

Shloka Shroff

Children’s House Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2019

Enjoys spending time with family
Gardener
Enjoys traveling
BA in Accounting and Early Childhood Education, Mumbai, India
AMS Certified, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Worcester Campus

Children’s House

Debbie Shupe

Children’s House Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2004

Avid equestrian
Outdoor enthusiast
Loves to travel
BA in Early Education, SUNY-Potsdam
MS in Deaf Education, SUNY-Geneseo
AMS Certified, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Wanda Edtl

Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1981

Enjoys travel and camping
Loves cooking and wine tasting
Gardener

Shrewsbury Campus

Children’s House

Sharon Claxton

Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2019

New England Montessori Teacher Education Centre Intern, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Kathleen Finn

Children’s House Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2013

Yoga enthusiast
Passionate about family
Vegan cook
AMS Certified, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)
EEC Certified, Director I

Rachel Govoni

Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2018

Country music fan
Loves boating and beaching on Cape Cod
Bracelet maker and crafter
BA in Early Care Education, Curry College
EEC Certified, Director I & II

Jeannie Korona-Treveloni

Children’s House Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2012

Skydiver
Boater
Animal lover
BA in Psychology, Framingham State College
AMS Certified, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Christine Manzi

Children’s House Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2012

Parent of two Montessori children
Appreciates good pizza
Enjoys running and sandpit volleyball
BA in Finance, Nichols College
AMS Certified, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Brenda Alfreds

Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2000

Has a flare for interior design
Summers at Old Orchard Beach, ME
Loves to sing

Joyce Adams

Substitute
Time at SMS: Since 1994

Dog lover
Can often be found in ME and NH
Loves nature and being outside

Lower Elementary

Christine Abysalh

Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1999

Animal lover
Culinary enthusiast
Enjoys the outdoors
Post Graduate in Early Childhood Education, Worcester Vocational Tech

Krista Maynard

Lower Elementary Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2011

Mom of a Bahamian Potcake Rescue Dog
Boston sports fanatic
Enjoys the sunshine and outdoors
BA in Psychology and Business Administration, Salve Regina University
AMS Certified, Elementary I (ages 6-9)

Donna Nirenberg

Lower Elementary Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1998

Avid runner
Spends leisure time reading mystery books
Enjoys spending time at Cape Cod with family
BA in Elementary Education, Framingham State College
AMS Certified, Elementary I (ages 6-9)

Susan Sabacinski

Lower Elementary Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1989

Animal lover
Enthusiastic gardener, knitter, and historical fiction books reader
Avid Red Sox fan
BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Art, Worcester State University
AMS Certified, Elementary I (ages 6-9)

Upper Elementary

Brodie Kramer

Upper Elementary Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2012

Lifelong passion for nature
Loves running, backpacking and fishing
Enjoys cooking and playing ukulele
BS in Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
AMS Certified, Elementary II (ages 9-12)

Beth McGillicuddy

Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2006

Loves the Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester
Enjoys reading thriller books
Patriots and Red Sox fan
BA in Foreign Affairs, Assumption College

Judith Regan

Upper Elementary Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1998

Devoted grandmom of four
Enjoys baking and cooking
Loves Martha’s Vineyard vacations
BA in Economics, Regis College
London Montessori Center Cetificate (ages 0-6), AMS certified, Elementary I-II (ages 6-12)

Casey Savoie

Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2019

BS Psychology, Worcester State University

Co-curricular

Kristin Combs

Gardening and Sustainability, Art Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2011

Knitter
Gardener
Hiker
BA in Religious studies and minor in Studio Art, Connecticut College
Currently Training, AMS, Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6)

Marla Ehler

Content Support Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2011

Ocean lover
Jewelry designer
Gardener
BA in Philosophy, University of Massachusetts
BFA in Photography, Tufts University and The Museum of Fine Arts

Cindy Erle

Librarian
Time at SMS: Since 2018

Book lover
Weaver and crafter
Passionate about family
BA, Northeastern University
M.Ed 1-6, Anna Maria College
M.Ed Library, Cambridge College

Mark Kobel

Technology Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2019

BS Industrial Arts Education, Fitchburg State College
M.Ed.Technology Education, Fitchburg State University

Sarah Okerlund

Music Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 2014

Baker extraordinaire
Avid knitter
Lifetime church choir member
BA and MS in Music Education, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music

Phyllis Whitten

French and Latin Teacher
Time at SMS: Since 1986

Grew up in France
Loves to cook
Learned piano by ear and songs by heart
BA in French and Elementary Education, Tufts University
M.Ed, Lesley University

Shrewsbury Campus After School

Cynthia Miller

Children’s House After School Staff
Time at SMS: Since 2016

Car enthusiast
Loves to cook all types of food
Loves 70’s music

Administration and Staff

Elizabeth Leandres

Director of Admissions
Time at SMS: Since 1991

Singer
Beach lover
Passionate about sharing the Montessori method
BA in Elementary Education and Music and a minor in Psychology, Assumption College
AMS Certified, Elementary I (ages 6-9)