marci martindale
head of school
accreditations: AMS, AMI, NMI, CMTE, MACTE, Nation Network of Montessori Advocacy
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.
email: marci
Phone: (860) 388-3536
rachel butler
primary teacher
accreditations: AMS, NMI, CMTE, MACTE
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.
email: rachel
pam gozzi
primary teacher
accreditations: NMI, CMTE
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.
email: pam
ashley marsh
primary/elementary teacher
accreditations: AMS, NMI, MACTE
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.
email: ashley
jean anastasia
elementary teacher
accreditations: AMS, CMTE, MACTE
Ms. Anastasia received her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, as a classical guitar major. She attended the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York for her elementary AMS certification. She spent seventeen years as an administrator, founding the Wilkes Community Conservatory in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and then as coordinator of the main branch of Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, PA. After moving to Florida and wanting to provide a Montessori education for her own children, Ms. Anastasia completed her training and became an upper elementary teacher at Countryside Montessori Elementary Charter School. She has spent the last three years at Montessori World School in Orlando, Florida.
email: jean
jodi backes
primary/elementary teacher
accreditations: NMI, CMTE
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.
email: jodi
libby kellert
primary teacher
accreditation: NMI
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.
email: libby
brooke williams-dailey
primary teacher
accreditations: AMS, NMI, MACTE
Brooke came 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.
email: brooke
jennifer wilson
primary teacher
accreditations: AMS, NMI, MACTE
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.
email: jenw
anastasia lapore
music together
Anastasia is in her eleventh year with Music Together and her 7th 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.
email: ana
melissa cokas
fine art & creative movement
Melissa graduated from Roger Williams University with a BS in Environmental Engineering in 1998. She worked as an Environmental Engineer for the US Navy for 10 years as a civilian and in that time also attained her 200 hr yoga instructor certification. She is a co-owner of Bean & Leaf a coffee & tea house in New London, CT and also works as a freelance graphic and web designer and a performer. A life long artist, dancer and mover, she loves to share these passions with children. She recognizes the synchronistic relationship between teacher and child, where the openness of the child allows for a greater flow of information between both parties. Melissa currently lives in Chester, CT with her husband, Christiaan, and 3 children, Cobe, Kai & Naiomi, who all attend CTMS. She enjoys being creative, acroyoga, dance, hula hooping, singing, hiking, sun & star gazing and engaging fully in the present moment with the breath.
email: melissa
judy chappell
bookkeeper
Judy Chappell resides in Westbrook, CT with her husband Bruce. As Marci’s mother she has been the book keeper for The Children’s Tree since the beginning. Judy has a business degree with a focus on accounting. When she retired she decided to pursue a more peaceful career and became a licensed medical massage therapist. She currently owns and operates A Therapeutic Touch in Westbrook.
