LEELA PAHL – HEAD OF SCHOOL
Leela joined Cornerstone in 2021 as our third Head of School. She has been involved in Montessori education since 2008 and was previously the Assistant Head of School at the Montessori School of Huntsville in Alabama before returning home to New England. Leela holds a Masters of Education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody School of Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Policy with an International concentration from Boston University, and is trained in Orton-Gillingham, a multi-sensory approach to reading and handwriting instruction. In addition to her work in early childhood and outdoor and experiential education settings, Leela was a wildlife scientist and researcher specializing in ornithology. Leela is passionate about whole child education and social emotional learning and how Montessori education is well positioned to meet these needs. Leela finds purpose in cultivating relationships as part of the prepared, school-wide Montessori environment to support children, teachers, and families on our journey together.
LAURIE DURKIN – ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Laurie joined the faculty of Cornerstone in 2017 as a substitute teacher in Toddler, Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms. Before joining Cornerstone she has enjoyed working with children in varied settings. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College in French and International Studies and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She currently works in the front office as an Administrative Assistant. When she is not at Cornerstone she enjoys time with her family and walking her dog.
ROB KEYS – JUNIOR CLASS GUIDE & ADMISSIONS
Rob has been involved in Montessori Education for nearly 30 years as a teacher, administrator, consultant, teacher-educator, and presenter. The author of “Follow the Child – The Basics, the Misconceptions, and Underlying Lessons of a Montessori Education”, he has presented at AMS National and Regional conferences, written for Montessori Life, and has served on MACTE and AISNE evaluation teams. Rob has been a teacher-trainer with Seacoast Center since it’s inception in 1992 and founded Beyond The Mountain, a non-profit organization providing material and training in Haiti. He has trained teachers at public and private schools in the United States, as well as South Korea and Indonesia.
SUSAN DUFFY – FINANCIAL COORDINATOR
Susan received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a minor in Business at the University of New Hampshire. She was a scientific programmer at MIT in Lincoln Laboratory for five years before moving to Yugoslavia where she as a professional ballerina at the Belgrade National Theatre. When she returned to New Hampshire she directed and managed the Ballet Theatre Workshop for ten years. Susan also contributes to our music and drama programs and afternoon enrichment classes on a regular basis.
CAROL BYE-MACLEOD – CHILDREN’S HOUSE
Carol joined the Cornerstone community as a co-educator in Children’s House and as a morning classroom substitute teacher in August of 2022. She has been involved with Montessori education since 1981. During that time, Carol was trained and has experience leading classrooms of children in the Montessori method of education at the infant/toddler, preschool/kindergarten, and lower elementary levels in a variety of settings including Maine, Massachusetts, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Washington, and now in New Hampshire. Carol loves music, poetry, and art. She enjoys nature, walking, bicycling, kayaking, reading and writing. Carol currently lives on Plum Island in Massachusetts with her husband and her dog, a Golden Retriever/King Charles Cavalier Spaniel mix named Carmie.
TARA JUNKIN – CHILDREN'S HOUSE
Tara joined the faculty of Cornerstone in the Fall of 2017. Tara is currently completing her AMS Infant/Toddler credential at Northeast Montessori Institute. She has received her Masters in Education with a certification to teach K-12 Art Education, as well as a bachelor's degree in Studio Arts with a concentration in Ceramics from the University of New Hampshire. Prior to her new role at Cornerstone, she was an art teacher in the private school system, in the lakes region of New Hampshire.
MELA STEWART – CHILDREN'S HOUSE
Mela is joining the faculty of Cornerstone this fall in Children’s House. She has been working in Kindergarten in Concord, NH for many years. During Covid Mela taught a POD of six Elementary students at her home. Mela recently wrote a children’s book “The Mask Makes My Breath Hot”.She and her husband, Jay and their Goldendoodle Lulu recently moved to Portsmouth. She enjoys skiing, biking and traveling. She is an Ambassador at Cannon Mountain in the winter. Mela attended the Westover School and Lake Forest College.
KALLIE POULIN – CHILDREN'S HOUSE
Kallie is a new member to the Cornerstone Faculty joining us this year. Kallie is a recent graduate of University of New Hampshire, where she obtained her Bachelors degree in Social Work, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She is currently studying to gain her Masters in Social Work this coming school year. In 2018, Kallie first began her experience working with children at an after school program in Rhode Island. Since, she has grown to gain experience in various settings, such as Charter schools, daycares, and family mental health clinics where she has worked teaching children and supporting them in their growth.
LEE ANNE ROBERTSON – TODDLER PROGRAM GUIDE
Before retiring from her position as Head of School, Lee Anne worked at Cornerstone for many years as Financial Coordinator, Music teacher, and Lower Elementary Guide. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Writing and Literature from Norwich University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, with a concentration in Jungian Studies. She is certified by the American Montessori Society as a Lower Elementary guide and as an Infant and Toddler guide. She is very pleased to be able to continue her work at Cornerstone in the toddler classroom. Lee Anne enjoys her cabin in the White Mountains, reading, yoga, music, and finding joy in the small miracles of everyday life.
ALLY LEON – TODDLER PROGRAM GUIDE
Ally’s journey with Montessori began at Harborlight Montessori School in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she attended from preschool until middle school. As an undergraduate, she studied and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Salem State University. Ally returned to the Harborlight community as a parent and afternoon toddler teacher in 2018. In 2019, she joined the infant room as a Montessori Intern. She studied and trained with the Montessori Institute New England and received her AMS Infant and Toddler Credential in 2020. Since completing her credential, she has been enjoying her time in the classroom as a co-lead guide to toddlers. Ally and her family have recently relocated to the Seacoast area of New Hampshire. She is very happy to be joining the Cornerstone community in September as a toddler guide.
JULIA COLEMAN – PRIMARY ONE GUIDE
Julia has been associated with Cornerstone since 1997 serving as Parent Committee Chair and President of the Board of Directors. She joined the faculty of Cornerstone in 2009 in Children’s House, and has previously facilitated physical education for the Primary classes. Julia received her Early Childhood Credential from Northeast Montessori Institute in 2015.
JOELLE MOROPITO-HUOT – PRIMARY ONE GUIDE
Joelle comes to us with over 20 years of Montessori experience. She has held many roles during her time in Montessori, ranging from assistant teacher to head of school. Joelle received her Montessori credentials from Northeast Montessori Institute and also holds her associates in Early Childhood Education. In 2023 she completed the Emerging Leaders Fellowship through the American Montessori Society. In May of 2023 Joelle was voted in as the President of the New Hampshire Montessori Association for a two year team and she welcomes the opportunity to support the Montessori Community.
KATE KIM – PRIMARY TWO GUIDE
Kate studied Geology at San Francisco State University and is both an AMI trained Assistants to Infancy guide (0-3) and an AMS trained Primary guide (3-6). She has studied at The Montessori Institute in Denver, CO and Northeast Montessori Institute in North Shore, MA. Kate also works as a teacher trainer for the Infant/Toddler training course at Northeast Montessori Institute. She has many years of experience teaching young children in Infant, Toddler, and Primary classrooms as well as educating parents on how to bring Montessori methods into their lives. Kate joined the Cornerstone faculty in 2016.
LYDIA BAGHDOYAN – PRIMARY TWO GUIDE
Lydia received her AMI Primary diploma for ages 2.5-6 from Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon, and her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Reed College. Lydia grew up in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and currently lives in Durham with her family, where she enjoys gardening, reading, taking art classes, and being a mom. Most recently she worked at Little Tree Education in Madbury, where she was a lead teacher for five years. She has also worked as an organic farming apprentice on a small farm in Maine. Lydia joined the Cornerstone faculty in 2021.
KIMBERLY RETTSTATT – PRIMARY THREE GUIDE
Kim joined the faculty at Cornerstone in 2016 as Co-Directress of Primary Three. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colgate University, and a Master of Education from the University of Saint Joseph. Kim received her AMS 3-6 credential from Northeast Montessori Institute. Prior to Cornerstone, Kim was an Early Intervention reading teacher for 17 years.
HOLLEY DASCHBACH – PRIMARY THREE GUIDE
Holley joined Cornerstone as a Primary Guide in 2023. She received her Montessori Primary certificate from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute and holds a M.Ed. from Lesley University and a B.A. from Middlebury College. Prior to Cornerstone, Holley was the lead primary teacher at Montessori of Exeter for 5 years. She has worked with children and students of all ages throughout her adult life as a Montessori guide, elementary teacher, tutor, and writing coach. When not in the classroom, Holley can be found knitting, reading, singing or tramping about in the woods, in search of birds, mushrooms, or lichen covered boulders. She lives in NH with her family.
LINDSEY DIONNE – LOWER ELEMENTARY ONE GUIDE
Lindsey joined Cornerstone in 2022. She worked at Hillview Montessori for the previous five years in the Upper and Lower Elementary programs. In addition to her background as a behavioral health professional and Scout program educator, Lindsey holds a B.A. in Art History from University of Missouri. She is currently finishing the Upper Elementary coursework for her Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori Certification from Seacoast Center Montessori Teacher Education Program.
ERIN FINN – LOWER ELEMENTARY ONE GUIDE
Erin joined Cornerstone in 2022. She worked at Hillview Montessori for the previous four years in the Upper Elementary program. Erin holds a B.A. in English from University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is currently taking her Montessori Lower Elementary training at the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative in Lexington, MA.
FLOR BOWEN – LOWER ELEMENTARY TWO GUIDE
Flor has been teaching at Cornerstone since 1988. She has been a Co-Directress in Lower Elementary Two since 2005. Flor has over twenty five years of Montessori experience including teaching at Cornerstone on the Primary Level for fourteen years and two years teaching Spanish at all levels. She completed her Elementary I training through the Seacoast Center for Education. Prior to teaching at Cornerstone she taught for eight years in New Orleans. Flor also spent one year in administration and one year as president of the Montessori Teacher Association. During the summer she is a faculty member of the Seacoast Center for Education.
SARAH CHASE – LOWER ELEMENTARY TWO GUIDE
Sarah has been a guide at Cornerstone since 2016. She holds a Bachelors of Arts from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and a Masters of Education from Boston University. Sarah received her Early Education (AMS 3-6) credential from Northeast Montessori Institute and her Lower Elementary (AMS 6-9) credential through the Seacoast Center for Education. Prior to Cornerstone, Sarah worked as a nationally certified sign language interpreter, specializing in educational interpreting, in the greater Boston and DC-metro areas for over a decade. Sarah and her family reside in Southern Maine.
DON BARBER – UPPER ELEMENTARY ONE GUIDE
Don has been teaching at Cornerstone since 1992. For most of those years Don has taught in Upper Elementary. He has also taught for 5 years in Lower Elementary and for two in the Junior class. For ten years Don was a faculty member at the Seacoast Center for Education, where he evaluated teachers preparing for the Montessori elementary certification. Since 2007 Don has been involved with the Christian Montessori Fellowship (CMF). He develops Bible based, elementary level lessons and materials and presents them at CMF national conferences. Through CMF Don consults with schools and trains elementary teachers. Don enjoys time at home, jogging, and woodworking. He and his wife, June, live in Newfields. Their children are both Cornerstone graduates - Laura, class of '02 and Alex, class of '04.
WAYNE ANDERSON – UPPER ELEMENTARY ONE GUIDE
Wayne joined the faculty at Cornerstone in 2016. He received a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Education and Philosophy from Plymouth State University in 1977. Wayne worked many years working as a general contractor in residential construction before becoming interested in the Montessori approach to education when he was preparing to enroll his daughter in preschool. Wayne received his Elementary I and II certifications from CMTE/NY and has been in Montessori education teaching at the Upper Elementary and Junior levels for nearly ten years, as well as holding the position of Director for eleven years.
SANDI KEYS – UPPER ELEMENTARY TWO GUIDE
Sandi returned to Cornerstone in 2016 after a few years away. She has been a Montessori teacher for over 16 years and has taught in Children’s House, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary. Through the Seacoast Center for Education, she is an instructor for assistants as well as a teacher trainer for the 6 to 9 Montessori training course. She has her Early Childhood Montessori Certification from Northeast Montessori Institute, and her Elementary I and II Certification from Seacoast Center for Education. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Endicott College, has designed Montessori materials for Alison’s Montessori, and was a sales manager for Azoka Company. She believes in team building and collaboration.
HOLLY FURLONE – UPPER ELEMENTARY TWO GUIDE
Holly joined the Cornerstone family in 2005-2007 as an Upper Elementary Co-Director. Holly returned in 2017 as a Learning Specialist and Primary Cursive Handwriting Coach. During that 10 year stretch and her 15+ year career in Montessori education, Holly has served as a classroom teacher, program developer, administrator, 1-1 paraprofessional, education consultant and also as a practicum site supervisor for Montessori educators pursuing their teaching credentials through the Seacoast Center for Education.
Holly holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education focus and, following the successful acquisition of her 6-9 and 9-12 Montessori teaching credentials, Holly went on to earn her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Montessori Theory, Philosophy & Practice from Plymouth State University. In 2022, she completed coursework in Using Structured Literacy in Montessori Classrooms to Support Students with Dyslexia and Reading Challenges. Holly completed the Orton-Gillingham Educator Course in 2022 to further support the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
She lives up in the White Mountains with her child, sharing a love of the outdoors, making music and experimenting in the kitchen.
KEVIN COWIESON – ELEMENTARY SUPPORT
Kevin has been a part of the Cornerstone community since 2008, as a parent, board member and teacher. He taught lower elementary for 9 years and now teaches at the upper elementary level. Prior to Cornerstone, Kevin worked for AstraZeneca, the Canadian federal government, and served in the Canadian Forces. In addition to his Montessori certification, he has a BA from McGill University and an MA from the Royal Military College of Canada. He lives on the Seacoast with his family.
CHRISTINE ROCKWOOD – JUNIOR CLASS GUIDE
Christine has been Co-Directress in the Junior Class since 2000. She has a degree in English Teaching from the University of New Hampshire and completed the Montessori Assistant’s Overview with Northeast Montessori Institute. Chris trained for the Elementary I level of Montessori with Seacoast Center at Cornerstone in 2002-2003. Prior to joining the faculty at Cornerstone, she worked in both the Dover and Manchester public school systems.
ABIGAIL ANDREOLI – JUNIOR CLASS GUIDE
Abigail received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2016. She then moved to New Hampshire where she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with her Doctorate in Physics in 2021. Abigail has had a lot of passion for teaching ever since she was a tutor at Edinboro. That passion grew at the University of New Hampshire as she was a teaching assistant and the observatory manager in which she worked in public outreach. After 2021 she was a 9th grade physics teacher. She has now joined the faculty of Cornerstone to be the math and science teacher.
ANNE SEEKINS – LEARNING SPECIALIST
Anne has been a member of the Cornerstone School faculty since 2008. Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. She has a Master’s in Education from Endicott College and her 3 – 6 year olds Montessori Certification from New England Montessori Institute. Prior coming to Cornerstone, Anne was a counselor and social worker. In 2020, she completed a graduate certificate program in Dyslexia Studies and Language-Based Learning Disabilities from Southern New Hampshire University and Landmark school. Anne completed the Orton-Gillingham Educator Course in 2022 to further support the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
PATTYANN ZOTZ – LEARNING SPECIALIST
Pattyanne joined the Cornerstone Community in 2023. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and worked in the retail industry for 15 years. She has a BA in education from Wheelock College, and a masters degree in education with a concentration in Montessori from Plymouth State University. She also has a Reading Specialist Certification from MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Pattyanne taught 4th grade in Weymouth and then found her passion in Montessori while visiting at Inly School in Scituate, Massachusetts. She taught Lower Elementary there for 13 years. After Inly School, she moved to Tobin Montessori Public School in Cambridge and taught Lower Elementary there for the past 10 years. She is currently an instructor for the Seacoast Montessori Education Center. Pattyanne fell in love with Cornerstone during her own training through Seacoast Montessori Education Center which was housed at Cornerstone at the time.
When at home, she takes care of her mini horse, 2 goats, 7 chickens, 2 cats and 1 dog. She also enjoys playing with her two grandchildren, gardening and hiking.
KELLY CRESITELLO-DITTMAR – MUSIC
Kelly has been the Music Director at Cornerstone since 2007. Prior to that, she taught piano privately for almost thirty years. She has also worked in the field of special needs, taught general music to home schooled students and directed two small choral groups in Newbury, MA and in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kelly plays with several bands including Swing Shift, Stop Time, and Effengees. She studies ukulele and has been involved with Southern NH Ukulele Group and Ukulele Fusion. She is certified in Level I and Level II Orff method of music instruction.
JENNY BERNITZ – ART
Jenny joined the Cornerstone faculty in 2018. Prior to joining the Cornerstone faculty, she earned a BFA from Endicott College. She then discovered Montessori education and began her teacher training. In 2013, She received her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Montessori Academy at Spring Valley in Federal Way, Washington. She spent several years co-teaching on the west coast before moving back to New England, where she has continued to teach.
GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ – SPANISH
Gabriela was born in Arica, Chile. She left Arica in the year 2000 and began a journey of knowledge and self-awareness. She studied theatre, dance, health coaching, prenatal yoga, which all led her to become a Doula. She also completed a postgraduate degree in music therapy, body awareness and Psychology. She has training teaching in project based learning, nature based learning and self directed learning.
Gabriela began her teaching journey with neighborhood children’s classes when she was 14 years old. From that time on, she has been involved in diverse forms of teaching: Spanish tutoring, integrative after school programs, child care, Montessori substitute teaching, as a Baha’í children’s class coordinator, and as a health coach. In 2015 she worked at Radicle Roots community schoolhouse for two school years, as Kinder and first grade teacher and as Spanish teacher. In 2017 she worked at Whole Life Learning center as the Learning Specialist for the lower elementary. She also taught Spanish and Theater from 1st grade to the 8th grade. In 2019 she worked at Escuela los Amiguitos, in an immersion Spanish program, as a Kinder and first grade Spanish teacher, with a nature based approach. In 2020/21 she worked as a private Spanish tutor for kids, teens and adults.