The heart of Litchfield Montessori School is our nurturing, well-trained, and experienced faculty.  A certified Montessori Teacher and Assistant Teacher lead each classroom, providing continuity throughout the three-year cycle. Our teachers know and honor each child’s individual potential and work to create an environment that inspires children to develop inner discipline, self assurance, and a love of learning.  This talented faculty of LMS, averaging 16 years of teaching experience, and well known in the profession, frequently serve as trainers and models at educational seminars and for students from local colleges and universities.   Their first love, however, is our children at LMS, whom they creatively and sensitively nurture and support.

Administrative Faculty
Head of School
Paul Horovitz
JD - Boston University, Boston, MA
BA - Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
phorovitz@litchfieldmontessori.org

Assistant Head of School
Susan Touponse
BA - English/Sociology, University of Connecticut
Paralegal Certificate, University of Connecticut
stouponse@litchfieldmontessori.org
 
Business Manager
Lisa Wojcik
BS - Finance w/ minor Psychology, Nichols College, Dudley MA
businessmanager@litchfieldmontessori.org

Administrative Assistant and Physical Education Coordinator
Deb Martin   
NCAA National Rated Woman’s Lacrosse Umpire
NCAA Sectional Rated Woman’s Field Hockey Umpire
Assistants Elementary Level Training – CMTE/NY
info@litchfieldmontessori.org

Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Kara Fenn
BA-Spanish, University of Connecticut
communications@litchfieldmontessori.org


Teaching Faculty

Young People’s Community
Judy Maloney-Directress
Montessori Advanced Assistant's Training-Rockport, ME
Infant and Toddler Certification -North American Montessori Teacher's Association (NAMTA)
Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College
State of CT- Early Childhood Education
jmaloney@litchfieldmontessori.org

Rachel Burgess- Assisting Directress
B.A-Bard College
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine- University of Flordia

Children's House
Susan Shea - Directress
Moderatorship in Single Honor Music, Trinity College, Ireland
AMI Primary Certification, Dublin, Ireland
sshea@litchfieldmontessori.org

Gretchen Silverman - Directress
MA - Elementary Education, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
BA - History modified with Economics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Primary Certification, Northeast Montessori Institute, Rockport, ME
gsilverman@litchfieldmontessori.org

Judy Conroy - Assisting Directress
BA - General Studies, University of Connecticut
Montessori Assistant's training, CMTE, NY (AMS)

Rebecca Caruso-Assisting Directress
BA- Psychology, Connecticut College
MSW- Social Work, University of Connecticut
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Connecticut
Positive Discipline Certified Instructor


Elementary

Debby DeGuire - Lower Elementary Directress
M. Ed - AMS Montessori (6-9) Certification - Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
BA - Theatre Arts- University of Cincinnati, Ohio
Level I Certified Kingian NonviolenceTrainer
Secretary of the Board of The Connecticut Center for Nonviolence
ddeguire@litchfieldmontessori.org

Elaine Allessio - Lower Elementary Assisting Directress
M. Ed & AMS Montessori Certification (3-6) - Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
BA - History Education - Regis College, MA
Currently pursuing History Certificate, Oxford University


Sondra Strubhar - Upper Elementary Directress
BA - Political Science-minor-English/Journalism - University of Connecticut
CMTE/NY - AMS Montessori Certification (6-12)
Currently pursuing M.A  in General Liberal Studies, Wesleyan University
sstrubhar@litchfieldmontessori.org

Kate Gnitzcavich- Upper Elementary Assistant
BMUS (Bachelor of Music), Manhattanville College, Concentrations in Music Education (K-12) and Piano

Caren Ross- Middle School Directress
M.A- International Affairs, regional focus in Latin America and Iberia (specialization in Journalism), Columbia University
NAMTA, Certficate for Adolescent Studies
BA- Psychology & Spanish, Tufts University
cross@litchfieldmontessori.org

Monika Geerling-Middle School Assisting Directress
M.Ed- Antioch New England, Keene, New Hapmpshire
BGS- Psychology & Fine Arts, University of Connecticut

Consultants

Deborah Helck - Independent Consultant, Language Specialist
M.ED - Speech & Language Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
BS - Speech & Language Pathology, University of Virginia

Jan Lyon - Educational Consultant
MA - Early Childhood Education-Emphasis Piagetian Developmental Psychology- Antioch College, MD
BA - Psychology - University of Maryland


Child Care Program Staff
Carie Thompson
BS- Research Psychology, Minor in Business Administration- Eastern Illinois University

Judy Olsen


Specialists

Art
Tina Zampaglione
Northwest Community College; Art

Music
Rob Brereton
BA - Music- Classical Guitar
Palm Beach Atlanta College, FL

Spanish
Liliana Kleid (Children’s House / Lower El/YPC)
BA - Communications - Universidad San Martin de Porres, Lima, Peru

Lauren Long ( Upper El) 
BA - Spanish, Lafayette College, PA
MA - Counseling, St. Joseph’s College, CT