Our nurturing, well-trained, and experienced teachers 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.
Susan Patrick
Young People's Community Guide
Susan has been in the Montessori world since 1987 where her love of learning was sparked in Children’s house. When she began her own journey as an educator in 2002, she was on the path to becoming a Primary Guide when she took on the role of assistant in the Young People’s Community. There, she quickly realized she had found where she was meant to be. Since then, she has dedicated her life toward guiding our youngest human beings and their families. Susan is an instrumental and vocal musician who has directed the youngest children’s choir with Chorus Angelicus, instructed private instrumental lessons for 26 years, and brings her love and knowledge of music into the classroom daily. Susan holds an AMI Assistance to Infancy certification from MTCNE, has a deeply rooted understanding of the Montessori philosophy, a vast wisdom of classroom management, and a profound respect and ability to connect with the youngest human beings.
Amanda Fortier
Young People's Community Assistant
Amanda Caron
YPC Aftercare Staff
Danielle Snydar
Children's House Guide
Danielle began her journey with Montessori as a child in a Children’s House classroom in Washington state. While in college at the University of Washington, Danielle rediscovered her love of Montessori philosophy and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. After moving to Connecticut, she spent three years in Danbury as an assistant and co-teacher at Hudson Country Montessori. During this time, Danielle completed her Montessori training. While not a native of Connecticut, Danielle spent many summers here visiting her grandparents and has a deep love of the area. When she is not in the classroom, you’ll often find Danielle reading, cross-stitching, gardening or spending time with her family (who all live in Connecticut now, too!)
Melissa Mennillo
Children’s House Assistant, Outdoor Education Specialist, and Aftercare Staff
Melissa holds a degree in Environmental Science & Biology. She found her niche in environmental outdoor education. Fostering a love and respect for the natural world in young children is a passion of hers. While Melissa raised her three children, she fed her need for creativity and love for plants by opening a flower shop in Thomaston.
Melissa has worked in education for 8 years, and she says receiving her Montessori Assistants Certification has been the most rewarding experience. Melissa’s son Michael attended LMS, and she is thankful for the opportunity to give back to this amazing community after all it has given to her son.
She enjoys entertaining, gardening, reading, spending time with family and friends, and going on long bike rides.
Heather Twyeffort
Lower Elementary Guide
Heather comes to Lower Elementary with over 16 years of teaching experience in both Montessori and Connecticut public schools. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut and completed her Lower Elementary Montessori training in 2019.
Heather is passionate about fostering independence, creativity, and a love of learning in her students. She especially appreciates the flexibility Montessori provides to incorporate art and creative exploration into the classroom.
Outside of school, Heather enjoys playing the violin and viola, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her husband, three children, and their pets.
Monika Geerling
Lower Elementary Assistant and Art Specialist
Monika has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She spent ten years on Nantucket as a teacher at the Nantucket Lighthouse School, and then received a Master’s Degree in Education from Antioch University New England. She returned to the Litchfield area in 2010 and worked as an assistant teacher at the Millstream Farm Middle School in New Hartford, before becoming an assistant in Children's House.
Monika is currently the art specialist for LMS, as well as the assistant teacher in Lower Elementary. Monika holds art programs for children of all ages where they create beautiful and purposeful pieces of artwork. Lastly, she adores her dog, Milo who may often be found in our Lower Elementary classroom.
Kate Gnitzcavich
Upper Elementary Guide
Kate graduated from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a concentration in piano. Working for two years at the Litchfield Public School system, she decided to broaden her scope of education and accepted a position at Litchfield Montessori School as an Upper Elementary Assistant. To support her love of learning and continue her Montessori journey, Kate went on to receive her elementary AMI Elementary 6-12 training and certification at the Montessori Training Center of New England in Hartford.
Kate grew up in Northfield and has many fond memories of Litchfield Montessori School from her childhood. In addition to teaching, Kate enjoys gardening, hiking, kayaking, and teaching piano.
Gina Hepp
Upper Elementary Assistant & Music Specialist
Gina has been thriving in the field of music education for the past 15 years. After earning her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University, she went on to direct a middle school orchestra. When she welcomed the birth of her first child, she was inspired to share her love of music with a community of growing families. She earned her Music Together teaching certificate, which has given her the joy of bonding with children and their families for the past 10 years.
As she watched her children grow, the Montessori principles of following the child, fostering curiosity, and instilling a lifelong love of learning resonated deeply with her and ultimately led her to Montessori. She went on to earn her AMI Montessori Orientation Certification in 2020 in hopes of deepening her understanding of the child’s mind. After two years of homeschooling, Gina and her family found their home away from home at LMS. Here, Gina marries her love of music with her passion for nurturing growing minds through her unique role as both a classroom educator and specialist.
Gina is a lover of the outdoors, cooking, yoga, singing, playing instruments, and going on adventures with her husband and three children.
Sam Cochrane
Physical Education Specialist
Sam is our Physical Education Specialist. He is a strong proponent and seeker of lifelong education, and brings with him his diverse background and experiences.
Sam has countless hobbies and interests: ice/roller hockey, cycling, and skiing are his favorite athletic endeavors, while Land and Property management and Human Development have become his largest everyday pursuits. Sam is a certified Bike Instructor, and brings excitement for his lifelong passion to LMS through seasonal bike clubs.
Gloria Vegliante
Spanish Specialist
Originally from Colombia, Gloria holds a Bachelor of Science degree from La Salle University. She began her career as an educator, teaching elementary and middle school science in Bogotá, Colombia. After moving to California, Gloria discovered Montessori education when looking for a pre-school for her children. After spending some years as a parent volunteer, Gloria completed her Elementary certification through the Montessori Teacher Education Center in San Francisco. For five years, she served as both an assistant in the elementary class and Spanish specialist at Golden Oak Montessori in Hayward, California.
After moving to Connecticut, she began working with primary aged children at Brown-Tufts Montessori. Gloria joined the LMS staff in 2016, and currently serves as our Spanish specialist and the aftercare coordinator for our Young People's Community.
Jay Potter
Outdoor Education Specialist
Jay Potter comes to us with many years of experience in youth development and outdoor education. He spent 26 years at Deer Lake Camp, where he instructed team-building, climbing, challenge course, and nature programs for students from elementary through college, as well as for corporate training groups. For nearly twenty summers at Camp Sequassen, Jay served in multiple leadership roles, including Challenge Course Director, Climbing Director, Adventure Program Director, and Program Director. Jay has trained and certified Ropes Course Directors across Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maine, and has been an instructor at several sessions of the BSA’s National Camp School.
Diane Hart
Head of School
Diane Hart has served as Head of School at Litchfield Montessori School since 2022. A long-time educator and school leader, she brings a broad classroom background and deep commitment to Montessori education to her work with children, staff, and families. Diane holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, with 16 years in that field, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Administration.
As a parent whose children spent a decade at Litchfield Montessori School, Diane is honored to support a community she knows and cares for deeply. She remains inspired by the school’s mission and by Maria Montessori’s vision of education that nurtures each child’s independence, curiosity, and sense of belonging.
Betsy Johnson
Assistant Head of School and Reading Specialist
Betsy has over 30 years of experience in education. She spent 26 years at Rumsey Hall where she taught third, fourth, and fifth grades and was the assistant director of admissions for eight years. She graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Sociology and received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from the University of St. Joseph in Hartford. She has three sons ranging from high school to post-college age. When not at LMS, she enjoys time with her family, running, and baking.
Michelle Augustine
Operations
Michelle comes to Litchfield Montessori School with a BA in Psychology and more than 20 years of experience in business operations and management. Her interest in child development began after the birth of her daughter. She researched different educational philosophies in an effort to understand and meet the needs of her daughter’s rapidly developing mind. This is when she discovered Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason. Their emphasis on respect for the child and nurturing the development of the whole person resonated deeply with her.
As she explored a transition from business management into education, Michelle joined LMS as an office assistant and paraprofessional. Today, she brings her experience in business, psychology, and education to her role supporting the school’s mission and administrative operations.
In her free time, Michelle continues to explore human development and wellness practices, with a particular interest in stress management, regulation techniques, and herbalism, and how these approaches can support well-being for both adults and children.
Rachel McGinnis
Whole School Assistant
Rachel first became familiar with Montessori when she was looking for a preschool for her son Thomas. After enrolling him in the Young People’s Community (YPC) at LMS in 2005, and her daughter Marley two years later, Rachel attended several parent education meetings and positive discipline classes offered at the school. She has a bachelor’s degree from Bard College and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida.
