Meet Our Staff

Laura Casey

Laura Casey

Director

Laura joined the staff in June of 2012 as the Director of the Windsor Discovery Center & Montessori School.  She came to the program with over 16 years experience working in the Early Childhood field as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and program manager.  Laura holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University.
Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.  Some of her hobbies include gardening and scrapbooking.
Holly Hastings

Holly Hastings

Lead Teacher

Holly is the lead Early Childhood Educator for one of the Montessori primary classes.  She holds an AMS Montessori certificate from the Montessori Teacher’s Institute.  Holly is also a counselor for the elementary summer program.  Holly received her bachelor’s degree from Wheelock College and has been working here since September of 1987.

Holly enjoys spending time with her two daughters.

Arlene Pearce

Arlene Pearce

Lead Teacher

Arlene joined our full time teaching staff in September 1999. She is a lead Early Childhood Educator in one of our Montessori primary classrooms and a teacher in our elementary after school program. Arlene holds AMS certification from the Montessori Teacher’s Institute. She is the Lead of our Primary Summer Program.

Ali loves the outdoors and spending time with children Lucas and Mackenzie and husband Joe.

Jessica Ribeiro

Jessica Ribeiro

Lead Teacher

Jessica joined our team in August 1996.  She is a teacher in one of the Montessori Primary classrooms and the Montessori after care program.  She has completed her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) at Asnuntuck Community College.

 

She just completed the Montessori Certification Program at the Northeast Montessori Institute at Gordon College.  During the summer months she is in charge of the Kindergarten – 1st grade summer program.

 

In Jessica’s spare time she enjoys spending time outside, hiking, going to the beach, and doing projects inside and outside of her home.

Eric Banasiewicz

Eric Banasiewicz

Lead Teacher

Eric is a 1993 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a BA in Art Education. He joined our staff in November 1993. He is the art teacher for Montessori kindergarten and the assistant in a Montessori classroom. Eric is also the coordinator of the before and after school elementary program and the 2nd to 4th grade summer  program.

 

God and church play a very big role in Eric’s life.  He enjoys participating in the growth process — children and plants. He enjoys doing projects, exercising, and most importantly spending time with his two daughters.

Lori Burnham

Lori Burnham

Assistant Teacher

Lori is an Assistant Teacher, splitting her time as an assistant in one of the Montessori classrooms and in the Montessori after care program.  Lori originally joined our staff in 1984 and has completed her CDA (Child Development Associate Credential).  Lori has over 24 years experience working with Infants and Toddlers, preschoolers and elementary age children.

 Lori enjoys music, sports, gardening and spending time with her boys and dog Gracie.