Staff Members
Meet Our Staff
Laura Casey
Director
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
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
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
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
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.