Claire O'Neill

Claire O'Neill
Head of School

Born and raised in Providence, Claire’s experience with Montessori education began at a young age. She is the daughter of MCH’s founder, and attended MCH as a child. Her formal Montessori training began in 2003, when she started her teacher training for an AMS Early Childhood credential. She taught in our Primary classroom for several years, before moving into school administration, where she focused on parent communication, curriculum, admissions and outreach. After working as Assistant Head of School at a private Montessori school in Brooklyn for several years, Claire is excited to be part of MCH’s team once again. Claire holds an Ed. M. in Anthropology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.A. from St. Catherine University in Montessori Education and a B.F.A from RISD.

Claire is a lifelong learner, and passionate about MCH’s future and the school community.

Diaritssa Abreu

Diaritssa Abreu
Office Manager

Diaritssa comes to us with several years of experience working in HR, logistics and finance at Rhode Island companies. Diaritssa received her Associates in Arts from the Community College of Rhode Island and is currently working towards her Bachelors in Business Management. In her free time, Diaritssa enjoys spending time with her husband and son.  

Alice O'Neill

Alice O'Neill
Admissions Director

Alice received her AMS Administrator Credential from the Center of Montessori Education New York in 2021. She is responsible for MCH’s admissions, marketing and outreach. As daughter of MCH founder Mary Jane O’Neill, Providence native and MCH alum, Alice is committed to the school’s bright future. Alice has been a substitute teacher and Primary Classroom Assistant at MCH and also spent six years on the MCH Board of Directors. Previously Alice was an Adjunct Lecturer at the Community College of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island School of Design.  Alice received an M.F.A from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. from the University of Brighton, in the United Kingdom, and a B.F.A. from RISD.

Stacey Sheehan

Stacey Sheehan
Early Childhood/Primary Teacher & Curriculum Coordinator

Originally from Randolph, MA, Stacey was introduced to Montessori education in 2003 when her mother was an administrator at an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) school in Quincy, MA. It was there that Stacey completed her high school senior internship and went on to work as a summer assistant, substitute, and eventually a primary guide. She received her AMI Primary Diploma through Washington Montessori Institute, along with her Master’s of Education from Loyola University Maryland. She also holds a BA of Science in Social Work through Bridgewater State University. Stacey values the hands-on approach to learning and the whole child development of the Montessori philosophy. She observes in children how capable they are as they develop independence, self-esteem, and confidence. Stacey enjoys traveling internationally, yoga, Pilates, reading, and meditation.

Emma Birney

Emma Birney
Early Childhood/Primary Teacher

Emma received her AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential from Northeast Montessori Institute Teacher Education Program in 2023. Emma earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dean College in 2019, interning at the on-campus early child day care program. In 2021, she also received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science from The University of Rhode Island, where she interned in a first grade classroom. Emma was born in Kunming, China and at the age of five, was adopted and came to the US. Her love for children started as a babysitter for neighborhood children. As part of her career development in high school she interned in Kindergarten and first grade classrooms. Before joining MCH, Emma worked for The Goddard School with children between the ages of 18 months to 4 years old. As English was her second language, Emma faced challenges herself, she is dedicated to finding ways to help all children learn. In her spare time Emma loves dogs, traveling, gardening and cooking.

Caroline Roddy

Caroline Roddy
Early Childhood/Primary Teacher

Caroline is a 2024 AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential Candidate from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. Caroline has a BA in English/Creative Writing from Bates College and loves to read new and diverse fiction books to children. Previously, Caroline was a Teacher Assistant and Summer Camp Counselor at Vineyard Montessori School on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Her plans for the future include working in the school system with LGBTQ+ youth and obtaining a Master’s degree in education or school counseling. In her free time, she loves to bake cookies and cakes, cuddle baby farm animals, and walk on the beach.

Jennifer Ledbury

Jennifer Ledbury
Early Childhood/Primary Assistant Teacher

Originally from Massachusetts, Jennifer has lived in Rhode Island for five years, and has fifteen years of experience working in early education. Jennifer was a lead teacher for the past six years at the Meeting Street School. She received her Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing from Westfield State College and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction and Poetry from New England College. This is her first role in a Montessori classroom. Jennifer is both eager and enthusiastic to espouse the Montessori philosophy, mingling her passions for writing and literacy, she is looking forward to building relationships and continuing her career in early education at MCH.

Toni Simmons

Toni Simmons
Early Childhood/Primary Assistant Teacher

Toni is thrilled to be joining the Montessori Children’s House team for her first year as an Assistant Teacher. Born in Massachusetts and raised in Rhode Island, Toni considers herself a “New Englander for life.” Toni holds Bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and English from the University of Rhode Island. Since she was young herself, Toni has been interested in working with children of all ages and looks forward to nurturing her student’s passions, curiosity, and creativity. From the Wheeler School’s Summer Camp to the Providence Boys & Girls Club, Toni has worked in a wide variety of child-centered settings. She has long been drawn to Montessori educational philosophy and considers its emphasis on independence and respect for students to be an ideal environment to foster learning and growth. She also looks forward to sharing her abundance of animal facts!

Kim Cobo

Kim Cobo
Lower Elementary Teacher

Kim received her AMS Elementary I (6-9) Credential from the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative in 2023. Kim has been teaching in Montessori schools for nine years.  She holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas.  Kim also has AMS  Montessori certification in Early Childhood from Shelton Montessori Teacher Education Center in Dallas, TX.  Kim enjoys arts and culture, good food paired with good company, and relaxing on the weekends.

Brianna Crysler

Brianna Crysler
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

Brianna received her BA in English from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin. She made a career shift in 2019, working as a Pre-K Lead Teacher and a Curriculum Coordinator at an early learning center where she discovered Reggio Emelia inspired teaching. Brianna underwent Montessori training at the Preschool and Kindergarten level, spending the past two years as a Lead Montessori Preschool Teacher. Brianna uses strategies to create a safe, caring, and loving environment for children to have a positive attitude in their educational journey. For Brianna, artistic expression and creativity are key elements of her passion for teaching. Brianna grew up in a military family, so she had the opportunity to travel and call new places home. Her hope is to use these unique travel experiences and implement them into her teaching methods. She currently resides in Warren, RI. In her spare time, Brianna enjoys exploring New England with her fiance, riding her bike to the beach, and designing a charcuterie board for friends!

Mary Olive Gosselink

Mary Olive Gosselink
Upper Elementary Teacher & Elementary Curriculum Coordinator

Hailing from Washington, D.C., Mary Olive received her AMI Elementary 6-12 Diploma from The Washington Montessori Institute. Mary Olive holds a Masters in Education degree from Loyola University of Maryland with a concentration in Montessori Studies. Mary Olive is a hard working, vivacious, and talented educator. She is in her 11th year of teaching and she enjoys learning and helping students grow. Currently, Mary Olive is a Brown University Graduate Student. In her free time she loves learning languages and ballroom dancing. Having taught 4-6th grade for the last three years she is excited about her new role both in and outside of the classroom.

Almu Cuadrado Soto

Almu Cuadrado Soto
Spanish World Language Teacher

Almu is from Madrid, Spain. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy before moving to the United States in 2015. Her passion is to help others to achieve their goals, and has done that through being an Occupational Therapist, career coach and Spanish teacher for more than 15 years. Due to her experience, she can perfectly understand the challenges of learning a new language as well as the importance of being able to communicate with people from other parts of the world. Almu is especially passionate about working with kids, and immersing them in Spanish language, culture, and traditions, especially at a young age. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her adorable son. Almu also loves meditation and dancing.

Angela Cole

Angela Cole
Creative Movement & Physical Education Teacher

Angela is a dance artist, teacher, and fitness instructor based in Providence. After training in classical ballet as a student, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Roger Williams University. For the past five years, she has taught dance in various schools across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as kickboxing and fitness classes for children and adults. Angela continues to create and share her own work in various spaces throughout New England, striving to use movement as a medium to portray the human spirit and stories of people who have inspired her. Angela is passionate about helping students find joy and their own individual voice in dancing and movement, and is elated to begin teaching at Montessori Children’s House this year!

Denis Roche

Denis Roche
Art Teacher

Denis Roche is an artist who has taught art to children in a variety of settings. She is the author
and/or illustrator of numerous children’s books including two instructional books on making art
(Loo-Loo, Boo and Art You Can Do and Art Around the World). In addition to attending Parsons
School of Design, Denis has an MA in Art History and an MFA in writing. Denis is also the mother
of four daughters, three of whom attended MCH in their early years. Visit Denis’s website
Denisroche.com or find her on Instagram @denisrochedraws.

 

Ysabel Montenegros

Ysabel Montenegros
After School Teacher

Merry Kaplan

Merry Kaplan
After School Teacher

Elyse Donohue

Elyse Donohue
After School Teacher