Alexa, Head of School, has a M.Ed in Education, an AMS Early Childhood Teaching Credential from Princeton Center for Teacher Education, and a BA in History. Alexa completed the Bowen Systems Family Training through the Princeton Family Center for Education and Professional Training in Behavioral Teaching Strategies (ABA Training) at Eden Autism Services. She has over 20 years of experience as a Director of School, Director of Admissions, Montessori Consultant, Interim Head of School, Montessori Teacher, and Princeton Center for Teacher Education Field Consultant and Evaluator. Alexa’s two daughters were Montessori educated, and Alexa is proud of the individuals they have become: independent, confident women embracing life and learning with passion and drive.
Andreea, Director of Marketing & Communications, is passionate about the Montessori educational model and enjoys sharing this with anyone looking to instill a joy for learning in their children. Andreea has a literature degree from NYU and an MBA from Rutgers. She has spent the last 12 years in educational technology, managing (and working with young readers on) literacy products, and previously, grant writing for non-profit foundations. Andreea joined the HPMS administrative team as well as the Blue Room teaching team in 2016 and completed her Montessori Teaching Certification for Early Childhood later that year. Her son, Julian, is a proud, third level Ocean Room student who enjoys volunteering at the school store every chance he gets.
Annie D’elia Daly, General Administrator and Events, is also a Field Visitor for the CME|NY Early Childhood Course. A pioneer in Montessori family day care, she has been actively involved in Montessori education since she received her Montessori Early Childhood training from AERCO in 1988. She served as National Public Speaker and Trainer for Save the Children at their annual conferences from 1991-1993. Annie serves in Community Outreach for Achilles International and has created MONTESSORI WORLDWIDE to bring Montessorians together to walk and run to raise funds for the Achilles Kids–a program that helps children with disabilities get the opportunity to exercise regularly and compete with other runners, helping them become stronger and healthier.
Cynthia, Director of Upper Elementary and Middle School , has an M.Ed in Independent School Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College (New York, NY), a MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, NY), a JD from Boston University School of Law (Boston, MA), and a BA in English Literature from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL). Cynthia has taught English and history to grades 6-12 in public and private schools in Florida, New York State, and Egypt, as well as serving as Upper School Director at a private high school on Long Island. She is the conferencing teacher for the Middle School class and teaches the Humanities block. Cynthia is impressed by the positive energy and warm atmosphere at HPMS and has enjoyed helping to launch the Middle School Program.
Diana, Technology Director, has a BS in Computer Science from Langara College. After moving to NYC, she pursued a career as an IT Systems Manager on Wall Street. Her family was one of the first to attend HPMS when our doors opened in 2006. Her passion for Montessori education has brought her back to HPMS, where she is thrilled to continue to be a part of our community. Diana and her husband are avid travelers who love to introduce their three children to different cultures. They often visit her hometown, Prague, Czech Republic, where they enjoy the architecture and the food.
LaLa, Director of Operations and Student Services & Educational Director for Wee and Bridge, has her AMS Early Childhood teaching credential through West Side Montessori School and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education through New York University. She has 11 years of teaching experience in two Montessori schools and has been supervising student teachers for West Side Montessori School-Teacher Education Program (WSMS-TEP) for four years. She also trained in Writers Workshop at Teachers College at Columbia University and is very glad to participate in the Writers Workshop teaching in HPMS. LaLa is from Taiwan and very excited to share Taiwanese culture with the HPMS community!
Lindsey, Business Manager, has a B.S. in Art Education and a B.A. in Graphic Design. She has over 10 years of combined experience working within the field of education as an elementary and middle school art teacher, a college admissions director, and a director of operations at a university. Lindsey recently moved to Jersey City, and is excited to be part of the HPMS community. Her son, James, also recently joined HPMS as a student in the Wee classroom.
Michele, Director of Early Childhood, has an AMS Early Childhood teaching credential through Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE) and a BA in Literature through Rutgers University. Michele has over 20 years of experience in education across both public charter and private Montessori settings. She has been a supervising teacher for interns from both PCTE and WSMS-TEP, is in her sixth year as a Field Consultant, and has also worked as a teacher trainer, focusing on the Sensorial curriculum. Michele attended the Teachers College Writing Project at Columbia University, where she was trained in Lucy Calkins’ Writing Program, and she is excited to continue developing HPMS as a community of active, articulate and enthusiastic writers. She also enjoys collaborating with the upper school staff in developing HPMS’ health curriculum and ecology/garden curriculum. Michele opened the Red Room at HPMS in the fall of 2007, and she has been thrilled to grow with the HPMS community ever since.
Samantha, Founder, has a M.Ed in Educational Administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College (New York, NY), a MA in Teaching from Trinity College (Washington, D.C.), a Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Credential from The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies (Silver Spring, MD), and a BA in Psychology from Denison University (Granville, OH). Samantha is State Certified as an Administrator and Teacher, and she has over 20 years of combined experience as a Montessori educator in both public and private school settings. Samantha is also a Field Consultant for The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, and she has been an Evaluator and Instructor at IAMS. Her two sons attend HPMS; Robert is in the Bridge Program and James is in the Elementary Program.
