Thacher Montessori School

Mindy Grinacoff

Toddler Lead Guide

Mindy joined the Thacher staff in 2003. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Psychology. Mindy also holds a Master’s degree in Education and has completed her AMI Infant/Toddler Certification from the Montessori Institute of North Texas.

Kelley Doherty

Toddler Assistant Guide

Kelley Doherty attended Bridgewater State University. When she is not working in the Toddler Community she enjoys spending time with family and reading.

Isadora Howard-Karp

Children's House A Lead Guide

Isadora has a Bachelors Degree in early childhood education from Lesley University.  Immediately following graduation she did her AMI training with Ohio Montessori Training Institute.  Isadora worked at Thacher for 1 year before going back to school for American Sign Language Interpreting.  Since then she has been running a home based childcare program for deaf and hearing children and parenting her 2 children, Emmett and Brianna.  Isadora enjoys spending time outside with her children.  She also loves kayaking, camping and boxing.

Daniel De Berry

Children's House A Assistant and After School Care

Danny came to Boston from New Jersey in order to study developmental psychology at Suffolk University. He has been working in a Montessori environment since 2005, and made the switch to Thacher in 2008. He is currently in the process of earning his AMI primary certification through the Montessori Institute of San Diego. In his spare time Danny enjoys photography, reading, and rooting for the New York Mets.

Irina Straus

Children's House B Lead Guide

Irina has a B.A. in Elementary Education from the Pedagogical Institute in Latvia and spent eight years as an elementary teacher in Latvia prior to moving to the United States. She completed her AMS Montessori 3 – 6 training at the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center (NEMTEC) while interning at Thacher. Irina started as Lead Guide in Children’s House B in 2005. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, traveling, gardening, and going to an authentic Finnish sauna.

Carla Moore

Children's House C Lead Guide

Carla has a B.A. degree in Developmental Psychology from New York University, took her Montessori training and holds an AMS Primary Certificate. She is currently working toward attaining her AMI Primary Certificate. Carla earned a dual Masters Degree in mental health counseling and school counseling from Lesley University. She taught in several Montessori schools, one of which was in India where she created a Montessori classroom in an international school. Carla returned to Thacher in 2005. She loves collecting Indian cultural artifacts, learning about different cultures, and playing her several Indian instruments.

Donna Ryan

Children's House C Assistant

This is Donna's ninth year as children's house assistant. Prior to her employment at Thacher she worked many years in the food service industry. Donna attended Saint Joseph's College in Maine and received a B.A in history. She enjoys cooking, working out and bicycling in her free time.

Michelle Seyller

Children's House D Lead Guide

Working at Thacher Montessori School since 2005, Michelle holds a B.A. in Psychology from Northeastern University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Endicott College. Michelle also holds an AMS Montessori Primary Certificate from the Northeast Montessori Institute, as well as an AMI Primary Certificate from the CREC Institute of Teaching and Learning in Hartford, CT. Prior to coming to Thacher, Michelle spent eight years as the Program Director of a Rehabilitative Center for disabled adults. She is an avid reader who lives on the South Shore with her husband and two sons.

Gayle Feldman

Children's House D Assistant

Gayle came to Thacher in 2001 as a Children’s House assistant and also runs the Before School Program with another assistant. She has an Associate’s Degree. Before coming to Thacher Gayle was a legal secretary, a daycare teacher, and a florist. Gayle has been married for 34 years and has two adult children. She is an avid reader and loves spending time with her family and friends.

Patricia Jackson

Lower Elementary A Lead Guide

Pat received both her Bachelor degree in Business Administration and Masters in Teaching degree from Simmons College (but twenty years apart.) She was a retail executive during the twenty-year interim. She began her teaching career at Old Colony Montessori in Hingham and received her Montessori training at Seacoast Center in Scituate. She holds a certificate for the 6-12 program. She joined Thacher's staff in 1993, beginning a third Lower Elementary class. She lives in Norwell with her husband, William, her daughter, Liz and her grandson, Will.

Jill McAuley

Lower Elementary A Assistant

Jill is new to the Boston area after receiving her Montessori Elementary Diploma from the Toronto Montessori Institute in Toronto, Ontario. She received a degree in Psychology from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick and a degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Brunswick. Her interests include: traveling, reading, skiing, and playing softball in the summer.

Heather Ewing

Lower Elementary B Lead Guide

Heather received a B.A. in English from Providence College in 1995. In 2001 Heather completed the AMI elementary training and earned her M.Ed. at the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College in Maryland. She has been a Montessori guide in Pennsylvania and Maine prior to moving to Massachusetts. In her free time, Heather enjoys reading and being outside. She also likes new challenges including learning to surf in chilly Maine waters and learning to curl.

Rosemary Connor

Lower Elementary B Assistant

Rosemary began her career at Thacher in 1984. She has worked as an Elementary Assistant, in the After Care Program, and as a yoga instructor to Children's House students. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Quincy College. Rosemary was trained in children's yoga by Shakta Kaur Khalsa who was a Montessori teacher for over thirty years. She has three daughters, one son, and ten grandchildren with whom she loves to spend time. Rosemary enjoys exercising, cooking, yoga, photography and independent films.

Shannon Staples

Lower Elementary C Lead Guide

Shannon earned an AMI Elementary diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute along with a Master's Degree in Education from Loyola College in Maryland in 2007. She received her undergraduate degree in anthropology and fine art from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2006. Shannon moved to Boston after graduate school, and she's been working at Thacher since that time. In her spare time, she does a lot of reading, cooking, and listening to music. She loves hiking and tries to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying nature.

Laura D'Amore

Lower Elementary C Assistant

Laura earned a BFA in sculpture from Boston University. Before joining Thacher she had a career in sponsored research, and is a childbirth doula. She loves reading, hiking, and spends most of her time with her three children.

Zarrin Atkins

Upper Elementary A Lead Guide

Zarrin was all All American swimmer in high school and continued swimming throughout her college career. In 2001, “Z” received a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College. She completed AMI Elementary training at Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College where she also earned an M.Ed. Since then Z has been teaching in a Montessori elementary classroom. During the past summers Z directed the American Red Cross swim program at an overnight camp in Maine. During the winter months she spends as much time as possible on the ski slopes! She currently lives in the South End.

Michele Burgess

Upper Elementary A Assistant

Michele holds a B.A. in Fine Art & Anthropology from Montclair State University and a Post Baccalaureate Diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. She has her Primary AMI Certification from the Montessori Training center of New England. Her interests include visiting museums & galleries, hiking, running and camping.

Amy Smith

Upper Elementary A Lead Guide

Amy has been with Thacher since 2008. She received her BA in Psycho-biology from Wellesley College in 1994. After graduation Amy moved about the country finally settling in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Upon her return to the Boston area Amy began her Montessori training and graduated with an AMI Elementary level diploma from the Montessori Training Center of New England in Hartford CT. Amy spends her free time with her three elementary-aged children playing dominos and baking.

Laura Hacker

Upper Elementary B Assistant

Laura holds an undergraduate BFA in Fiber Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters of Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College. She has worked as an assistant at both the Primary and Elementary Levels for many years. Laura enjoys reading, gardening, weaving, making jewelry and anything that involves being outside.

Ty Johnston

Adolescent Program
Co-Lead Guide

Ty has been at Thacher since 1980, as a Children's House, Upper Elementary and now Adolescent Program guide. Her B.A. is from Ottawa University and she holds Montessori diplomas at the Children's House, Lower and Upper Elementary, and Adolescent levels. She obtained a Masters of Education from Lesley University in May, 2007 and holds a Massachusetts State Licensure for Middle School Humanities.

When she isn't here at Thacher Ty can be found working in her gardens, reading, or practicing yoga. She and her husband live in Sharon and have three adult children.

Adam Percy

Adolescent Program
Co-Lead Guide

Adam graduated from Vermont's Saint Michael's College in 2007, with a B.A. in Political Science. After college Adam spent 2007-2009 as an Americorps volunteer, working with City Year Boston and Playworks Boston. Adam came to Thacher in 2009, teaching Humanities in the AP. He completed his NAMTA Adolescent Training in the Summer of 2010. Adam spends his summers as an activity head at summer camp. In his free time he enjoys playing soccer, cooking, and going for walks through the Arnold Arboretum. He currently lives in Roslindale.

Elisa Antonuccio

Spanish

Elisa received her Law degree from Central University of Venezuela. She also has a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Massachusetts. Prior to coming to Thacher she taught Spanish in several schools in the south shore. She is a Thacher parent who loves reading, dancing and exercising.

Sally Fitzgerald

Mathematics and Science

Sally received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of New Hampshire, attended graduate courses in education at New York University and San Francisco State, and has a Massachusetts teaching certificate. She is starting her eighth year at Thacher. Prior to coming to Thacher Sally worked at Sacred Heart High School, Dana Hall, and Eliot Montessori. She likes to garden, hike, run, camp, and read.

Kristyn Mills

Art

Kristyn has her B.A. in Studio Art from Middlebury College with a concentration and certification in Elementary education. She began working at Thacher in 1994 as After School Director and as a Children's House Assistant. In 2002 Kristyn became our art teacher. She also teaches several after school enrichment programs. She has been the art director during the Elementary Summer and the Arts program since 2002. Kristyn has worked as a volunteer camp counselor for 6-12th graders, a Jr. High youth director, and was a nanny for several years. She likes hiking, running, kayaking, drawing, painting, photography, pottery, jewelry making, playing handbells, traveling and playing Auntie! She plans to travel to every continent.

Holly Smith

Academic Support Services

Holly joined Thacher Montessori School in 1997. She is Massachusetts state certified in Special Needs (K-8) and Elementary Education. She has completed graduate courses in education, reading and math and is certified in various reading methods. Before coming to Thacher, Holly taught in the Norwood Public Schools, the Commonwealth Learning Center in Needham, and privately tutored children. She has two daughters and lives in Canton with Jerry, her husband, and Eve, the dog. Holly enjoys oil painting, reading, and golf.

Todd Sullivan

Physical Education

Todd is a graduate of Springfield College where he studied Physical Education and Sports Journalism. Among many other hobbies, Todd loves basketball and music collecting. He is also an active participant in his community.

Vicky Varnum

Assistant Business Manager & Spanish Instructor

Vicky grew up in Colombia, South America. She taught Spanish in after school programs in the past. Vicky studied Psychology in Colombia, and is currently finishing her double major degrees in Psychology and Business at Curry College in Milton. Vicky has 3 children and loves biking, hiking and camping. She also loves exploring nature with her family, making scrapbooks and audio books.

Andrea Barsomian-Dietrich

Director of Information Technology & Social Media

Andrea earned her Bachelor's degree at University of Waterloo and has worked in various aspects of the computer industry ever since. Her daughter Carmen is a Thacher graduate. Most days Andrea commutes to Thacher on her bicycle; her other interests include her family, windsurfing, yoga and skiing.

Alice Catlin

Adolescent & Elementary Education Coordinator

Alice has her AMI Montessori Certification at the Elementary Level (ages 6 to 12). She has taught for many years, two of which were here at Thacher in the Upper Elementary classroom. She holds an undergraduate degree in French from the University of Virginia. In addition, she has a Masters of Education with an emphasis in Montessori Education from Loyola College and a Masters Degree in Special Education, mild to moderate disabilities.

Miriam Goulston

Library Services & Administrative Assistant

Miriam received her BS in psychology from Boston University and her MSW from Florida International University. She practiced child and family therapy in Florida as well as working with children at risk and individuals with dual diagnoses. Since having her daughter Rachel 9 years ago, she has been concentrating on raising her and being very involved in her Montessori education.

Leanne (Jake) Jacobellis

Library Services & General Assistant

Leanne Jacobellis, best known as Jake, has a BS in communications from Fitchburg State College. She worked in the film and television industry and later as a project manager 15 years. She enjoys volunteering and working with kids of all ages. Along with assisting as a substitute and in the library, Jake is currently involved in voice acting and voice over work. She reads books to the toddlers and after care kids at Thacher and was honored to come aboard in helping the school in any way she can!

Maureen O'Grady

Office Manager

Maureen holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from Bridgewater State University. Prior to joining the staff at Thacher, she worked for several years as an Operations Manager at a Charter School in Boston. Most recently, Maureen was a stay-at-home mom to her two sons, Aiden and Kieran. Maureen is a Montessori parent and enjoys spending time with family & friends.

Kasia Savill

After School Care

Kasia graduated from Umass Boston in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. She has been with us for four years working in the After Care program and Childrens House. She is now a co-director of the After School Program. In her spare time time she enjoys gardening, decorating, boating and outdoor activities. Kasia loves to spend as much time as possible with her family.

Bob Southard

Business Manager

Bob received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. After graduating from college, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He has worked for Deloitte & Touche, a shoe manufacturing company, and owned his owned restaurants. He is also on the Board of Directors for Dream Change, an environmentally oriented non-profit organization. Bob is the author of Ordinary Secrets: Notes for your Spiritual Journey and has a new book, Conscious Living Made Easy which will be available in 2011. Bob enjoys writing, reading and spending time with his family.

Joy Tardiff

Assistant Head of School

Joy has her Bachelor's from Yale and her M.D. from Northwestern. After five years in practice as a Pediatrician, she became a full-time mother.  When her second child entered Children’s House at Thacher, she joined the staff as a librarian, then joined the administrative staff, and eventually served as Associate Director of Admissions.  Her daughter is a proud graduate of Thacher and her son is in his final year of the Adolescent Program.  Joy enjoys playing English handbells, directing Resonance (a beginner handbell group) and singing.