Administration
Head of School – Susan Kambrich
Susan Kambrich has served as Head of School at Woodland Hill Montessori School since 2000. She has been a Montessori educator since 1989 and was Lower Elementary Head Teacher at the Montessori School of Albany from 1995-2000. While at MSA, she has served as Elementary Educational Coordinator, Teacher Board Representative, and as Interim Head before becoming Head of School in 2000. Susan also taught as an Upper Elementary teacher at Hudson Montessori School in Ohio, and as a Primary teacher at Woodland Montessori School in Madison, Wisconsin. She has taught public school kindergarten and a toddler program, and directed a Montessori summer program at Fairbanks Montessori in Fairbanks, Alaska. Susan has a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University, and a certificate of advanced studies as School Building Leader from the College of Saint Rose. Susan trained to be a Montessori teacher at Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, DC. She is AMI Montessori certified to teach ages 6-12, AMS certified as a Montessori Administrator and is New York State certified as a principal.
Business Manager – Susan Evans
Susan Evans is a Certified Public Accountant with a B.S. in Accounting from SUNY Oswego, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Rose. She has almost 20 years of experience in business management and accounting. Previously, Susan worked as an accountant at Marvin and Co. for seven years and a Controller at Hopmeier, Evans, Gage for ten years. Susan also served our community as Treasurer to our Board of Trustees, and as our reading teacher for two years.
Director of Admissions and Community Outreach – Kris Gernert-Dott
Kris Gernert-Dott has a B.S. in Psychology from Union College and also studied for a year at the University of Erlangen in Germany. She is our Director of Admissions and Community Outreach. Kris joined WHMS in 2003 year later as our Admissions Director. Her prior experience includes college admissions work since 1987 at Union College, Skidmore College, and Hamilton College. Kris also co-owned the Montessori Toddler’s and Children’s House in Schenectady from 1999-2003.
Office Manager – Meg Parascandola
Meg Parascandola comes to us with a Teacher Assistant Certificate from Hudson Valley Community College. Meg’s previous employment includes working as a Teacher Aide at the Averill Park Central School District where she provided academic support to classroom teachers and assisted with classroom management. Her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts has supplied her with the skills and initiative to coordinate and implement creative and organized group activities as well as managing the many tasks needed to keep our front office running smoothly.
Office Coordinator – Catherine Sager
Catherine Sager joined our staff in 2004 with experience including office management for Robert C. Parker School, East Greenbush Central Schools and Music Mobile, Inc. She writes for, edits and takes photos for our Messengers and advises our student newspaper. In addition, Catherine updates our website, coordinates testing, organizes the textbook loan program, and manages field trip requests. As our Chief Information Officer, Catherine handles student records management with North East Regional Information Center and the NYS Education Department
Director of Development and Communications – Moira Rienzo
Moira Rienzo graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She joined WHMS as the Director of Development and Communications in 2007. Her prior experience includes work for the Finance Department at RPI, and as Membership Coordinator at WAMC Public Radio. Moira is very involved in fund-raising and event planning on a volunteer basis for the Friends of Prospect Park, and the Junior League of Troy.
School Counselor - Jane Benson-Rivera -
Jane Benson-Rivera holds a MS in Guidance and Counseling from Sage Graduate School in Troy as well as a MS in Educational Administration and Policy Studies, specializiing in Higher Education and B.A. in Psychology, with minors in Business and Biology from the University at Albany. She joined our staff in 2008 as our school counselor.
Woodland Hill Montessori School
100 Montessori Place, North Greenbush, New York 12144
Tel: 518.283.5400 | Fax: 518.283.4861 | School Care & After hours: 518.496.4136
