Elementary Faculty
Julie Adams – Lower Elementary Teacher
Julie Adams holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and AMS 6-9 certification. Julie first joined our faculty in 1985. She has the distinction of being MSA’s first elementary teacher and taught for six years before taking time off to raise her children. Julie rejoined our faculty in 1997 and is now Head Teacher in one of our Lower Elementary classes.
Kristina Favaloro - Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
Before joining WHMS, Kristi Favaloro was the Lower Elementary teacher at River Run Montessori in Schenectady. Prior to River Run, Kristi spent five years at the Alice Beal Expeditionary Learning Magnet School in Springfield, Massachusetts teaching third grade. She has a bachelor’s degree in education, and some graduate work in technology, both from Westfield State College in Massachusetts. Kristi completed her AMS Montessori training at Seacoast in 2010.
Sandy Blakeman – Lower Elementary Teacher
Sandy Blakeman received her B.A. in Literature at Bard College in 1981. She has been teaching since 1983. She took elementary education courses at SUNY-New Paltz in 1984 and received her Montessori certification for ages 6-9 in 1987 and 9-12 in 1989 at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (CMTE) in New Rochelle, NY. Before coming to MSA in 1992, Sandy student taught in public schools in Germantown and Red Hook. She began her Montessori career at Windmill Montessori school in Brooklyn, NY and then at the Montessori House of Children in London, Ontario. Sandy has been involved in Montessori teacher education through CMTE and was also a consultant in the development of Albany Public Schools’ Montessori Magnet School.
Olga Febus - Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
Olga Febus holds a B.A. in Psychology from Xavier Pontifical University in Colombia, South America, and a M.S from Florida International University. Olga holds Early Childhood Certification from CMTE. Olga is an assistant teacher in Sandy’s Lower El classroom.
Maryann Montgomery – Lower Elementary Teacher
Maryann Montgomery has a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from St. John’s University in NYC. Maryann has been a teacher for 15 years. She previously worked at Morningstar Montessori in Petersburg, a school she founded. Maryann is certified in Primary in AMS through the Center of Montessori Teacher Education and received her Elementary training through the North American Montessori Center and the Seacoast Center.
Cindy Bishop – Upper Elementary Teacher
Cindy Bishop earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1993 from the State University of New York at New Paltz. In 2001, Cindy attended CMTE/NY in New Rochelle, where she received her Montessori 6-9 training. She taught in the Lower Elementary classroom until June 2006. In 2006, Cindy returned to CMTE/NY to earn 9-12 certification. Cindy currently teaches in the Upper Elementary
Sherrie Clune – Upper Elementary Teacher
Sherrie Clune received her B.A. in Social Studies and Teacher Education from the State University of Albany (1996). She is NYS certified in Social Studies, grades 7-12. Sherrie came to MSA in 1996 and received her Montessori training from CMTE in New Rochelle, NY during the summer of 1998. She taught in the Lower Elementary at WHMS until 2006. In summer 2006, Sherrie received her Montessori Certification at CMTE for the Upper Elementary level and is now co-teaching with Cindy Bishop and Andrew McClain.
Andrew McClain – Upper Elementary Teacher
Andrew McClain began his teaching career in Africa in while studying for his B.A. in Sociology and English at the University of Zambia. Upon his return to the U.S., he lived in Montana and Indiana, and taught at both public and Montessori schools. He received his teaching license for grades 5-9, from Indiana University and his 6-12 Montessori certification from the Center for Montessori Education in New Rochelle, NY . Andrew has taught in the Upper Elementary class since 1994. Additionally, he serves as faculty for the CMTE and was a consultant during the initial development of Albany Public Schools’ Montessori Magnet School.
Michele Praileau – Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher
Michele holds a B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University and an M.S. in Counselor Education from Syracuse University. She has worked with school- aged children as an Education Assistant at the Boys & Girls Clubs in NYC and with college students at Cornell University and the University at Albany. Michele has been an assistand in the Upper Elementary classes since 2007.
Patrick Cartwright – Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher
Patrick Cartwright has a B.A. in English from Hamilton College and a J.D. from Albany Law School. Patrick is a part time assistant in the Upper Elementary. Formerly running a well-respected law firm, Patrick made a life changing decision to pursue his passion for teaching. He is currently in his second year of a Master’s program in teaching for Elementary Education. Prior to his work as an attorney, Patrick worked as an environmental educator, ski and sailing instructor.
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
