Julie Adams

jadams@woodlandhill.org

Lower Elementary Teacher

Julie Adams joined our faculty first 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 the Head Teacher in one of our Lower Elementary classes.

Julie holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and AMS 6-9 certification.

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Cindy Bishop

Upper Elementary Teacher
 
Cindy joined the Woodland Hill Montessori School community as a parent in the Fall of 2000, and soon discovered the wonders of Montessori. In 2001, Cindy attended CMTE NY at New Rochelle where she received her 6-9 training. She taught in the Lower Elementary classroom until June 2006. During the summer of 2006, Cindy returned to CMTE NY; this time for 9-12 training. She is currently working to fulfill her requirements for 6-12 certification. Currently, Cindy is teaching at the Upper Elementary level and is co-teaching with Sherrie Clune and Andrew McClain. Cindy earned her B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz (1993), and holds an A.O.S. in Culinary Arts.

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Sandy Blakeman

Lower Elementary Teacher

Sandy Blakeman has been teaching since 1983. She received her B.A. in Literature at Bard College (1981). She subsequently took elementary education courses at SUNY-New Paltz (1984) and received her Montessori certification for ages 6-9 (1987) and 9-12 (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.

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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 teaches in the Lower Elementary at WHMS. Sherrie taught in the Lower Elementary at WHMS until 2006. In summer 2006, Sherrie studied Montessori education at CMTE for the Upper Elementary level and is co-teaching with Cindy Bishop and Andrew McClain.

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Megan Donnelly-Heg

Lower Elementary Teache

Megan Donnelly-Heg, Lower Elementary Head Teacher, is a graduate from Loyola College in Maryland. She holds a Master's Degree with an emphasis  in Montessori Education. She taught in at the Brookwood School in Cooperstown prior to coming to WHMS. Megan earned a B.A. in psychology and child development at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA.  She is A.M.I. trained and holds permanent certification to teach Pre-K - 6 grade in New York State.

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Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

Olga Febus works in the Lower Elementary with Sandy Blakeman. Olga previously worked in our Primary with Julia Hughes.  She is Montessori trained and also has a Bachelor's Degree in psychology. Previously, Olga worked with students in school settings as a school counselor. Originally from Colombia, Olga is bilingual in Spanish and English and is advisor to our Spanish club.

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Cora Hamm

chamm@woodlandhill.org

Middle School Teacher

Cora Hamm joined the WHMS community as our Middle School teacher for the 2006-2007 school year. Cora completed her undergraduate course work at the State University of New York at Cortland, where she earned a B.A. and New York State teacher certification in adolescent Social Studies education 7-12. At Cortland, she completed her student teaching in a 7th grade classroom in nearby Dryden, NY. Currently, Cora is pursuing a Master's Degree in Education from the University at Albany, focusing on Educational Technology.

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Upper Elementary Teacher

Andrew McClain began his teaching career in Africa in 1972, while studying for his B.A. in Sociology and English at the University of Zambia (1975). Upon his return to the US, 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 (1985), and his 6-12 Montessori certification from the Center for Montessori Education in New Rochelle, NY (1987). Andrew has taught 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. 

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Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher

Liz Thorpe is the assistant teacher in Megan’s Lower Elementary classroom. Liz received her B.A. in Childhood and Special Education with a concentration in English from The College of Saint Rose. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Literacy at Saint Rose. In her spare time, Liz enjoys playing tennis, jogging, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

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Kerry Branigan

Middle School Assistant Teacher

Kerry’s experience includes positions as a teacher throughout the Albany Public School District, Giffen Memorial, Woodson School and most recently at the Hebrew Academy. In 2002, Kerry earned a Master’s Degree in Reading. While attending SUNY Oswego, she received her B.S. in Elementary Education, and minored in Athletic Coaching. In addition to her work in the WHMS Middle School classroom Kerry will coach our students in Cross Country.

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Michele Praileau

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Astra Rodrigo

arodrigo@woodlandhill.org
 
Lower Elementary Assistant Teacher
 

Astra Rodrigo is a Lower Elementary Assistant in Julie Adams' classroom. Astra holds a Master's Degree from Loyola College in Maryland with an emphasis in Montessori Education. She has her A.M.I. certification (Association Montessori International) and holds a B.A. from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY in Fine and Performing Arts. Astra was also a student of the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in NYC and the Urbino Italy Dance Program. Astra has worked our summer program, taught movement and music classes, and worked in family child care prior to her Montessori experience.

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