Primary Faculty
Cassandre Hall – Primary Head Teacher
Cassandre Hall holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a M.S. in Early Childhood Education Montessori (AMS) from Barry University. She joined the staff of WHMS in 2006. Her previous experience includes work as an assistant teacher for one and one-half years in a Florida Montessori Preschool and as a Kindergarten Teacher at Pine Hills Montessori Day Care for three years. During her third year at Pine Hills, Cassandre served as the Interim Director.
Lourdes Ortega – Primary Assistant Teacher
Lourdes Ortega received Montessori training from Princeton Montessori Center in New Jersey. Lourdes joined WHMS in 2003 as a summer camp instructor. Lourdes also served as our School Care and Enrichment Director for five years. Currently, she is the assistant teacher in Cassandre’s class and serves as co-director of our summer program.
Liz Cahrenger – Primary Head Teacher
Liz Cahrenger has been a teacher at WHMS/MSA since 1988. With a B.S. in Education from SUNY Cortland, Liz was Montessori certified in 1995. During her tenure, she has been a Primary Head Teacher, Primary Coordinator, and Board Representative. She has presented workshops for the Greater Capital District Teachers Series at HVCC and at the College of St. Rose. Liz also served as a field consultant for CMTE and NMI. In December 2002, Liz was chosen as “Educator of the Week” on Newschannel 13.
Kristen McDermott – Primary Assistant Teacher
Kristen McDermott holds an A.A.S Degree in Early Childhood from HVCC and completed her student teaching at Woodland Hill. She works as Liz Cahrenger’s teacher assistant. Kristen has been working at WHMS since 2004. She began working in the summer program continuing with us as a substitute before becoming an assistant teacher.
Nancy Hillengas – Primary Head Teacher
Nancy Hillengas holds a B.A. in Art History from Skidmore and a M.S. in Education from University of Pennsylvania. Nancy came to MSA as an assistant teacher in 1998. She received her Primary Montessori Certification from Northeast Montessori Institute. For eleven years, she has been sharing her enthusiasm and experience as Head Teacher. Nancy previously taught at the Albany Academy for Girls, first as a primary science teacher, then as a third grade homeroom teacher and as both a primary and elementary teacher at the Montessori Magnet School in Albany.
Ashley Ciccone- Primary Assistant Teacher
Ashley Ciccone assists Nancy Hillengas in Primary. Ashley has worked in our afterschool program since 2007 and currently supervises children during nap and recess. Prior to joining the staff at Woodland Hill, Ashley worked for three years as an Assistant teacher at Children’s Corner Daycare Center. Ashley has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of St. Rose.
Valerie Ang – Primary Head Teacher
Valerie Ang graduated with honors from the University of Toronto in psychology and sociology. Valerie is Primary AMS Certified and previously taught at Kew Park Montessori School before joining the WHMS staff in 2004. She returned in 2008 as an assistant in Lower Elementary and has been a Primary Head Teacher since 2009.
Leah Walsh - Primary Assistant Teacher
Leah Walsh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College with a concentration in dance and design. Leah’s experience includes work as actor as well as costume and set designer for Steamer 10. Her teaching background includes home school teacher and classroom aid at the Robert C. Parker School. While still in college, Leah led a classroom of two- and three-year olds for which she designed and led a themed curriculum. Leah works in Primary with Valerie.
