Welcome!
Please scroll to learn more about our team of amazing, seasoned, creative, passionate, dedicated professionals!
We require our teaching team be Montessori certified or have Montessori training; be Lead Teacher and Teacher qualified through the Massachusetts Office of Early Education and Care. Each age group has at least one Montessori certified Lead Teacher overseeing the space.
We commit to an annual minimum of 24 - 30 Continuing Education hours, including Montessori curriculum, diversity, family partnerships and our certified, play based outdoor space trainings.
Monthly team meetings allow us to plan, reflect, support families, and each other. We take an active role in planning and hosting our family events. These include our annual Art Show, Fall Festival, Ice Cream Social, Montessori Family Night, STEM and Literacy Nights and our annual Family-Faculty Volunteer Day.
We work with the Sandwich Fire Department, conducting annual Fire Safety drills and training. and have worked with the Sandwich Police Department in receiving ALICE (proactive intruder-lock-down) training.
Montessori Beginnings is a member of the American Montessori Society.
OUR TEAM:
KATHY RAYMOND
HEAD OF SCHOOL
As a young at heart owner, educator, mother and nature enthusiast, Kathy is multi-faceted.
Kathy’s extensive management and customer service background helps in overseeing the school through family and community engagement, teaching and team building. She has formed strong community connections, including Kind Hearts for Kids, now serving as board President, and as a Cape Cod Toy Library board member. Both amazing organizations have provided opportunities to give back to the community. Kathy’s work as a Rotarian, allows her to volunteer through local Bourne-Sandwich events, including Sandwich Fest.
Passionate about community, education and nature, an important goal is to educate about the impact the power of play has on early childhood education. Another goal is to educate and broaden access to high quality education, and nature based play spaces, while increasing community awareness to their value and importance. She is a Play Ambassador with the Cape Cod Toy Library. Kathy assisted in the creation of the Outdoor Play Oasis at the Hyannis Public Library. This public gem, allows children and community to play and gather.
Under Kathy’s direction, Montessori Beginnings consulted with Heritage Gardens in 2013, becoming the first Cape school to have a certified, nature based, Nature Explore play space. Local administrators have visited to learn about adding more nature based play into their own spaces. The school was honored to be named Best Childcare in 2014 and 2017 by the former Cape Cod Magazine. Last year, Montessori Beginnings was honored by the Cape Cod Times, as one of Cape Cod’s top five schools.
Kathy has presented at Dean College regarding the importance of outdoor play, and how to effectively set up and maintain an outdoor playspace within a budget. She has co-presented at Cape Cod’s All Professional Day. The Nature is Curriculum collaborative presentation, explored the bounty of teachable moments, resources and materials nature provides all year long.
She is Montessori certified through the North American Montessori Center for Infants and Toddlers. In addition, she is certified with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and a member of the American Montessori Society. Her love of children inspired her to study at Lesley University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Kathy has over 20 years in education. This combined with her personal experience as her child's first teacher at Montessori Beginnings, underscores her understanding of the vital partnership between families and educators in fostering a child’s growth. This perspective not only enriches the learning environment, but ensures children receive consistent encouragement and guidance from both home and school.
It is Kathy's personal goal to help every child feel successful and respected.
JEN CURTIS
EDUCATION DIRECTOR/CHILDREN’S HOUSE HEAD TEACHER (Tree Classroom - 2.9 years to 6 years )
Jen is Massachusetts Teacher certified and received Director I and II certifications from the Department of Early Education and Care. She graduated from the North American Montessori Center, specializing in the Children’s House (3-6 year old) Program. She is licensed to teach Infant/Toddler/Preschool and Kindergarten through the Department of Early Education and Care. She studied at Lesley University, Cambridge, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education . Jen doesn't have a favorite group of children to work with since they are ever-changing and full of wonder. She considers it a blessing to watch the youngest ones grow and transform into capable, creative young children as they move through the program.
Jen has presented at Dean College on the importance of outdoor play for young children. She has co-presented the Nature is Curriculum presentation at Cape Cod’s All Professional Day, stressing the importance of using nature’s bounty all year long.
Jen brings over 30 years of childcare experience to Montessori Beginnings. She was a nanny for over fifteen years and spent eight years teaching preschool children in a traditional setting before falling in love with the Montessori method. She is a National Rotarian member, serving as her chapter’s Co-President. She currently serves on the board for KInd Hearts for Kids.
Jen's perspective as a mother and educator, sums up her belief that "teachers are just one of the tools that help children learn and grow," reflects a holistic understanding of the learning process. By acknowledging the diverse supports involved in a child's learning journey, Jen promotes the idea of collaboration among all contributors to a child's education, fostering an inclusive and enriched learning experience.
christine burke
TODDLER LEAD TEACHER (Sprout Classroom - 12 to 36 months)
Christine’s childcare journey began after she had her youngest son. With the desire to work and be with her young son, she came to Montessori Beginnings when the school first opened, took a break, returning in 2019 with a rekindled passion for early childhood education. She brings over 18 years of experience, and has worked as both a substitute and part-time Montessori teacher, in Waldorf and Head Start settings, and directed a small center in Sandwich. One of her classroom joys is to observe a child work with a material then be excited and proud to have mastered it.
Christine graduated with honors and a degree in Early Childhood Education from Cape Cod Community College. She is certified through the Office of Early Education and Care and has received training through Trillium Montessori. She lives in Sandwich with her husband, sons and grandsons. In her spare time Christine enjoys paddle boarding, island camping in Maine and kayaking.
STEPHANIE JOHNSON
CHILDREN’S HOUSE TEACHER (Tree Classroom - 2.9 through 6 years))
Stephanie has been affiliated with Montessori Beginnings since 2005, when she was our first Infant - Toddler Lead Teacher. She has three children of her own and still loves the joy and gratification from working with our young students.
Stephanie has Early Childhood certification through Cape Cod Community College and the Massachusetts Office of Early Education and Care, and has received training from Trillium Montessori. She brings over 20 years of experience and passion to the classroom.
You will often find Stephanie right there on the floor with the children, supporting them as they increase their independence or work through various areas in the classroom. Her calm and attentive manner is so reassuring. When not with us, Stephanie enjoys spending free time with her children, especially at dance or sport classes.
She believes children are a gift and our job is to nurture and help them become independent and lifelong learners.
melissa Waterbury
TODDLER HEAD TEACHER (Sprout Classroom - 12 to 36 months)
Melissa begins her 13th year in education and considers herself a lifelong learner. Melissa obtained a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development and Education from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. Melissa joined us after leaving her Assitant Director position in Cambridge, to move to Cape Cod. Here, she is nurturing her passion for teaching and curiosity for the Montessori method.
Melissa finds joy in observing the magical moments of discovery that come from children exploring their world. She sees all children as capable people and promotes problem solving and risk assessment at a young age. Melissa works to create a peaceful and minimalist classroom environment that has been designed to allow for autonomy and freedom of exploration. Children can then feel ownership over their space which is in keeping with the Montessori philosophy. Outside of teaching, Melissa enjoys crafting, baking, spending time with family, and exploring all that Cape Cod has to offer.
amy curtis
TODDLER HEAD TEACHER (Sprout Classroom - 12 to 36 months)/ IT COORDINATOR
Amy has been an integral part of our community for 10 years, beginning as an assistant while still in high school. Amy has a natural, nurturing way with children and they gravitate to her. She enjoys working with children, her calm manner, helping them as they learn and grow. She is finishing her Massachusetts Office of Early Education and Care Infant - Toddler Certification, and has received training from Trillium Montessori.
Amy helped redesign our MBS website and is always ready to help with any technology and internet problems that arise. Her versatility and creativity are evident in the work she does with the children, the materials found on the classroom shelves and suggestions provided to improve our digital presence.
Graduated from Montserrat College of Art, she plans to further her education and continue her work with children.
GRETCHEN MCKAY
TODDLER LEAD TEACHER (Sprout Classroom - 12 to 36 months)
Gretchen's Montessori experience began in Bergamo, Italy as a young student in one of Maria Montessori's original schools. She has never looked back and loves the simplicity and beauty of this philosophy, based on respect and peace. As an educator, Gretchen particularly likes the power of the curriculum and how teachers and families support children. She believes in working with families, listening and validating, for the success of every child in her care.
Gretchen shares 36 years experience and gains renewed passion and potential from each new school year. She received her Montessori certification through the College of Notre Dame and Washington Montessori Institute. She has a Psychology B.S. from Wellesley College and is certified through the MA Office of Early Education and Care.
Gretchen enjoys nature, spending time with her husband and being "Mom" to twin boys.
SUSAN FITZGERALD
ASSISTANT TEACHER - YOGA/MUSIC & MOVEMENT
Susan began her Montessori career, first as a volunteer in her son Joseph’s preschool classroom in Holliston, Ma, where Montessori has been an integral part of the public school system for over forty years. By the time her son was in second grade, Susan knew if she could do anything, she would become a teacher. She put her nursing career on hold to pursue her education at Lesley University. She also studied dance in their expressive therapy program
Upon receiving her Massachusetts State Teaching Certification in Prek-3 grade, Susan went on to obtain Montessori certification at Northeast Montessori Institute. She also continued her studies in dance and became a Kinderdance Franchise owner, bringing ballet and tap to various schools. Susan has taught in the public schools as a kindergarten teacher as well as progressive private schools as a Montessori teacher. She has had the honor of presenting a workshop in Mathematics at the International Montessori Conference.
Susan loves to travel and has attended yoga workshops in Hawaii, Nassau, and New Zealand. She is a trained Level 1 and 2 Radiant Yoga teacher for children. Susan brings over 25 years of experience to Montessori Beginnings.
Susan brings such a calming presence wherever she is assisting. Often you find her leading a group of children in some joyous movement outside or a bit of yoga indoors. Her experience, diversity and unbridled joy, set our children up for success everyday.
She is happiest at home on Cape Cod, exploring nature and teaching at Montessori Beginnings School in Sandwich. She will always be grateful to her son, Joseph, for making her a mother and introducing her to the Montessori philosophy.
AMBER ROBERTS
ASSISTANT/EXTENDED DAY COORDINATOR
Amber was our intern for two years, while in high school. Upon graduation, she joined us part time, while attending Cape Cod Community College. The children gravitate to Amber, as she is calm, fun, respectful yet firm. Often you can find her digging in the sand with a small group of children, or reading with them when indoors. When not with us, she loves spending time with her family or friends. She hopes to work in the psychology profession.
ELLA HESTER
ASSISTANT/EXTENDED DAY
We are thrilled to have Ella as part of the team. She is a gentle, and firm presence in our classrooms. As a child, she played “school” with her dolls and that enthusiasm and passion for children shines through in her interactions with our students. She currently attends Cape Cod Community College. She hopes to one day work with children through pediatric nursing or teaching, but for now enjoys school, her family and spending time with friends.