About Greene Towne School
Faculty & Staff
We are excited to introduce our staff at Greene Towne School, a Montessori school serving 128 toddler and primary students with 32 faculty and staff members. Our teachers know that they make a difference. All lead teachers hold Montessori certifications from the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the American Montessori International (AMI). With over a century of experience among them, teachers, assistants, specialists and administration focus on our mission—to provide a Montessori environment, to develop each child’s full human potential and to meet the diverse needs of our families. Assisting your child to step into the future is our business.
Lead Toddler Teacher Paige Mackey Gottesman
Before coming to GTS, Paige worked for two years as a toddler assistant, spent two years working with newborn-18 month olds, and eight years as a toddler teacher. She was Montessori trained in Birth to Three years in Boulder, Colorado from MECR.
Paige enjoys reading, going to restaurants, and listening to music-alternative 80’s! Her favorite authors are David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs.
Lead Toddler Teacher Christina Laramee
Christina has been a member of the Greene Towne Toddler team since we initiated the program in the fall of 2002. She received her Montessori training at the Princeton Center for Education. All of Christina’s children have spent some time in Montessori programs.
Christina’s favorite activities are times spent with her children, going to museums, day trips around the Philadelphia area, and going to concerts. She loves 80’s British alternative music and varied children’s cultural music.
Toddler Assistant Desiree Austin
Desiree has been working with children for several years, and has been with Greene Towne’s Toddler program for two years. Her son will be a graduate this year from the Primary program. Desiree likes all kinds of music, and loves perfume.
Toddler Assistant Patty Bebee
Patty has a BA in Literature, and completed the Montessori Teaching Assistant Program at Chestnut Hill College. Previously she worked as a Pre-K Teaching Assistant at the Russell Byers Charter School.
In her free time, Patty enjoys painting, reading, and “turtle” jogging. Patty was born in Pittsburgh but grew up in Wildwood, NJ. She says that if she could live anywhere in the world it would be there...after all, it’s home!
Patty loves all kinds of music— Beatles, blues, reggae, Cold Play, Patsy Cline, and Jack Johnson.
Toddler Assistant Tychelle Graham
Tychelle will be a teaching assistant with the toddlers. She is currently attending Temple University where she is studying for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her favorite foods are broccoli and pasta.
Toddler Lead Afternoon Assistant Heather Sundquist
Heather is teaching the Art Program this year and will also be working with the toddlers. She graduated from Moore College of Art and Design in May 2007 where she specialized in silk screen printmaking and mixed media.
Assistant Teacher Jen Tullai
Jen is the Afternoon Teaching Assistant with Rose in the toddler classroom. She is currently in college, and loves all kinds of music from R&B to rap to rock!
Assistant Teacher Erin Buonadonna
Erin (formerly Ms. Howell) is the Teaching Assistant in the primary class to Ms. Yang. Mrs. Buonadonna loves movies and music, from alternative and rock, to the oldies and classic rock!
Lead Teacher Jennifer Coulter
Jennifer received her Bachelor’s in Teaching at Drexel University and her Montessori training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Before coming to Greene Towne, Jen taught at the elementary level.
Jennifer was born in Wilmington, DE and spent 4 years in Geneva, Switzerland as a young child before her family returned to the states to live in West Chester, PA. Jennifer loves the outdoors, biking, running, and spending time with family and friends.
Lead Afternoon Teacher Neepa Dhar
Neepa has been with Greene Towne for three years. She is Montessori certified and was the lead teacher in the All Day Montessori program for two years. This year, she is the full time lead substitute teacher in Ms. Yang’s classroom for the first semester.
Assistant Teacher Justin Donner
Justin is a teaching assistant working with Jessica McDowell in the afternoon. In his free time he enjoys cycling, skateboarding, juggling and loud music.
Lead Teacher Michelle Erwin
Michelle joined us after completing the training program at Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Michelle grew up in central New Jersey and is herself a graduate of Princeton Montessori School’s infant through 5th grade program. Before entering the Montessori Teacher training PCTE, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Communications at Duquesne University.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys swimming and loves all kinds of music!
Assistant Teacher Gina Kalesse
Gina has been a Teaching Assistant in the primary program at Greene Towne School for 15 years! She has been married to Ed Kalesse for 22 years and has two lovely daughters.
Assistant Teacher Danielle Klaiman
Danielle graduated from Chestnut Hill College, where she studied Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Montessori Education. In her free time, Danielle loves to read, write, and is a photographer specializing in black and white photography. She also loves to go to the movies, explore restaurants, and buy music— she is into hip-hop, reggae, jazz, and classical.
Lead Afternoon Teacher Jessica McDowell
Jessica is a lead teacher in the afternoon program. She is AMS certified for the primary age group, and graduated from Temple University with a BA in Psychology. Jessica is a singer and musician. She also enjoys yoga, crochet and the outdoors.
Assistant Teacher Brandon Och
Brandon is a teaching assistant with Carolyn Barschow in the afternoon. Brandon went to Temple University where he studied Philosophy. He is a talented musician who plays out in the city as often as possible.
Lead Teacher Jean Prestas
This year marks Jean’s 20th year teaching at Greene Towne School! Jean had a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Ed. before receiving her Montessori certification at Chestnut Hill College. Jean formerly taught in Ohio and at Friends Child Care Center. Jean has a busy life outside of school with her daughter, Tuyet, and husband, Eric. Jean and her family enjoy Folk, Classical and Jazz and attend the Philadelphia Folk Festival every summer.
Lead Teacher Kathy Yang
Kathy was born in Taiwan and grew up in Canada. She has a BA in Economics from the University of Toronto and completed the AMI Montessori training in Vancouver, BC. Currently Kathy is pursuing a Master’s in Special Ed at Cabrini College and enjoying being a new mom! Kathy is entering her 7th year at GTS and plans to visit Africa and Tibet.