Faculty & Staff

Born and raised in Providence, Claire’s experience with Montessori education began at a young age. She is the daughter of MCH’s founder, and attended MCH as a child. Her formal Montessori training began in 2003, when she started her teacher training for an AMS Early Childhood credential. She taught in our Primary classroom for several years, before moving into school administration, where she focused on parent communication, curriculum, admissions and outreach. After working as Assistant Head of School at a private Montessori school in Brooklyn for several years, Claire is excited to be part of MCH’s team once again. Claire holds an Ed. M. in Anthropology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, an M.A. from St. Catherine University in Montessori Education and a B.F.A from RISD.

Claire is a lifelong learner, and passionate about MCH’s future and the school community.

Diaritssa comes to us with several years of experience working in HR, logistics and finance at Rhode Island companies. Diaritssa received her Associates in Arts from the Community College of Rhode Island and is currently working towards her Bachelors in Business Management. In her free time, Diaritssa enjoys spending time with her husband and son.  

Alice received her AMS Administrator Credential from the Center of Montessori Education New York in 2021. She is responsible for MCH’s admissions, marketing and outreach. As daughter of MCH founder Mary Jane O’Neill, Providence native and MCH alum, Alice is committed to the school’s bright future. Alice has been a substitute teacher and Primary Classroom Assistant at MCH and also spent six years on the MCH Board of Directors. Previously Alice was an Adjunct Lecturer at the Community College of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island School of Design.  Alice received an M.F.A from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. from the University of Brighton, in the United Kingdom, and a B.F.A. from RISD.

Emily has been working with children professionally for the last 4 years in traditional and Emilia Reggio based curriculums. Prior to that, she attended nursing school. Emily completed her clinical internship at multiple hospitals throughout Rhode Island, including Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Emily has also taken courses in child psychology as well as child development. Emily was drawn to the Montessori Method for its focus on nurturing the child’s innate desire to learn and foster one’s independence. Every day Emily discovers something new from our youngest friends. Above all, Emily is the proud mother of a brilliant daughter. In her free time, Emily enjoys going on walks, reading, and cooking with her daughter.

Shannon was born and raised in Rhode Island. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhode Island College in 2020. After graduation, she was presented with an opportunity to train as an assistant teacher in a Montessori toddler program. Shannon fell in love with the Montessori teaching philosophy and has remained working in the field of early childhood education ever since. She is passionate about instilling each child with confidence so that they can blossom in the peace of the Montessori classroom. She encourages curiosity and hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning in students. In her free time Shannon is working on her Master’s degree, enjoys practicing yoga, and visiting museums.

Originally from Randolph, MA, Stacey was introduced to Montessori education in 2003 when her mother was an administrator at an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) school in Quincy, MA. It was there that Stacey completed her high school senior internship and went on to work as a summer assistant, substitute, and eventually a primary guide. She received her AMI Primary Diploma through Washington Montessori Institute, along with her Master’s of Education from Loyola University Maryland. She also holds a BA of Science in Social Work through Bridgewater State University. Stacey values the hands-on approach to learning and the whole child development of the Montessori philosophy. She observes in children how capable they are as they develop independence, self-esteem, and confidence. Stacey enjoys traveling internationally, yoga, Pilates, reading, and meditation.

Sandhya holds an M.Ed in Early Education with a concentration in Montessori from Gordon College, Wenham, MA. She also holds a graduate degree in Business Administration, which she received while still residing in India. Sandhya received her Primary diploma from American Montessori Society (AMS) through  Northeast Montessori Institute, and has worked in Montessori education since 2014. She is certified Positive Discipline Early Childhood Educator and is accredited in Acadience diagnostic reading assessments (DIBELS). In her spare time, Sandhya runs a cooking business where she is the cooking instructor to both children and adults. She also loves crocheting, needlework, bird watching, and spending time with her family, including her two children.

Caroline is a 2024 AMS Early Childhood (3-6) Credential Candidate from West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program. Caroline has a BA in English/Creative Writing from Bates College and loves to read new and diverse fiction books to children. Previously, Caroline was a Teacher Assistant and Summer Camp Counselor at Vineyard Montessori School on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Her plans for the future include working in the school system with LGBTQ+ youth and obtaining a Master’s degree in education or school counseling. In her free time, she loves to bake cookies and cakes, cuddle baby farm animals, and walk on the beach.

Annu is a passionate Montessori educator hailing from Malaysia. She is the proud mother of three grown sons. In 2011, Annu made a career change from finance and accountancy to Montessori education. Annu taught primary aged children for four and a half years in both Malaysia and Canada. After that, Annu moved on to teach older children as a personal educator specializing in IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education UK) in Math and English subjects for children aged between 6 to 13 years from 2018 to 2023. Annu is completing her final phase of her Lower Elementary Practicum with West Side Montessori School (New York) before graduating in May 2024. This past year, Annu has been working at Cambridge Montessori School in their Lower Elementary classroom.

Hailing from Washington, D.C., Mary Olive received her AMI Elementary 6-12 Diploma from The Washington Montessori Institute. Mary Olive holds a Masters in Education degree from Loyola University of Maryland with a concentration in Montessori Studies. Mary Olive is a hard working, vivacious, and talented educator. She is in her 11th year of teaching and she enjoys learning and helping students grow. In her free time she loves learning languages and ballroom dancing. Having taught 4-6th grade for the last three years she is excited about her new role both in and outside of the classroom.

Almu is from Madrid, Spain. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy before moving to the United States in 2015. Her passion is to help others to achieve their goals, and has done that through being an Occupational Therapist, career coach and Spanish teacher for more than 15 years. Due to her experience, she can perfectly understand the challenges of learning a new language as well as the importance of being able to communicate with people from other parts of the world. Almu is especially passionate about working with kids, and immersing them in Spanish language, culture, and traditions, especially at a young age. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her adorable son. Almu also loves meditation and dancing.

Angela is a dance artist, teacher, and fitness instructor based in Providence. After training in classical ballet as a student, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Roger Williams University. For the past five years, she has taught dance in various schools across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as kickboxing and fitness classes for children and adults. Angela continues to create and share her own work in various spaces throughout New England, striving to use movement as a medium to portray the human spirit and stories of people who have inspired her. Angela is passionate about helping students find joy and their own individual voice in dancing and movement, and is elated to begin teaching at Montessori Children’s House this year!

Denis is an artist who has taught art to children in a variety of settings. She is the author
and/or illustrator of numerous children’s books including two instructional books on making art
(Loo-Loo, Boo and Art You Can Do and Art Around the World). In addition to attending Parsons
School of Design, Denis has an MA in Art History and an MFA in writing. Denis is also the mother
of four daughters, three of whom attended MCH in their early years. Visit Denis’s website
Denisroche.com or find her on Instagram @denisrochedraws.