Faculty & Staff Directory
Our entire staff focuses on your child as a person. Montessori teachers are facilitators, mentors, and coaches who nurture a student’s potential and encourage him or her to explore, investigate, and discover. We are proud to have some of the region’s top educators guiding our students through their journey toward a lifelong love of learning. Our teachers are highly qualified, fully credentialed, and dedicated to the success of each individual student.
Bella Galantino
Bella joined the Gladwyne Montessori family because she believes in its encouraging and open environment that truly fosters the importance of children's education and well-being. She joined our community in the 2017-2018 school year, and looks forward to continuing her journey at this special school! In her free time, Bella enjoys practicing yoga, socializing with friends, traveling, spending summers in Ocean City, NJ, and walking her golden-doodle Fettuccini.
Jonathan Howells
M.Ed, Xavier University
AMS 6-12 Certification, American Montessori Society
Jonathan started at Gladwyne Montessori in March of 2023 as a long-term substitute for the Chrysanthemum classroom. He holds a Masters in Montessori Education and a Bachelor's in Modern Languages from Xavier University, as well as a certification from Mindful Schools. He is a seasoned AMS certified (Elementary I & II) teacher who has over 15 years of experience as a Lead Teacher in various Montessori schools around the globe, including Chiaraville Montessori School in Evanston, Illinois, where he not only taught Upper Elementary students, but also developed and taught their Spanish curriculum for grades K-8, as well as City Country Montessori in Madrid, Spain, and most recently, at Turtle River Montessori in Jupiter, Florida. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys talking with friends, reading fiction, and walking with his 6 year old rescue dog through parks and the neighborhood.
Jo Anne Johns
M.Ed. In Reading, Bloomsburg University
American Montessori Society Primary Teacher Certification, Center for Montessori Teacher Education at the College of New Rochelle
Reading Specialist, PA Certification Level II, Bloomsburg University
Jo Anne truly enjoys working with elementary students of diverse literacy skill, from those who learn differently to the gifted. By teaching literacy across content areas, she has the ability to encourage her students to take ownership of their literacy learning, aiding their acquisition of effective strategies and developing a life-long love for reading and writing. In her spare time, Jo Anne enjoys reading (of course!), traveling, and visiting with friends!
Andrea Kasper
M.A. in Elementary Education, Cabrini University
Certification in Special Education, West Chester University
Certification as Wilson Dyslexia Therapist, Wilson Language Academy
Certification as Reading Specialist, Wilkes University
Andrea is thrilled to support Gladwyne Montessori students’ on-going development as readers and writers! After a 30+ year career that encompassed elementary teaching, special education, Title 1 reading, and 1-1 tutoring, Andrea finds satisfaction in working with both students and teachers. Andrea loves teaching children the strategies and mechanics of reading, comprehension, and writing, as well as witnessing her students blossoming as independent learners. In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her husband and their mischievous feline children, Shady and Sparky. Of course, reading is one of Andrea's favorite pastimes, but she happily makes room for traveling, getting together with family and friends, and gardening.
Cara Kenny
M.A. in Education with Montessori Certification, Chestnut Hill College
After graduating with a degree in Journalism, Cara felt that reporting wasn't exactly what she wanted to do, so she started nannying and working at a pre-school, where she realized teaching was her calling. She decided to go back to school to earn her Masters in Early Education, where she found and fell in love with Montessori! The children bring so much joy to her life and now she truly values her career as a teacher! In her free time, Cara enjoys spending time with family, painting, hiking/exploring, cooking, going to the beach, and traveling to National Parks. She also really enjoys music and has played the flute, clarinet, piano, and taught herself to play guitar too!
Anne Marie Kochersperger
Anne Marie was very excited to join the amazing team of dedicated administrators and educators at Gladwyne Montessori. Being both a mother and grandmother, Anne Marie knows how important early education is to create independent, creative, and confident students and strongly believes in the Gladwyne Montessori mission. Anne Marie enjoys spending her free time with her children and grandchildren, as well as spending time reading, relaxing at the beach, kayaking, hiking and being outdoors.
Paul Komorowski
PA Teaching Certification K-12
Paul joined the Gladwyne Montessori community in 1994 after having served as a Program Director for the YMCA. He played baseball collegiately and has stayed active in the sport by coaching at three different high schools during his career. He currently teaches baseball at numerous camps and clinics in the area. Paul enjoys spending his free time with his family.
Mwazhuwa Kuretu
Ann Lange
Ann joined Gladwyne Montessori in 1989 and continues being the first face you see as you enter the building, because she believes the faculty and staff are warm and inviting and the children bring her joy. Ann likes to spend her free time with her family. They all enjoy camping and fishing together. She also enjoys yoga, shopping, and working outside around the house.
Jemma Lloyd-Helliker
M.A. in Secondary Education, Chestnut Hill College
AMI Primary Assistant Teaching Certification, Maria Montessori Institute
MACTE Elementary 6 - 12 Montessori Teaching Certification, Center for Guided Montessori Studies
Jemma taught in public and charter schools for five years before the birth of her daughter. She knew teaching was her passion, but the traditional teaching model was not meeting the needs of the children in her classes. She discovered Montessori as a new mother and has not looked back. Jemma believes, "Learning in a Montessori environment is joyful and inspiring because the philosophy begins and ends with the natural development of our children. In this environment, it is a joy to guide the children to new learning and experiences." Jemma enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and canoeing with her family. When indoors, she loves to knit, write, draw, and read. She tries to practice yoga daily and swims whenever she can.