Back to School Night
Register for Back to School Night on October 1!
Elementary Faculty
Head Teachers
Jemma Lloyd-Helliker
Elementary Lead Teacher, Elementary Department Coordinator
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 swim whenever she can.
Cammy Russell
Elementary Lead Teacher
Cammy discovered Montessori education shortly after graduating from college and was instantly hooked! For 14 years she taught Lower Elementary, mostly in and around Washington, D.C. When she and her family prepared to move to the Greater Philadelphia area, she visited several Montessori schools looking to find the right fit for her and her daughters. While visiting Gladwyne, she was struck by the beauty of facilities, the warmth of the staff, and the authenticity of the Montessori program. She had found what she was looking for! In her free time, Cammy enjoys gardening, yoga, and handwork of all varieties.
Audra Walsh
Elementary Lead Teacher
Audra has been a credentialed Montessori teacher since 2003, serving at three different independent and charter schools. She first discovered the Montessori Method in Park City, Utah, where she taught early childhood. After returning to Pennsylvania with her husband and first child, she sought a school that was accredited by the American Montessori Society. With its rich history and strong Montessori values, she knew immediately that Gladwyne was the perfect community for her and her young family. Since then, Audra’s three children have attended Gladwyne through the elementary years. From 2016 - 2019, Audra also served as Director of Admissions for Gladwyne Montessori. She then returned to training and received her lower elementary credential from the American Montessori Society. In her free time, Audra enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, camping, baking, browsing antique shops, spending time with her family and pets and a good science fiction film!
Teaching Assistants
Donna Arronson
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Donna was first introduced to Gladwyne Montessori as a parent. All four of her children attended the school over the span of 14 years. Donna began working at Gladwyne Montessori in 2008 and has served in the Primary, Toddler, and La Casa programs. In addition to these years of experience, Donna completed an assistant training program in the summer of 2018 at the Princeton Montessori Training Center. When Donna is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach in Margate, New Jersey for the summer, traveling, cooking, reading, and sports.
Rajashree Setlur
Elementary Teaching Assistant
After having worked in the corporate world specifically in customer relations and banking roles, Raj decided it was time for a career change. She was always interested in shaping young people's lives and having previously volunteered her time in a Montessori school in Boston several years ago, she decided it was time to make that career change. Raj found herself fitting into Gladwyne Montessori's culture and its ethical work environment extremely well. The focus on enriching the student's lives with all the necessary foundational skills was exactly what she was looking for in a rewarding career. She looks forward to many more years of being a part of the students' lives and contributing to their development and well being. In her free time, you can find Raj relaxing at home listening to music, reading, cooking up new recipes, baking, painting, etc. She loves to spend time traveling with her family exploring new places, sights, and cultures. She also enjoys practicing yoga and meditation.
Andrew Siegele
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Andrew has always loved to learn and help others learn, too. When he and his wife first visited Gladwyne Montessori School, they saw this same passion for learning and helping others learn permeating the school; it felt like home. They have enjoyed seeing their children, Marley and Xavier, develop, create, socialize and get excited about school and the learning process. Andrew has been teaching yoga for almost a decade, and teaching science for several years. No matter the subject, he believes all learning follows a similar process: within loving structure and collaboratively created boundaries, freedom and independence allow us to find our unique voice, self-expression, creative power, and joy in process. In his free time, Andrew enjoys hiking, camping, dancing, singing, biking, playing sports, reading, and writing. He also enjoys simply being: getting absorbed in nature while taking in the sights and sounds, practicing yoga and meditation, being with his wife, kids, family and friends. It is a joy to be and to do. What a life to explore!
Dan Stearne
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Dan joined Gladwyne Montessori in 1995 and worked as an assistant to Maggie Dougherty until 1998. After student teaching in the fall of 1999, Dan transitioned to long term substituting in the Upper Elementary classroom until June of 2000. After several years working in the Camden School District, Dan returned to Gladwyne Montessori in 2004. Because of his love for working in this environment with the students and families as well as colleagues, Dan has been here ever since. In his spare time, Dan loves to spend time outdoors with his family at the beach. He likes surfing, playing various sports including softball and basketball. He is a Philadelphia sports enthusiast and Eagles season ticket holder. He also enjoys photography.