Elementary Faculty
Head Teachers
Jemma Helliker
Kristen Moore
After assisting with Gladwyne Montessori’s Young Explorers Camp during college, Kristen fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and decided to pursue education as a career. At Bucknell University, she studied Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Spanish, having then attained her Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate and gaining experience working in both the Primary and Elementary departments at Gladwyne Montessori. This summer, Kristen completed her elementary Montessori credential from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, practicing yoga and relaxing at the beach.
Cammy Russell
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.
Teaching Assistants
Sonja Shivpuri
Sonja moved to Pennsylvania from Connecticut in September of 2017. Her children have been in Montessori schools since they were 2 years old and she wanted them to continue their Montessori elementary education here in Pennsylvania. Sonja and her husband found Gladwyne Montessori through the AMS website and have been thrilled with both the community and the school since they arrived. In her free time, Sonja enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking and baking, spending time with friends, and traveling.
Andrew Siegele
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!
