Alumni Spotlight

John Felicetti, currently working in New York City's world of high-end residential development, found his way to Gladwyne Montessori because of his parents' belief that "community and school shape a young person’s life." Teachers' inspiration and a profound connection to the work and philosophy shaped John then and have continued to resurface ever since. 

With a career that spreads vastly over the field of law, Stephanie Rigterink Siko began her schooling at Gladwyne Montessori; now, each of her four children have attended or currently attend our school. Stephanie reminisces about the school's curricular emphasis on order and decision-making, skills she witnesses in her own children today.  

Both presently in undergraduate programs at Cornell, siblings Scottie and Lily Zelov spent a combined eighteen years at Gladwyne Montessori and joined to reflect on their experience at our school. They speak fondly of the teachers and an educational philosophy, each having left lasting impressions on them! 

One part health scientist, another part writer, alumni Peter Doshi regards Gladwyne Montessori's authentic, qualitative approach to learning, mixed-age classrooms, and teachers—or "stewards of learning"—as paramount to his development. He states, "My Montessori education left me with initiative and independence, nurtured through the kind encouragement of my teachers."

Optimizing the entire Gladwyne Montessori journey, Sean Savett began as a toddler and remained all the way through 6th grade. Presently working as Senator Duckworth's Press Secretary, Sean reflects on learning skills at Gladwyne Montessori, such as writing, where he received the direction yet also the freedom to develop as a student. He now uses communication to politically reach others, saying "if you can't explain something effectively, people won't support [change]."