 Faculty & Staff
Click here to see our school's organization chart.
Head of School:
 David Stettler joined Oak Meadow in the summer of 2005 as Head of School. Mr. Stettler holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Princeton University and a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. At The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where he previously worked, Mr. Stettler held numerous teaching and administrative positions including Assistant Head of Middle School, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, and Assistant Head of School. Before establishing his career as an educator, Mr. Stettler owned a firm that specialized in architectural renovations and restorations of old homes and historic buildings. Mr. Stettler serves on The Board of Directors of Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM), and The Board of Directors of The Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE).
Assistant Head of School:
 Joanna DeStefanis has been part of the Oak Meadow community since 1999, first as a parent and then as a member of the Administrative staff. She most recently served as Director of Admission. Mrs. DeStefanis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and has completed graduate course work in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has attended several Montessori teacher workshops and professional conferences related to school leadership and administration. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Mrs. DeStefanis worked in the computer software industry as a Curriculum Developer and Course Instructor. She began her career as an Admissions Counselor for North Adams State College. Mrs. DeStefanis has two children, both graduates of Oak Meadow (2003 and 2006).
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Administrative Assistant to the Head of School:
 Jeanne Atkins joined Oak Meadow in 2000 as an Administrative Assistant to the School Director. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Ms. Atkins worked in the financial services industry for many years before joining the private school sector in 1997. Ms. Atkins is a graduate of Chandler Business School, Boston.
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Learning Specialist:
 Jennifer Bitner joins Oak Meadow in a newly created position as Learning Specialist. Mrs. Bitner earned her B.S. in Psychology and her C.A.G.S. in School Psychology from Northeastern University and did further coursework and training in psychology at Tufts University. Her experience includes six years working as school psychologist at schools in Massachusetts and North Carolina. For the past five years, Mrs. Bitner has worked as a Learning Specialist at All Kinds of Minds and the Center for Student Success in Durham, North Carolina.
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School Nurse:
 Sally Blute, R.N.,
joined Oak Meadow in 2001 as a full day substitute assistant and School Nurse. For five years, Mrs. Blute was a pre-school assistant in Children’s House as well as Oak Meadow’s afternoon nurse. In 2007 Mrs. Blute became Oak Meadow’s full-time School Nurse. Mrs. Blute is a Registered Nurse licensed in Massachusetts with many years of experience in Emergency Room nursing.
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Director of Admission & Parent Relations:
 Erin Palmer joined Oak Meadow in 2006 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher and Director of Development and Parent Relations. Miss Palmer earned her Masters in Education and Early Childhood Montessori certification from Xavier University in Cincinnati. She is a certified instructor of Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom encouraging positive approaches to parenting and teaching. Miss Palmer earned her BS in Arts Administration with a dance concentration from Butler University in Indianapolis. She remains involved with the performing arts as a consultant for Center Stage Youth Theater in Westford.
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Director of Finance and Operations:
 Margaret Gebhard joined Oak Meadow as Director of Finance and Operations in September, 2008. Ms. Gebhard earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wellesley College and a MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Ms. Gebhard served as the Director of Finance & Operations at The Carroll School in Lincoln, MA; consulted to preschools, nursery schools and daycare centers; managed an affordable housing program in Arlington, MA; and was Vice President of Finance at Kurzweil Computer Systems, Inc. (later, Xerox Imaging Systems). She is a member of the National Business Officers' Association (NBOA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
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Business Office Administrator:
Peggy DiSarcina joined Oak Meadow in 1995 as Business Manager. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Mrs. DiSarcina worked as a cost accountant for a major medical company for several years, secretary for a local law firm, and as a bank teller. Mrs. DiSarcina graduated as a Dean’s List Student from Bentley College, Waltham, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. While at Bentley Mrs. DiSarcina was a member of the Women’s Volleyball Team. She is a member of the National Business Officers Association which is an organization that provides professional development and information to independent business officers.
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Director of Communications/Front Office Manager:
Susan Peyton came to Oak Meadow in 2004. Her primary responsibilities include producing the school’s electronic newsletter, e-Highlights, updating the school’s website and producing publications such as the family calendar, the Annual Report and the yearbook. She contributes to marketing programs and projects, supervises the activities of the Front Office, and assists in supporting the communication needs of the school community. Mrs. Peyton grew up in CT and received her BS in Fine Arts from Skidmore College. She and her family have lived in Groton, MA since 1981. She came to Oak Meadow with a customer support and marketing background.
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Front Office Assistant:
 Laura Dempsey joined Oak Meadow after many years as an Oak Meadow parent and substitute teacher. Mrs. Dempsey grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English. She and her husband, Mike, are both actively involved at Oak Meadow; Mr. Dempsey is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2009-2010 school year. The Dempsey Family has two Oak Meadow graduates: Rosie (2007) and Conner (2009). Caley, the third Dempsey child, is currently in the Upper Elementary program. Interests include health and fitness and scrapbooking.
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Director of Technology:
 Anna Kritselis-Howard joined Oak Meadow in 2003 as a Technology Coordinator. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Ms. Kritselis-Howard worked in the private sector for 20 years in a variety of systems-related and management level positions Ms. Kritselis-Howard graduated from West Chester University with a B.S. in Music Education and then from Northeastern University with a M.S. in Information Systems. She also provides IT consulting to various other Montessori schools, including Andover School of Montessori, Keystone and Pincushion Hill.
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Development Assistant and Event Coordinator:
 Denise McKenna joined Oak Meadow in 2009 as the Development Assistant and Event Coordinator. Her three children currently attend Oak Meadow in the UE, LE and CH programs. Denise has been an active parent at OMMS for the past two years: volunteering in the Library, working on the Parents’ Association Year End Carnival and filling in as a Substitute Teacher in Children’s House.
Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Mrs. McKenna worked in Accounting as a Controller in the private sector for over 20 years. She earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration at the University of Arizona and completed post graduate work at the University of Phoenix.
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Purchasing Manager:
 Ellen Miras, in addition to her position as a Children’s House Lead Teacher,is the Purchasing Manager for Oak Meadow. Prior to her teaching career, Ms. Miras worked as a Purchasing Manager for a small toy company in Vermont.
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Facility Manager:
 Jeffrey Nelson joined Oak Meadow in 2003 as Facilities Manager. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Mr. Nelson worked in the construction business for over 20 years. Mr. Nelson has been in business for himself since 2003, running a small construction business.
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Director of After School Programs:
 Cindy Puleo developed Oak Meadow’s After School Program in 2006. She directs the program, which provides dozens of after school enrichment classes and private music lessons for Children’s House through Middle School students. Mrs. Puleo received a B.S. in Human Development, with an emphasis in Child Development and a minor in Social Sciences, from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Seacoast Training Center and is Montessori certified (6-9). Her daughter attended Oak Meadow from Children’s House through Middle School. When not teaching, Mrs. Puleo enjoys traveling, drumming and is active in fundraising events.
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Before and After School Care Coordinator:
 Sharon McNamara joined Oak Meadow in 2000 as a Napper Care Coordinator and substitute teacher in the Children’s House Program. This year Mrs. McNamara was appointed Before and After Care Coordinator. Mrs. McNamara will also continue in her role as Children’s House Assistant in Mrs. Sieldar’s class. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow Mrs. McNamara worked as a Principal Aid for four years at Robinson School in Westford. Mrs. McNamara has completed the Assistant Overview Training at Northeast Montessori Institute. Mrs. McNamara loves to read and enjoys spending time at Cape Cod.
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Middle School Teachers:
Karen Kelley joined Oak Meadow in 1998 as a Middle School teacher. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Mrs. Kelley taught in both private and public schools for over seven years. Mrs. Kelley graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in English and Humanities, and from the University of Denver with a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate in International Relations. Mrs. Kelley has completed the NAMTA Orientation to Adolescent Studies program at the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Ohio. She attended the “Schools Attuned Program” training which helps teachers bring neurodevelopmental understanding into the classroom. In order to bring a deeper understanding of the Montessori philosophy into the Middle School program, she participated in the Early Childhood Overview this summer at the Northeast Montessori Institute. Mrs. Kelley’s two children attended Oak Meadow from ages three to twelve and four to thirteen.
 Barbara Orlowitz joined Oak Meadow in 2002 as the Middle School math and science teacher. Mrs. Orlowitz now teaches the Middle School math curriculum and is the Team Leader for the Middle School staff. She has a B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University. Mrs. Orlowitz has been tutoring middle and secondary school math for the past ten years and has taught at the Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School. Mrs. Orlowitz attended the Montessori Seacoast Center for Education in the summer of 2005 where she participated in the 9 -12 math seminars. Mrs. Orlowitz is in the midst of her training at the Washington Montessori Secondary Teachers Education Program. She is certified in the state of Massachusetts in mathematics to teach grades 5 – 8. During the summer of 2006, Mrs. Orlowitz attended a College Preparatory Mathematics seminar. She also completed “The Schools Attuned Program” by Mel Levine. Mrs. Orlowitz served as Vice–Chair of the AISNE/AMS accreditation during the 2006 – 2007 school year.
 Kirsten Wright joined Oak Meadow Montessori School in 2007 as a Middle School science teacher. She comes to Oak Meadow with 25 years of experience working with adolescents at the middle and high school levels. Ms. Wright's undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a Minor in Biology from the University of Vermont. She continues her post graduate work with the ongoing pursuit of a wide variety of study in the fields of Psychology, Education, Science and Communications. Ms. Wright's dedication to nurturing a community of considerate citizens and cultivating personal and academic growth within her students is evident in her success with connecting student learning outside of the classroom to the larger community through internships, work study and experiential learning.
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Upper Elementary Teachers:
 Becky Erwin joins Oak Meadow as an Upper Elementary teacher. Mrs. Erwin earned her Montessori Upper Elementary teaching credentials at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in 2003. She taught Upper Elementary at a Montessori school in Milton, MA for four years and served for three of those years as the Program Coordinator for the Upper Elementary program. Prior to that, Mrs. Erwin taught sixth grade for two years in Roslindale, MA. Mrs. Erwin has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Goucher College. She has a daughter joining our Children's House program.
 Julie Trani is an Upper Elementary Lead Teacher and the Upper Elementary program Team Leader. She joined Oak Meadow in 2000 as a substitute/Children’s House Teacher’s Assistant in our Children’s House and Elementary classrooms. Since that time Ms. Trani has taught at both the Lower Elementary and the Upper Elementary levels. Ms. Trani received her B.S. in advertising with a minor in English from the College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida. Ms. Trani received her Montessori Certification (6-12) through the Seacoast Montessori Training Center.
 Sarah Winn joined Oak Meadow in 2006 as an Upper Elementary Lead Teacher. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Ms. Winn taught Upper Elementary for four years at Acorn Montessori School in Lebanon, NJ. While at Acorn, Ms. Winn was responsible for developing and starting the upper elementary program. Prior to Acorn, Ms. Winn taught lower elementary for two years at Richmond Montessori School in Richmond, VA. She possesses a Master of Education from Loyola College of Maryland, an AMI elementary diploma (6-12) from Washington Montessori Institute of Loyola College, and a B.A. in history and American Studies from Dickinson College located in Carlisle, PA. In addition, Ms. Winn attended Ruffing Montessori in Cleveland, Ohio from ages three through fifth grade.
Upper Elementary Assistants:
 Parul Thakkar continues her responsibilities at Oak Meadow as an Assistant Teacher in the Upper Elementary program. She joined the Upper Elementary team during the 2007/08 school year as a temporary assistant teacher. She has worked at Oak Meadow the past as a Substitute Teacher and Lunch Assistant. Her two daughters have been students at Oak Meadow. Besides being a full time Assistant Teacher at Oak Meadow, Mrs. Thakkar is also involved with an Indian Cultural Organization and teaches an Indian language at a Sunday school. Prior to staying home with her children, she worked as an Assistant Teacher in India. Mrs. Thakkar has a Bachelor of Science degree from India and a Diploma in Computer Technology. She enjoys arts and crafts and spending time with her family.
 Rani Tremblay joined Oak Meadow in 2006 as an Upper Elementary Assistant. Prior to that she worked in the 3-6 Montessori classroom. Mrs. Tremblay has a B.A. in Psychology and Business Administration from DePaul University, and she has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resources from Northeastern University. She recently completed her 6-9 Montessori Training at the Seacoast Training Center.
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Lower Elementary Teachers:
 Suzanne Berrier helped launch the Lower Elementary program at Oak Meadow back in 1986 when Oak Meadow Montessori was originally located in Boxborough. She spent the next ten years as a Lead Teacher. After starting her family, Mrs. Berrier returned to Oak Meadow in 2000 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. She is now a Lead Teacher in the Lower Elementary program and a Co-Team Leader. Mrs. Berrier graduated from Norwich University with a B.A. in International studies, and received her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Lesley College. She is Montessori certified (6-9).
 Mary Louise Fidrych joined the Lower Elementary team in 2006. Prior to this, she served in a variety of capacities at Oak Meadow, including Middle School Humanities teacher, Upper Elementary Teacher Assistant, and Children’s House Assistant and Field Trip Coordinator. Before working at Oak Meadow, Mrs. Fidrych was employed by the Rhode Island Heritage Commission as Program Development Coordinator. She graduated from Salve Regina College with a BA in History/Political Science and Providence College, with a Masters Degree in History. Mrs. Fidrych received her Lower Elementary Certification through the Seacoast Training Center.
 Gretchen McKay started working at Oak Meadow in 2004 and became a Lead Teacher in the Lower Elementary program in September 2007. Mrs. McKay’s love of Montessori education began as a Children’s House student at Scuola Maria Montessori in Bergamo, Italy. Mrs. McKay received her Master’s Degree, specializing in Montessori Education from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA. Mrs. McKay did her undergraduate work at Wellesley College and Dartmouth College where she received her B.S. Degree in psychology and a Massachusetts Teachers Certificate (K-8). She has also received the A.M.S. Preprimary Credential (3-6 years) and the A.M.I. Montessori Diploma (6-12 years).
Cindy Puleo joined Oak Meadow in 1996 as an assistant teacher and became a Lead Teacher in Lower Elementary in 1997. Before coming to Oak Meadow, Mrs. Puleo managed a restaurant in Michigan for 8 years, worked as a counselor in a crisis center and then taught Kindergarten for several years before moving with her family to Massachusetts. Mrs. Puleo received a B.S. in Human Development, with an emphasis in Child Development and a minor in Social Sciences, from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Seacoast Training Center and is Montessori certified (6-9). Her daughter attended Oak Meadow from Children’s House through Middle School. When not teaching, Mrs. Puleo enjoys traveling, drumming and is active in fundraising events. She is also the Director of Oak Meadow’s After School Programs.
 Elisabeth Wise joined Oak Meadow in 2005 as a Lower Elementary Lead Teacher. Her Montessori experience began when she was a child at a Montessori school from ages 3 to 12. Ms. Wise is originally from Cincinnati, OH where she received her Bachelor of Science in Montessori Elementary Education with a minor in Theatre Arts at Xavier University. After graduating, she relocated to London and taught at a Montessori school for three years. Ms. Wise developed and implemented an elementary drama program for Montessori schools which has been offered as an after school program at OMMS. Ms. Wise completed her Upper Elementary training in Colorado at M.E.C.R. in 2005.
Lower Elementary Assistant:
 Michele Strobel joined Oak Meadow’s Lower Elementary team in 2006 as an Assistant Teacher. This year she will also be a Co-Team Leader for the Lower Elementary program. Prior to 2006, Mrs. Strobel was an Assistant Teacher in the Children’s House program at Oak Meadow for seven years. She is completing her Montessori Elementary I (6-9) training at Seacoast Training Center. She graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in Government/Political Science. Mrs. Strobel enjoys camping and other outdoor activities with her family. Her son, Christian, attended Oak Meadow for 10 years and graduated in 2009.
Leila Wendler joined Oak Meadow at the beginning of the 2009 school year as an Assistant Teacher in the Lower Elementary Program. She will also be in working with the Children’s House nappers in the afternoon. She gained her experience working with children through coaching, teaching, and volunteer opportunities. Ms. Wendler graduated from Skidmore College with a bachelors degree in Social Work and a minor in Early Childhood Education. She plans to obtain a graduate degree in Social Work in the future.
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Children’s House Teachers:
 Beth Bayfield joined Oak Meadow in 2007 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. She is originally from Columbus, OH. Mrs. Bayfield received her Bachelor of Science in Montessori Early Childhood Education and AMS certification from Xavier University in 1998. She has taught in Montessori programs in Cincinnati, Columbus and Charlottesville, VA. She served on the board of the Cincinnati Montessori Society prior to moving to Columbus. She enjoys sharing her passion for nature and the environment with children. She has worked at Drumlin Farm as a Teacher Naturalist/Camp Counselor during summer vacation. Mrs. Bayfield is a past presenter at the American Montessori Society National Conference, as well as the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts annual conference. She has also served as a Team Member for an AISNE Accreditation visit to another local Montessori school.
 Suzannah Coughlan joined Oak Meadow in 2001 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. She attended McGill University in Montreal and received her AMI certification from the Toronto Montessori Institute. Ms. Coughlan had the privilege of being trained by Renilde Montessori, granddaughter of Maria Montessori. She taught in Montessori schools for 15 years in Toronto, prior to moving to New England. Ms.Coughlan was involved with the Toronto Montessori Institute for several years assisting in the examination of student teachers and serving on panel discussions. She held the position of Primary Administrative Assistant for five years at her last school in Toronto and she has been the Children’s House Team Leader at Oak Meadow since 2004.
 Elizabeth Hickey joined Oak Meadow in 2004 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Mrs. Hickey was a Montessori teacher in Maryland. Previous to training in Montessori education, Mrs. Hickey was a founder and Coordinator of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland College Park, working on Environmental issues. Mrs. Hickey worked for ten years in the commercial and investment banking industry in New York and Chicago. Mrs. Hickey received the Master of Public Management Degree from the University of Maryland College Park and a B.S. Degree in economics from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. Mrs. Hickey completed her American Montessori Society Early Childhood training with the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies at the Barrie School in Maryland. Mrs. Hickey has completed the "Schools Attuned Program" from All Kinds of Minds, a nonprofit institute for the understanding of differences in learning.
 Shuyee Huang joined Oak Meadow in 2001 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. Mrs. Huang has two children who attended Stoneybrook Montessori School and had Ms. Miras for a teacher. Mrs. Huang first became interested in Montessori education when she volunteered in her daughter’s classroom. Since then she has gone on to complete her Montessori training and received her Montessori certification in 2001. Mrs. Huang enjoys teaching and has held various teaching positions for over ten years including Assistant Teacher at Oak Meadow from 1998-1999. She also loves music and cooking in her leisure time. Mrs. Huang earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tamkang University, Taiwan.
Ellen Miras became interested in Montessori education after enrolling her own children in Montessori schools. She joined Oak Meadow in 1996 as a Children’s House Lead Teacher. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow, Ms. Miras taught in Montessori schools in Vermont and Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in French. She received her Montessori Certification from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. In 2005, Ms. Miras started a summer camp program for Children’s House students. In addition to her love of teaching, she also enjoys gardening, music and reading.
 Donna Siedlar joined Oak Meadow in 2001 as the After School Care teacher. She re-joined Oak Meadow in 2003 as a Children’s House Teacher’s Assistant and After School Care teacher. In the spring of 2004 Mrs. Siedlar was appointed Lead Teacher in the Children’s House Program. Since 2005 Mrs. Siedlar has helped to coordinate and participate in the summer camp program offered at Oak Meadow. Previous Montessori experience has included working as a Montessori Toddler teacher at Concord Montessori and working as an assistant at Stoneybrook Montessori. She graduated from Endicott Junior College and Salem State College and has completed her course work at Northeast Montessori Institute to obtain her Montessori Certification (3-6). Besides teaching, Mrs. Siedlar enjoys plants, animals and cooking.
Children’s House Teacher Assistants:
 Elisabeth Anderson joined Oak Meadow in 2006 as a Children's House Teacher's Assistant. Mrs. Anderson is the Children’s House Assistant in Mrs. Huang’s P.M. class. This year she will also man the Front Office during the After School Care hours. Mrs. Anderson taught preschool for five years at a private school in Lexington, MA and she homeschooled her two children for twelve years. She attended New Mexico State University where she studied horticulture and home economics.
 Richelle Dupont has worked as a Children’s House Assistant at Oak Meadow for the past two years. She is currently enrolled in the teacher certification program at the Northeast Montessori Institute. Ms. Dupont also volunteers after school as a Girl Scout leader. A former professional modern dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher, Ms. Dupont holds a B.A. in psychology from Boston University. Outside of school, Ms. Dupont enjoys scrapbooking the adventures of her two children, cycling throughout New England, and swimming in local pools, lakes and ponds.
 Noelle Durda joined Oak Meadow in 2007 as a Children’s House Assistant in Ms. Coughlan’s classroom. Ms. Durda was a Lead Teacher at The Needham Children’s Center for the past two years. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Developmental Psychology from Framingham State College. She enjoys reading and spending time with her dog.
Sharon McNamara joined Oak Meadow in 2000 as a Napper Care Coordinator and substitute teacher in the Children’s House Program. This year Mrs. McNamara was appointed Before and After Care Coordinator. Mrs. McNamara will also continue in her role as Children’s House Assistant in Mrs. Sieldar’s class. Prior to coming to Oak Meadow Mrs. McNamara worked as a Principal Aid for four years at Robinson School in Westford. Mrs. McNamara has completed the Assistant Overview Training at Northeast Montessori Institute. Mrs. McNamara loves to read and enjoys spending time at Cape Cod.
 Kristen Seib joined Oak Meadow in 2008 as a Children's House Assistant in Mrs. Hickey's classroom. She has worked for the past three years as a Substitute Teacher and Lunch Assistant in the Children's House, Lower and Upper Elementary programs. Prior to staying home with her children, she worked in the financial services industry for 13 years. Mrs. Seib has a B.S. from Babson College with majors in Accounting Information Systems and Quantitative Methods. She enjoys skiing, biking and hiking with her family.
 Patti Spawn joined Oak Meadow in 1998 as a Children’s House Teacher’s Assistant. Mrs. Spawn will be returning as Children’s House Assistant in Ms. Miras’ A.M. class. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Mrs. Spawn was an assistant in Montessori classrooms in Chelmsford and Amherst, MA. She has two daughters, one of whom graduated from Oak Meadow and is currently attending Brown University.
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Teachers of Special Subjects:
 Catherine Karp joined Oak Meadow in 2002 as an Art Teacher. Mrs. Karp earned a B.A. from Kenyon College in Art and Art History and a M. Ed. from Lesley College in Elementary Education. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Mrs. Karp taught as a classroom teacher and art teacher for 10 years in both public and private schools and has worked in the advertising and graphic design business. Catherine and her family spent the 2008-2009 school year in Costa Rica where her husband was on sabbatical from Lawrence Academy.
 Señora Vivian Quiroga Klein joins Oak Meadow as Spanish teacher for Upper Elementary and Middle School. Sra. Quiroga is a native of Bolivia. She served as head of the foreign language program at a Montessori school in Natick, Massachusetts for eleven years where she taught Spanish to all students from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and Latin to grades six through eight. Sra. Quiroga earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Language and Literature from Boston College. Sra. Quiroga studied in Galicia, Spain in 2002 on scholarship from the Embassy of Spain and was an invited speaker at a poetry colloquium in Havana, Cuba in 2006. Sra. Quiroga enjoys cooking, folk dance, and traditional music and incorporates these interests into her teaching.
 Deb Larson joined Oak Meadow in 2000 as a Physical Education and After School Program Teacher. Ms. Larson attended Adelphi University in Long Island, NY on a full athletic scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education. Prior to joining Oak Meadow, Ms. Larson taught physical education in the Connecticut school system along with coaching three sports at both the high school and collegiate level.
 Stephen Pixley, Oak Meadow’s new Music Teacher, is a singer, pianist, ethnomusicologist, composer, conductor and brass player. He has had solo vocal appearances at Jordan Hall, Trinity Church at Copley Square, M.I.T., the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Tsai Performing Arts Center. As an ethnomusicologist, he has trained in Jewish vocal music and on traditional instruments from Thailand, Japan and South India. Mr. Pixley has most recently served as Executive Director of the New School of Music in Cambridge, and previously been an administrator at New England Conservatory of Music, Handel & Haydn Society, Brookline Music School, and other local arts organizations. Previous teaching posts include The Country Day School, Wesleyan University, and as an English teacher in Thailand. Mr. Pixley has a B.A. from Vassar College, a M.M. from New England Conservatory, and a M.A. from Wesleyan University. He leads a professional Klezmer group in Brookline, and is currently working on a CD of original songs in a mixed classical and jazz style set to poems by Rainer Maria Rilke.
 Claudia Shoemaker joined Oak Meadow in 2005 as the Children’s House Spanish teacher. In 2007, Mrs. Shoemaker took on the additional responsibilities of teaching Lower Elementary Spanish as well as working as an afternoon Assistant in Mrs. Hickey’s classroom. This year Señora Shoemaker will continue to be the Children’s House and Lower Elementary Spanish teacher and Children’s House Lunch/Recess Helper. Claudia Shoemaker is from Bogota, Colombia, where she attended a bilingual school. Since 1989, she has lived in the United States, working with children of all ages, teaching Spanish, English and arts. Claudia has worked at the L.A.W. Elementary School in Shirley, MA teaching Spanish from pre-school through fifth grade and she has also held her own after school Spanish program at the Hazen Memorial Library in Shirley.
 Wendy Stuart joined Oak Meadow in 2004 as the Middle School drama teacher. Mrs. Stuart teaches drama to Lower Elementary second years up to the Middle School students. Ms. Stuart studied acting with Sandy Meisner and at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. She has directed Shakespeare at the Fayerweather Street School for the past seven years, as well as directing numerous productions at other private and public schools.
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