Infant / Nido
Gabrielle Taylor
Infant Lead Guide
I hold an AMI 0-3 Diploma from the Montessori Training Center North East (MTCNE). I have worked at the Bovina Center Montessori School since 2021, first as a Toddler Lead and now as our Infant Lead. I love the Montessori method and pedagogy!
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I have a BA in education, I have taught children in gymnastics, I have given swim lessons (I'm a WSI and a lifeguard), taught children to read, babysat local kids, and worked in countless classrooms, including as a cooking teacher at Manhattan Country Day School in Roxbury.
I live with my husband and our two young daughters in Andes, along with two dogs and two cats.
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I have lived in the Catskills my whole life. My mom raised us on a hobby farm with 3 acres and plenty of land to run around on. That's where my love of being outside started.
Animals are also a big passion of mine. Some of my hobbies include spinning, knitting, weaving, and rug hooking. I have spent my entire life working with children.
I have truly found my dream job in guiding all of our littlest ones and love working at Bovina Montessori!
Becky Manning
Infant Assistant Guide
I have lived in Bovina Center on and off for more than 26 years. I have a Bachelor Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Gordon College in Wenham Mass. I got married at Suits us Farm, the same property that is now Bovina Montessori School. If you drive through Bovina Center on any given day you may see me out walking up and down the road.
I have enjoyed working with youth throughout the years. My first job in Delaware County was working at DC-4 the local day care center as the school age afterschool program leader. I then shifted focus to work for Berkshire Farm Services and Center for Youth, with at risk children in Delaware County, which led to me becoming a caseworker. I moved away from Delaware County for a period of time to work as a professional Girl Scout in Ulster and Albany Counties. Moving back, I became an adjunct professor at SUNY Delhi for the Sports and Recreation Department and worked as the Camp Director of Camp Shankitunk in the summers. I then had the opportunity to work at the Catskill Recreation Center for eight years as their Executive Director.
Through all of these positions my focus has been on helping to advance youth development through educational and recreational activities. I believe that all children hold intelligences that they can build on and utilize to make the community and the world around them a better place. I am happy to be part of The Bovina Center Montessori School and helping the next generation of youth here!
Annemarie Neary
Daycare Assistant Guide
& Learning Specialist
I earned my MS degree in Special Education and a BA degree in English/Journalism at SUNY New Paltz. I am excited to complete my Orton-Gillingham Training through the Reading Center, Dyslexia Institute of MN this 2025.
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I grew up in Candor, NY on a small farm. I have two adult children who benefitted from the Montessori approach in their early years. Our family has lived in Massachusetts, Illinois, and most recently Long Island. I am happy to be back in the Catskills in Downsville, surrounded by woods and possibilities.
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In my early career I found purpose through Therapeutic Recreation in a nursing home where I first learned about adapting materials to address different needs, and what it means to have quality of life. Through experience as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher and Early Intervention Provider, I learned how to meet learners where they are, find creative means to adapt instruction, and nurture language and skill development. Applied Behavior Analysis, adaptive communication and sensory integration strategies were some of the tools I found most useful. I enjoyed working with young families to collaboratively meet challenges and celebrate successes. More recently, I spent eight years in Community Habilitation where I provided direct care to individuals with complex medical needs. I learned immeasurable lessons through the strength of family.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, and writing and playing with my dogs.
I’m excited to be starting this next chapter in the supportive folds of other Montessori professionals and am looking forward to integrating my past experiences with continuous learning to benefit young individuals.
Toddler
Mika Taga
Toddler Red Lead Guide
I am currently undergoing my 0-3 AMI Diploma training at the Montessori Institute in Denver (TMI).
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I was born and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California. The looming Redwoods and expansive Pacific ocean imbued awe and connection to the natural world, and shaped who I am. As a child, I attended an AMI Japanese-Immersion Montessori School, which laid the foundation for my future art practice, which expresses an affinity for sculpting and abstracting basic geometric forms in wood and clay, and in retrospect, clearly has been influenced by the way of life Montessori pedagogy inspires.
I attended Wellesley College by Boston, where I received a liberal arts education. My studies consisted of Chemistry, Buddhism and Taoism, and Studio Art. While in school, I took time to live at a Zen Center and Farm in California for two years, wherein I practiced quieting the mind and working with the hands. After graduating from college, I moved to Philadelphia to develop my sculptural practice in wood and expand to other materials. While in Philadelphia, I worked in a Primary classroom at a Montessori school, and was greatly inspired by the children diligently working with increasing coordination of hand and mind, developing mind and spirit, and expressing incredible creativity and intelligence as well as care for their environment.
I am so grateful to find myself at Bovina Montessori, and find great joy, fulfillment, and inspiration from working with young children. The staff at this school are deeply committed to serving the child, and caring for and living in harmony with the land, I am inspired each day.
Tina Turner
Toddler Blue Lead Guide
& Daycare Director
I am currently completing my 0-3 AMI Diploma through the Montessori Institute in Denver (TMI), while also finishing my Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s degree through the University of Hartford. I also hold a Permaculture Certification and I love to work with nature education!
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I grew up in the Catskills, where the stunning landscape has always been a source of inspiration for me.
After living in Florida and Atlanta for many years, I am so grateful to have returned home, where I now serve as a Montessori Guide for one of our toddler classrooms and as the School's Daycare Director, overseeing the management of our Infant and Toddler rooms.
I’m a devoted mother, artist, and nature enthusiast. My professional journey began with over 20 years of business ownership, followed by work in the film industry and then photography and visual arts.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be living my purpose, helping build an incredible daycare opportunity in Delaware County and guiding young children in a nurturing and nature-centered learning environment that is Bovina Center Montessori School.
Maraya Fisher
Daycare Assistant Guide
I grew up in Upstate New York where I was heavily involved in the local dance studio and theater while also participating in the competitive dance circuit. After graduating high school, I continued my dance theatre training at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, before moving to their Los Angeles campus to complete my bachelors degree.
After graduation, I joined a variety of dance companies, continuing my love for the arts. While dancing my way through Los Angeles, I began working with children at the local YMCA, which led down the path of becoming a licensed nanny.
While immersing myself in work with children, I was still able to represent the United States two years in a row with my dance company in the World Congress of Dance in Greece and Italy.
Whether it has been participating in afterschool programs, teaching children to dance, or being there to guide them through online school during the pandemic, working along side children has become a lifelong like my work in the arts!
Lucy Stupakoff
Toddler Red Assistant Guide
I was born and raised in England on a horse farm. After having traveled extensively all over the world, I settled in the United States with my then husband and raised our family in Delaware County. After my children had grown up, I worked in palliative dementia care for over a decade, supporting the elderly. When working with my last client, I felt it was time for a change and thought working with children - the other side of the human age spectrum - would be interesting. I believe with the help of serendipity, I met Sophie and learned about the Montessori school. Now I am enjoying another aspect of what this amazing life offers and getting to aid the youngest people in society is a great honor!
Christine Hu
Toddler Blue Assistant Guide
I am from Scarsdale, New York, though I've spent more than half my life in New Hampshire and New Jersey. Starting in 2025, I am excited to put down roots in Delaware County with my husband Declan.
In 2024, I received a BA in Slavic Languages & Literatures from Princeton University, where I was also involved with the Teacher Prep Program. My educational training focused on student-centered learning and restorative justice, which I applied through student-teaching at Montgomery High School and tutoring at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility and Garden State Youth Correctional Facility. These experiences showed me the transformative power of education, and encouraged me to continue working in schools after graduation.
In my free time, I enjoy textile arts, puppetry, and building sound systems. I am really excited to work at a school that prioritizes the outdoors, the arts, and alternative ways of learning!
Dawn Gibson
Daycare Assistant Guide
I completed the AMI 0-3 Orientation Course from the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT).
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I live in Downsville and came to Bovina Montessori in the fall of 2023 after a recommendation. I worked in another local daycare that decided to close down with many of the children transferring to here! Before my work with little ones, I worked with kids diagnosed with autism, many of which were non-verbal. I have loved all of my jobs and especially those that involve children.
I have a Masters degree, 2 adult kids, and 5 wonderful grandchildren. I have lived my whole life in this area. My second passion is animals; I have six horses, a donkey, chickens, cats and dogs. I am extremely happy to have found Bovina Montessori, and I truly wish I had gone to a Montessori School myself! Child-centered education is a wonderful thing. Life is beautiful, because we are all wonderfully made!
Primary
Jess Gilman
Primary Lead Guide
I hold an AMS Montessori Diploma from the College of New Rochelle and enjoyed the next six years as a lead guide at another Montessori School before starting as the Primary Lead Guide at Bovina Center Montessori in 2021.
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I spent the first few years of my life on a farm in the Delaware Valley, where I developed a deep love of nature and animals. I then moved to lower Westchester, to begin school and lived there ever since, working and raising two children.
I found Montessori by accident when taking a job as an assistant at a local preschool. I was amazed at how independent and capable the children in the class were and fell in love with the philosophy.
I have a background in art from SUNY Purchase, with a focus on drawing and photography. I've also studied gardening, permaculture, and native planting, and enjoy incorporating these skills into the daily life of the children in the class.
I am passionate about sustainability and creating classrooms that focus on reducing waste, composting, caring about the environment, and each other. I also continue to learn American Sign Language, which I include in the curriculum. In my free time I love to travel in my camper van with my kids and dogs, volunteer at the library, read a ton, and of course, gardens.
I am so happy to be part of building this beautiful school, living in Bovina, and returning to the country to support outdoor learning!
Cassidy Smith
Primary Assistant Guide
I've lived in Delaware County my whole life. I graduated from Delaware Academy in 2020 with a technical degree in agriculture. I was a very active member in 4-H and a FFA Officer. My main interests included studying different types of livestock, breeds, process of maple syrup, and business management. I bred and showed rabbits, Hereford hogs, chickens, turkeys and guinea pigs. My years as a 4-Her and FFAer have put a tremendous impact on who I am today.
When I was not in the ag room, I was most likely in the gym practicing volleyball and/or softball. I went to training camps all over New York and Connecticut throughout the years in middle and high school.
After graduation I began working at my uncle's farm in Meridale, Greenane farms. We raise poultry, black angus beef, goats, and pigs. We have a small meat processing facility, where we process our poultry to sell locally. We also had a Mexican restaurant for about ten years, that was quite popular. After eight months of working there, I took over the customer service, sales, and front house of the restaurant for two years.
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After leaving our family farm, I worked a few odd jobs before starting a nanny job for a current family at BCMS. That's when I met Sophie and found out about Bovina Montessori! I absolutely love the style of learning and the atmosphere here is amazing! I honestly wish this place was around when I was a youth, so I could have gone here!
I currently love to spend any time with my 4 dogs, 7 rabbits, and kitten. I recently got into gardening and spend all my free time in the dirt!
Emily Cronk
Primary Assistant Guide
I grew up just over the mountain in Roxbury, NY. I went to Roxbury Central School and during high school I made a transition to Rotterdam, NY where I went to Mohonasen High School for two years and then finished my senior year at Roxbury Central School. I was in love with soccer from the start of Kindergarten all the way through High School and into some college. I did travel soccer for Alleycats Soccer Club in Albany, and played on the soccer team at Hudson Community College.
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I have always been infatuated with nature and the outdoors since I could walk. I always wanted to see what was outside of the Catskills so I took some time to explore the country. I packed my car full and sent off on an adventure to Colorado from NY where I lived for some time. Then from Colorado I moved to Asheville, North Carolina where I worked and lived for some time as well. When I feel I need to regroup I always find myself back here in the Catskills.
​I now currently live in Delhi, NY with my fiancée and two kittens. On my free time I enjoy being outdoors; hiking, sitting by streams and taking long walks. I enjoy gardening, listening to music and watching movies and spending time with family.
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I hold a special place for kids and animals in my heart and never could have imagined I’d find this school in Bovina. Montessori has been exactly what I have been searching for for so long! I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to be in nature and outdoors along with taking care of the toddlers. They bring me so much joy and fulfillment in life.
Elementary
Lucy Stupakoff
Toddler Assistant Guide
Blythe Czaja
Elementary Lead Guide
I hold an AMI 6-12 (Elementary) Diploma from The Montessori Institute (TMI) in Denver.
I acquired my BA in Agricultural Education with a concentration in Animal Science from SUNY Cobleskill where I graduated in 2010. I worked for 6 years at an outdoor education center in the Adirondacks. While working with outdoor education, I also managed another business called the 1812 Homestead & Farm Museum where children learned the lifestyle of living in the early 1800’s.
I grew up just down the road from the school on a small dairy farm in Bloomville. My love of agriculture - especially animals and horticulture - extended from my childhood on the farm.
I grew up working closely with my father helping him take care of the animals, tending to the crops, and my personal favorite: making maple syrup.
While I am not enlightening the youth, you can find me wandering through the mountains with my two cattle dogs, Raelyn & Finley or working in my sugar shack on Maple Syrup products. I also enjoy getting my hands dirty in the garden, kayaking in the sunshine or exploring new trails with my mountain bike.
Katie Henry
Elementary Learning Specialist
& Guide Coach
I hold an AMI 6-12 (Elementary) Diploma and an AMI Primary (3-6) Diploma from Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT). In 2024 I completed my Montessori Coaching Course with Public Montessori in Action under the tutelage of renowned Montessori Coach Elizabeth Slade.
I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Southern Methodist University where I did my BS in Economics with a minor in Human Rights. It was there I met my now-husband, Taylor, who is the Lead Middle School Guide here.
After college, I obtained several teaching certificates and I taught high school math for 5 years. Through a distant connection I was introduced to the Montessori Method that changed my life - I finally found an educational method faithful to and following the child's developmental needs!
I have been at Bovina Montessori since 2022 and live on campus with my family. I work mainly in the elementary classroom as our literacy and math specialist and have recently completed my Montessori Coaching Course, developed by Elizabeth Slade for Public Montessori In Action, enabling me to further support our faculty towards upholding our beloved Montessori standards in all of our classrooms.
In my spare time I enjoy reading and spending time with our two young daughters.
I am so excited to be part of the community at Bovina Center Montessori School and look forward to continue building this magical place for our community!
Carley Moore
Elementary Assistant Guide
I am currently completing my AMI 6-12 Orientation Course with the Montessori Teaching Center North East (MTCNE) and a NYS Science of Reading Fundamentals for Educators at SUNY New Paltz.
Being born and raised in the Catskill Mountains, the woods have always been a place of comfort for me. I remember coming home from school and running straight outside. I always loved being outside. Even now I love to go on hikes, walks, and cross through streams and meadows with my German shepherd, Wolfgang Amadeus.
I've always held a special place in my heart for children and ever since I was young I knew I wanted to work with them one day, teaching. Starting off as a frequent babysitter, to then becoming a Sunday School for my church. I started out with only two children in my class and now I have ten. Their laughter, curiosity, and authenticity has always inspired me.
It was through one of my students that I was introduced to the Montessori method. After doing some personal digging and reading, I was in awe. I never knew there was a way for children and teachers to both be genuinely excited about learning and not loathe school. To be an open environment for each child to learn at their own pace, while being so deeply connected to nature. I am very excited and grateful to be a part of this wonderful community.
My family and I moved to Bovina after growing up in Margaretville, NY in late 2021, after my father took on the role of rector at Saint James Episcopal Church in Bovina. When I am not working, I am often at home baking bread, reading, spending time with my family, volunteering at church or spending time with my pups.
Adolescent / Middle School
Taylor Henry
Adolescent Lead Guide
I am currently completing my AMI 12-18 (Adolescent) Diploma training with the Montessori Training Center North East (MTCNE).
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I was born and raised in the suburbs of Dallas. I studied Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University, where I met my lovely and talented wife, Katie.
After undergrad, I earned my Master’s of Science in Applied Sciences and completed a thesis on the topic of student curiosity. I got into the classroom through a residency program and a Master’s of Education.
For the five years before Bovina Montessori, I taught 15-18 year-olds in English Language Arts and an interdisciplinary, applied philosophy course (Theory of Knowledge) in an International Baccalaureate program.
In my time away from teaching, I enjoy baking sourdough bread, playing music, reading difficult books, and dancing and babbling with our little daughters.
It is a true joy and dream come true to join Bovina Montessori to build the middle and high school program along with a strong body of AMI Montessori advisors!
Jenny Blonk
Adolescent Lead guide
To be updated soon. Starting September 1, 2025!
Current Positions Available
Property Caretaker (Part-time / Full-time) - Opening in June 2025!
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Choir Instructor (2-4 hours a week, children and/or adults)
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String Instrument Teacher (4-6 hours a week, children)​