Our Lead & Assistant Guides
Gabrielle Taylor, Infant Lead Guide
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 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, and worked in countless classrooms, including just recently as a cooking teacher at Manhattan Country Day School in Roxbury.
I completed my AMI 0-3 Diploma Training at Montessori Training Center North East (MTCNE) this summer 2024 and I love the Montessori method and pedagogy! I live with my husband and our little girl Emily (born 2022) in Andes, along with two dogs and two cats, and expecting our second daughter this fall 2024!
I have truly found my dream job in guiding all of our littlest ones and love working at Bovina Montessori, first with guiding our toddlers between 2021-2024 and now soon our infants in our new Infant Room!
Raven Sprague, Infant Assistant Guide
I'm a proud native of the Catskills, born and raised here. I grew up in Roxbury and now live in Andes with my partner and three boys on a beautiful 8.5 piece of land.
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From a young age, I was drawn to the outdoors and working with animals. Most weekends, I could be found helping out on my aunt’s farm, where I was an active member of her 4-H club. When I wasn’t on her farm, I was with my grandmother, always assisting with her animals.
After high school, I dove straight into the workforce, juggling 2-3 jobs for several years. Everything changed, however, when my first son was born: I realized how much I wanted to be present for his early years. Since then, I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for my boys for the past six years. They are my greatest joy. While with them, I launched my own business about five years ago, managing properties for second-home owners and overseeing local Airbnbs.
I’ve always had a deep passion for the principles behind the Montessori method, which has naturally influenced how I raise my children. I’m thrilled to extend this passion and dedication to creating safe, stimulating learning environments that inspire our youngest learners to reach their full potential.
I’m beyond excited to join this incredible team and to continue expanding my skills and knowledge in an area that I am so deeply passionate about.
Christine Hu, Infant Assistant Guide
To be updated soon!
Mika Taga, Toddler Lead Guide
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 worked in other nonprofit and educational organizations, and found myself missing the classroom environment. This summer 2024 I began 0-3 AMI Diploma training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. 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 Lead Guide
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 toddlers at Bovina Center Montessori.
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.
I hold a permaculture certification and I am currently studying for my AMI diploma through the Montessori Institute in Denver (TMI), while completing my bachelor’s degree through the University of Hartford.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be living my purpose, guiding young children in a nurturing and nature-centered learning environment such as Bovina Center Montessori Montessori School.
Lucy Stupakoff, Toddler 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!
Dawn Gibson, Toddler Assistant Guide
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 have already completed my AMI 0-3 Orientation Course with Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT). I truly wish I had gone to a Montessori School! Child-centered education is a wonderful thing. Life is beautiful, because we are all wonderfully made!
Emily Cronk, Toddler 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.
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.
Jess Gilman, Primary Lead Guide
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 received my AMS Montessori Diploma training a few years later at the College of New Rochelle and enjoyed the next six years as a lead guide.
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 an 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!
Anushka Stupakoff, Primary Assistant Guide
I grew up in rural Delaware county, with my two parents and brother. My father is Brazilian and mother is English, they fell in love with the Catskills and wanted to raise their family here.
I’ve been a nature person my entire life, gardening, foraging wild foods, and creating natural medicine. I grew up riding horses, one of my biggest passions.
When I was 16 I moved to England to finish my education in Equine Management. I’ve been teaching children and adults to ride for years.
I then worked in fashion traveling the world which brought me back to NYC. Covid hit and I decided that life wasn’t for me anymore and moved back to my family farm.
This was when I started making my medicinal mushroom tinctures, that flourished into a business. I attend local farmers markets selling my products.
This is when I found out about Bovina Montessori and it sparked into something great and larger than I expected.
I can’t wait to share all my wilderness knowledge with the future generations to come.
Katie Henry, Elementary Lead Guide
I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. It was there I met my now-husband, Taylor, who is the Lead Middle School Guide here.
After college, I taught high school math for 5 years. Through a distant connection I was introduced to the Montessori Method. I took my AMI Primary (3-6) Diploma Training at Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) and taught at the Primary level for two years.
Between those years I began working on my AMI Elementary (6-12) Diploma at MINT, which I completed in Summer 2022. During my training, I moved up with my Primary children into an Elementary classroom.
In my spare time I enjoy reading and spending time with our little girl, Charlotte (CJ), who was born in September of 2021.
I am so excited to have joined the Bovina Montessori community, to run and grow the Elementary classroom here!
Blythe Czaja, Elementary Lead Guide
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.
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.
While I am not enlightening the youth, you can find me wandering through the mountains with my two cattle dogs, Raelyn & Finley. I also enjoy getting my hands dirty in the garden, kayaking in the sunshine or exploring new trails with my mountain bike.
In the summer of 2024, I completed my two-year AMI 6-12 (Elementary) Diploma with The Montessori Institute (TMI) in Denver. I am excited to further support our elementary students as a Lead Guide at Bovina Montessori!
Carley Moore, Elementary Assistant Guide
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.
Taylor Henry, Middle School Guide
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.
I am currently completing my AMI Adolescent Diploma training with the Montessori Training Center North East (MTCNE), which will be done in Summer 2025.
In my time away from teaching, I enjoy baking sourdough bread, playing music, reading difficult books, and dancing and babbling with our little girl, Charlotte (CJ).
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!
Adolescent Lead guide - TBD
To be updated. We are recruiting!
Current Available Positions
Adolescent Lead Guide (40 hours/week, 10 months/year) - start: Fall 2024. (if un-trained in Montessori, AMI diploma training scholarships are available)
Student Ages: 12-18 years ​
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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)