RMCS Staff
Director Ann Mooney, M.Ed
It is always interesting to me to hear how people found their way into a Montessori lifestyle. My first experience with the Montessori approach was a professional development visit to Ginny Varga's school in Dayton, Ohio during my first year of teaching. I taught sixth grade in a public school but was invited by the Kindergarten teachers to spend the day with them. Totally captivated by what I saw that day, within a few months I had enrolled in the Montessori training program at Xavier University and was on my way to earning my Master's degree and training with Hilda Rothschild and Martha McDermott. I was fascinated by everything about the philosophy and method of teaching. The effect of this experience changed my life profoundly. I was so grateful to raise my two sons with this new found knowledge about their development and how they would learn. Concurrently, I taught at Xavier with Hilda supervising interns and also in a private Montessori school in my town. After relocating from Ohio to the New York City area, I did not work for a number of years. When I did return to work, I had a position in marketing in the banking services industry until moving to Dallas. There, after my husband passed away, I decided to return to the Montessori work that had provided me with so much satisfaction before. I thought that combining my business management skills and Montessori training would allow me to serve families and children as a administrator. I love to organize events, people, and the environment, which has to be beautiful. Every aspect of Montessori work offers the opportunity for beauty to unfold, whether it is the design of a classroom, a beautiful material created by one of the inspired teachers, or the opportunity to observe a child in the process of discovery. This is truly a meaningful work to share.
Being a principal of a Montessori charter school for the past eight years has demonstrated to me that the vision we have for River Montessori is possible. I have seen it happen and I can see it again in our future in Petaluma. I am looking forward to knowing you and to adding my energy to what you have already started.
Being a principal of a Montessori charter school for the past eight years has demonstrated to me that the vision we have for River Montessori is possible. I have seen it happen and I can see it again in our future in Petaluma. I am looking forward to knowing you and to adding my energy to what you have already started.
Teacher, Elishama Goldfarb, M. Ed
As the teacher in a 2nd/3rd grade Montessori classroom for the last two years, Elishama structured his classroom environment so that his students would feel individually successful while also understanding that they were an important part of a larger community. He explains, "I am very passionate about creating a safe classroom environment where students feel like members of the community and are challenged to do their very best every day. Students excel well beyond their grade level when they are given not only the tools but also the opportunity for success." Elishama grew up in Berkeley and says, "I have always had a love of the outdoors and education." After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he led backpacking trips into Yosemite National Park and became a naturalist guide leading groups through parks in California, British Columbia, and Costa Rica. Following this work, he enrolled at UC Davis to get his teaching credential and Masters in Education. During that time, he landed a job at a Montessori school where he received his training and certification as an Elementary Montessori Teacher. His teaching methods and philosophy have grown and developed over the last 10 years as an outgrowth of his experiences with teaching Montessori, outdoor education, and inclusion programs. He states, "I have learned to be a teacher and an observer; I have come to see how my own preparations and openness can help guide students to become more independent, self-reliant, and responsible. My teaching style enables students to feel a sense of agency and empowerment in their own learning."
Teacher Ashley Lapham
Over the last 5 years, Ashley has worked in traditional public and private schools as well as a private Montessori school. Fundamental to her teaching philosophy is the belief that all children have the passion and desire to learn about themselves and better understand their world. "I feel that it is my job as a teacher to give them guidance, trust them, and provide them the freedom and responsibility they need to fulfill their potential," she says.
"I am passionate about the earth and feel most at home when outside. From growing veggies in my backyard to exploring my surroundings on a hike, I am in constant awe of the beauty that nature holds. Integrating this passion into the classroom happens in many ways and is a lot of fun," she states, "It is exciting for me to watch as children learn to explore their surroundings and gain a better sense of their place in it."
"What I love best about teaching is the fact that I love it," adds Ashley. "Children have an unfiltered degree of realness about them that is both uplifting and inspiring." At this point in time, she cannot think of a career more gratifying and meaningful than teaching.
"I am passionate about the earth and feel most at home when outside. From growing veggies in my backyard to exploring my surroundings on a hike, I am in constant awe of the beauty that nature holds. Integrating this passion into the classroom happens in many ways and is a lot of fun," she states, "It is exciting for me to watch as children learn to explore their surroundings and gain a better sense of their place in it."
"What I love best about teaching is the fact that I love it," adds Ashley. "Children have an unfiltered degree of realness about them that is both uplifting and inspiring." At this point in time, she cannot think of a career more gratifying and meaningful than teaching.
Teacher Elizabeth Neumaier, M.Ed
In Michigan, Elizabeth Neumaier, Libby, began her Montessori teaching career with children aged 3 to 6. Over those 10 years, she also taught in a language immersion program with French, German, and Spanish students.
For the past four years, Libby has taught at both public and private elementary schools, earning her California Teaching credential and using Montessori methodology in her classrooms. She is Montessori certified through American Montessori International and has completed a Masters degree in education.
Libby loves encouraging children to understand more about science and culture. She explains, "In my Montessori classroom, the children and I listen, question, and view. These actions apply to studying the natural environment and to respecting each other as individuals. We work together to promote an enlightened global perspective, celebrating cultural diversity, and respect for others.
For the past four years, Libby has taught at both public and private elementary schools, earning her California Teaching credential and using Montessori methodology in her classrooms. She is Montessori certified through American Montessori International and has completed a Masters degree in education.
Libby loves encouraging children to understand more about science and culture. She explains, "In my Montessori classroom, the children and I listen, question, and view. These actions apply to studying the natural environment and to respecting each other as individuals. We work together to promote an enlightened global perspective, celebrating cultural diversity, and respect for others.
Teacher Deanna Peake, M.Ed
"I began studying Montessori philosophy about 15 years ago when my first child was born. Maria Montessori's ideas about educating children for life, following the child, cosmic education, and freedom with responsibility inspired me so much that I have never stopped following these ideals,” states Deanna. Having received a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley, she attended Saint Mary's College to obtain a California teaching Credential as well as Montessori certification for the primary (3-6 years), lower elementary (6-9 years), and upper elementary (9-12 years) levels. While teaching at Eagle Peak Montessori in Walnut Creek, she completed a Masters degree in Montessori Education.
Chartered by the local school district, Eagle Peak has forged the way for public Montessori in the area, and she had the privilege of playing a role in its development over the last 6 years. "In addition to teaching at lower and upper elementary levels, I got to be on the Board of Directors, run the daycare, set up Thanksgiving and Summer Camps, help put on a school-wide play, get grants for our beautiful school garden, and even help put up a totem pole on campus,” explains Deanna.
"My two daughters, 10 and 15 years old, and my son, 12, all attended Montessori elementary schools and are now in 5th, 7th, and 10th grades,” adds Deanna. "They keep me busy as a mom with their sports, dance, and youth group activities. We are excited to move to Sonoma County from the East Bay, looking forward to a smaller town, and more time in the great outdoors. I'm also looking forward to meeting the parents and students of River!"
Chartered by the local school district, Eagle Peak has forged the way for public Montessori in the area, and she had the privilege of playing a role in its development over the last 6 years. "In addition to teaching at lower and upper elementary levels, I got to be on the Board of Directors, run the daycare, set up Thanksgiving and Summer Camps, help put on a school-wide play, get grants for our beautiful school garden, and even help put up a totem pole on campus,” explains Deanna.
"My two daughters, 10 and 15 years old, and my son, 12, all attended Montessori elementary schools and are now in 5th, 7th, and 10th grades,” adds Deanna. "They keep me busy as a mom with their sports, dance, and youth group activities. We are excited to move to Sonoma County from the East Bay, looking forward to a smaller town, and more time in the great outdoors. I'm also looking forward to meeting the parents and students of River!"
Music Teacher, Curtis Cooper
Curtis Cooper will instill a love and understanding of music in the children of River that comes from his passion for teaching what he loves. He, himself, first started music lessons in 5th grade, and began the following year performing in drum competitions. Several years later, he began composing percussion ensembles, and then in his junior year of high school, he directed the Lynbrook High School Percussion Ensemble, which won first place at California Music Educators Solo Ensemble Competition.
"I joined my first professional band at age 15 and toured and recorded with many great (and not so great) unknown bands," he relates. "I then became the percussion section leader for the San Jose Municipal Band, while also working as a technician, an audio engineer, and a private drum teacher." In 1991, he opened his own music school and wrote several books for drums. During this time, he also taught Cupertino High School Marching Band and percussion ensemble, which won the Northern California championship four times.
In 2001 he moved to Sonoma County and went back to school where he received a BA in Music Education, a California Teaching Credential, and trained as an Orff music specialist. "I performed with the American Philharmonic of Sonoma County, Ukiah Symphony, Lake County Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphonic Choir, Cinnabar Theater, Raven Theater, Ukiah Playhouse, and the 6th Street Playhouse, including conducting the opera "Evita", while I completed my degree and training," he says. He joins River after several years of teaching music in other schools throughout Sonoma County. He offers private lessons with a long list of instruments from which to choose: the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums and Percussion, Piano (Keyboard), Voice, and Recorder.
"I joined my first professional band at age 15 and toured and recorded with many great (and not so great) unknown bands," he relates. "I then became the percussion section leader for the San Jose Municipal Band, while also working as a technician, an audio engineer, and a private drum teacher." In 1991, he opened his own music school and wrote several books for drums. During this time, he also taught Cupertino High School Marching Band and percussion ensemble, which won the Northern California championship four times.
In 2001 he moved to Sonoma County and went back to school where he received a BA in Music Education, a California Teaching Credential, and trained as an Orff music specialist. "I performed with the American Philharmonic of Sonoma County, Ukiah Symphony, Lake County Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphonic Choir, Cinnabar Theater, Raven Theater, Ukiah Playhouse, and the 6th Street Playhouse, including conducting the opera "Evita", while I completed my degree and training," he says. He joins River after several years of teaching music in other schools throughout Sonoma County. He offers private lessons with a long list of instruments from which to choose: the Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums and Percussion, Piano (Keyboard), Voice, and Recorder.