Faculty & Staff

Caila Martindale

Campus Director

Accreditations: AMS, MACTE

Certifications: 0-3 Infant/Toddler Montessori Teacher, Montessori Administrative Leadership (in progress)

Degrees: BA

Caila has been part of CTMS since its conception. She was a Montessori student here through 6th grade, and loves the Montessori philosophy. Caila continued to work and volunteer at CTMS through high school and college. After graduating college she came back to CTMS inspiring our youngest students and went on to receive her birth to 3-year-old Montessori Certification through Northeast Montessori Institute. She is currently working on her certification for Montessori Administrative Leadership. Caila loves her dogs, art, the beach, and dabbles in photography.
Email: Caila

Alisabeth Martindale

Admissions Director

Degrees: BA

Alisabeth, a CTMS alumna, was raised with the Montessori philosophy and has remained actively involved with the school through work and volunteer efforts. She graduated from Marine Science Magnet High School in 2015 and received a BFA from the University of Connecticut in 2019. Alisabeth, a first-time mom, is excited to raise her child in the same nurturing community that helped shape her. As Admissions Director, she has a deep understanding of the school’s values and a commitment to supporting families throughout the admissions process. Alisabeth enjoys making art, being outdoors, and spending time with family.

Email Alisa

Nicole Atwood

Chief Operating Officer

Accreditations: NMI, MACTE

Certifications: AMI Montessori 3–6 Teacher's Assistant

Degrees: BS Business Administration, Organizational Leadership

Nicole worked in retail as an Assistant Manager for six years before becoming a full time Mom to her three children. She joined the CTMS staff in 2008 as our art teacher and has continued to be involved at CTMS as a parent. In 2011 she became our full time Administrative Assistant. Though Nicole’s passion and education is in interior design, she has discovered a new love in the Montessori Method. Over the summer of 2012 Nicole became certified as a Montessori Teacher’s Assistant as well as a Teacher Trainer for Positive Discipline. She enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, boating, reading and spending time with her family.
Email: Nicole
Phone: (860) 388-3536

Elizabeth Rose

Main Campus Administrator

Degrees: BA

Beth was born on Long Island and has lived in Connecticut since the age of three. Beth has always been fascinated with foreign cultures and learning new languages. She got her BA from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, where she majored in German Studies. Beth completed a junior year abroad in Munich, Germany and traveled extensively throughout Europe whenever she had the opportunity. Beth’s early career included working for ESPN in different capacities for 12 years, before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her twin boys, now 22. Beth worked with children as a paraprofessional in the Glastonbury Public School system for 6 years. Beth always had a love for children, and has nannied for young children most of her life. Beth lives in Portland with her sons Ben and Josh and their cat Coco, and enjoys day trips in CT, hiking, nature, daily 3 mile walks, tennis, biking, photography, live music, travel, chasing sunsets, and spending time with family and friends. Having learned about Montessori schools when her boys were young and being intrigued by the Montessori model, Beth is excited to be working with the children, families, and staff at CTMS.

Email: Beth

Danielle Giordano

Marking Specialist

Degrees: AS, BS

Danielle is a creative marketing specialist and mom of two who joined The Children’s Tree in January 2025. She manages social media, designs content, and shares the school’s mission through thoughtful storytelling and community engagement. Outside of work, she enjoys thrifting, DIY projects, and spending time on the shoreline with her family.

Marci Martindale

Founder, Board of directors

Accreditations: AMS, AMI, NMI, CMTE, MACTE, National Network of Montessori Advocacy

Certification: 3-6 years Montessori Primary Teacher, 6-9 Montessori Elementary Teacher, 9-12 Montessori Elementary Teacher

Degrees: BS

Marci Martindale founded CTMS over 25 years ago out of her home, with the goal in mind to provide an alternative educationally based option for preschool age children. Marci’s dreams have come true with the expansion into our new facility and formation of an elementary program. After the birth of her first daughter she discovered the Montessori Method of teaching. She went back to school and became a certified teacher for the preschool and elementary aged students, holding Montessori Teaching accreditation for 3-12 year olds. Marci continues to attend classes and training to expand her knowledge and help to support the staff and families at CTMS. She is a certified facilitator of Positive Discipline Workshops for teachers and parents. She enjoys a good book, a cup of tea, cooking, dancing, shopping and spending time with family.
Email: Marci
Phone: (860) 388-3536

Heather Beach

Toddler Teacher

Education: Certified Cosmetologist through Biro Academy. Certified CCMA through NHA.

Heather has enjoyed expressing her creative side through cosmetology and loves helping others to feel like the best versions of themselves. Her passion for caring for others led her to earn a credential as a certified medical assistant so that she could extend compassionate care to those who need it most. Heather recently discovered Montessori education and immediately knew that she wanted to implement it at home with her two young daughters and join a community of like minded educators. Heather is thrilled to join our Toddler team to offer support to our students as they develop skills in independence within a structure that is nurturing and child centered. In her spare time she enjoys field hockey, boating and fishing with her family.

Email: Heather

Elizabeth Downs

Toddler Teacher

Degrees:

A devoted mother of two daughters who shares her love for learning and creativity with her family. She enjoys reading, crafting, and hiking in her free time, embracing both the quiet and adventurous sides of life. With her children actively involved in sports, she’s always cheering them on from the sidelines. Elizabeth is currently completing her full Montessori 0-3 teacher certification, deepening her expertise in early childhood education and her passion for child development.

Sarah Ruppenicker

Toddler Teacher

Degrees:

Bio Coming Soon!

Lizbeth Munroe

Toddler Teacher

Degrees:

Bio Coming Soon!

Eithne Moran Ramsay

Oak Room Lead Teacher

Accreditations: AMI, MTCNE, MACTE
Degrees: BA, MA-Education

Higher Diploma in Education

Eithne came to us with a desire to work in a school with a philosophy that resonated with her experiences and interests. Prior to Joining CTMS Eithne worked as a teacher for many years in her home country, Ireland, with ages 4-12. Eithne also ran summer camps for young children focusing on sports, baking, and crafts. She has always enjoyed working with children and watching them learn and grow. After her daughter was born she realized how much Montessori inspired her, and she wanted it to be part of her life. She believes Montessori is not just a philosophy, but a way of life. Eithne completed her Master’s in Education with a concentration in Montessori from the University of Hartford. She is very proud of her AMI training. She also holds a BA in Arts & Humanities from University College Dublin, Ireland and a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Eithne lives in East Lyme with her husband Robert and their daughter. During her free time she enjoys holidaying in Ireland, biking, hiking, golf, sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Email: Eithne

Eva McCain

Cedar Room Assistant Teacher

Accreditations: MTCNE, MACTE

Certifications: AMI Montessori 3–6 Teacher's Assistant

Eva was a stay at home mom for many years, worked in real estate and started as a substitute teaching at CTMS in 2017. She’s now one of the assistant primary teachers and completed her Montessori assistant training in the summer of 2021. In her free time Eva enjoys camping, hiking, clamming and walking with friends by the ocean. Eva lives in Westbrook with her husband, children and her dog, Brewster. 

Email: Eva

Geannine Navarro

Primary Teacher

Accreditations: MACTE

Certifications: AMS Montessori 3–6 Teacher's Assistant

Geannine was born in the United States, but raised in Ecuador. There she studied International Business and has worked for over a decade in a family company inspecting the quality of fruits for international trade.

Geannine moved to Florida in 2016, and in 2022 moved to Connecticut with her family and their husky, so that her husband could study at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. After volunteering at her daughter’s school she decided she loved working with children. She found CTMS and loves being a part of the community. In her free time, Geannine enjoys spending time with her family playing games, watching movies, going out for ice cream and making crafts.

Fabienne Brutus-Chiocchio

Elementary Co-Teacher

Degrees: BA
Certifications: currently undergoing AMS Montessori certification training through CGMS

"Fabie," originally from the Caribbean, moved to Connecticut in 2016 from Virginia with her family. She has worked for the Department of Education for over 16 years, and most recently as a substitute teacher and interventionist for a local school district. Fabie graduated college with a B.A. in Culinary and Art from Keiser University. She taught culinary for a few years while her children were toddlers, until she decided to continue with Elementary education with the University of Phoenix. She then went on to pursue a B.A. in Science in Management.

Fabie knew a little about Montessori Education, but never had the chance to explore it with her older children who are now teens. She came across CTMS while looking for something different from traditional education. She's enjoying learning Montessori philosophy and is grateful to be able to include her youngest daughter of 5 at CTMS. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family and two dogs, cooking, cleaning, traveling and meeting new people.

Email Fabi

Heather Manwaring

Maritime Administrator

Degrees:

Bio Coming Soon!

Katie Dobson

Elementary Teacher

Degrees:

Bio Coming Soon!

Pam Gozzi

Primary Assistant Teacher

Before Care Teacher

Certifications: Assistant Primary Teacher, Advanced Assistant Primary Teacher
Accreditations: NMI, CMTE, MACTE

Degrees: BA

Pamela Gozzi started with The Children’s Tree in 2005 as an assistant teacher. Pam is a busy wife and mother of two adult children who lives in Westbrook, CT. She owned her own dance studio for several years that specialized in preschool and elementary aged children, she also ran a decorating company with her sister. After being introduced to the philosophy of Montessori learning she was thrilled to be able to work at the Children’s Tree. Pam has been training at CTMS each year and has completed the advanced assistant primary teacher training at the Center for Montessori Education.
Email: Pam

Linda Maidelis

Assistant Teacher

Degrees:

Bio Coming Soon!

Anastasia "LaLa" Jankowski
Music

"LaLa" is a Music Together certified instructor who has been bringing the joy of music to children for many years. She is part of the Sunny Train group out of Madison, CT where she teaches music and lyrics, instruments, mindfulness, yoga and ballet.