OUR TEAM
At The School House not only are we looking for educators with advanced degrees and certifications, we're looking for real world skill sets. From aviators to architects, molecular biologists to lawyers we are proud to introduce you to our TSH Team for the 2022-2023 school year.
Educators trained in partnership with:
MONTESSORI TRAINING CENTER NORTHEAST • SOUTHWEST INSTITUTE OF MONTESSORI • REGGIO-EMILIA, ITALY • NORTH AMERICAN MONTESSORI CENTER • NYS CERTIFICATION • AEC TRAINING
MS. MIMOSA JONES TUNNEY
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
In 2010, Mimosa Jones Tunney firmly believed that she had reached the highest level of human success: her own parking space on the Warner Bros. lot.
The spot – which came from writing on a critically-acclaimed television show – was evidence of her worth. As was directing her first documentary short series and developing a film with Tom Hanks. But it was through writing a mini-series for Oprah and HBO about the Life of Ida Tarbell that suddenly made the parking space seem irrelevant. That… and having her first child.
MS. JENNIFER WEST
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Jennifer has a BA in Marketing, from Dowling College and an MS Ed in Adolescent Education/Special Education with a minor in Literature studies from Dowling College. She holds a Dual Advanced Certificate for School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) from St. John’s University.
Jennifer also has numerous NYS Teacher Certifications: NYS Teacher English Language Arts (7th through 12th); Students with Disabilities Generalist (SWD) grades 1st to 6th and (SWD) Generalist 7th through 12th grade; Professional Certification SBL, Professional certification SDL. She brings 5+years of Educator experience and 5+ years of school leadership experience to TSH.
MS. KAITLYN RUSSO
LEAD EDUCATOR, PRIMARY
AMI (Association Montessori Internationale / USA) Primary Diploma, BA in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services, Masters in Social Work, Child Development Associate, CPR/AED Infant/Child and Adult Certified. Over 10 years experience in the Montessori Environment, former curator of the TSH Pre-School Extended Day Program. Currently obtaining her WSMNYC Montessori Certification in NYC.
MS. OLIVIA CZAVAR-BRANKER
LEAD EDUCATOR, ELEMENTARY II
AMI (Association Montessori Internationale / USA) Elementary Diploma, MA Adelphi University with a dual certification in Elementary Education and Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6), BA in English, Training in AMI Elementary I and II, CPR/First Aid Infant/Child and Adult Certified, 5 years of experience as an Educator and 8 years of experience as a Coach.
MS. AMELIA MAGGIO
EDUCATOR, THE LITTLE HOUSE
AMI (Association Montessori Internationale / USA) Primary Diploma, AMI Primary Training, studied at The University of Hartford for BA in University Studies with a concentration in Montessori, 9 Years in Childcare (5 years in a classroom environment), CPR/AED certified, First Aid certified.
MS. LORI MCLEAN
LEAD EDUCATOR, PRIMARY
AMI (Association Montessori international) Primary Diploma, NYS Teacher Certification: Students w/Disabilities (Birth- Second Grade), NYS Teacher Certification: Early Childhood Education (Birth- Second Grade), MA in Education & Child Life Studies, 20 years experience as an Educator.
MS. SHWETA BHARTI
ASSISTANT EDUCATOR, ELEMENTARY I
AMI (Association Montessori Internationale / USA) Primary Diploma, BA in English (Honors), MA in English, MA in Elementary Education, 9 years of experience as an ELT (English Language Teaching) editor for K-12, experience in providing literacy intervention, currently pursuing AMI Primary Training.
MS. KYLE PLATI
EDUCATOR, PRIMARY
NAMC (North American Montessori Center) Early Childhood Diploma, BA St. Joseph’s College with dual certification in Elementary Education and Students with Disabilities (Birth-6th Grade), MA SUNY Stony Brook (concentration in Child Study), NYS Early Intervention Provider, Special Education Itinerant Teacher, 14 years of experience as an Educator.
MS. NATALIE VIEGAS
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
BA in Media Studies, concentration in Journalism with minors in English and Women’s Gender Studies from Hunter College, MSEd in Early Childhood Education, Certified from Birth to Grade 2, CPR/AED Infant, Child, and Adult Certified, 6+ Years of Educator and Operations Experience.
MS. JANICE MEANEY
LEAD EDUCATOR, THE LITTLE HOUSE
AMI (Association Montessori International / USA) Diploma 0-3 years Certified, AAS Degree in Business, Continuing Education in Early Childhood Education at Suffolk Community College, CPR Infant/Child and Adult Certified, 27 years’ experience as an Educator. Janice was awarded a Grant through Suffolk AEYC (Association for the Education of Young Children) “Celebrating and Exploring Multicultural Families in our Classroom”
MS. OLGA TALANOVA
MUSIC EDUCATOR
Ms. Olga graduated from The Moscow School of Music with a degree in Music Education and Performing Arts. She has taught students from the beginner level to National Competitors for over 30 years . She has held tenure at Duke University’s String School, UNC, Cary School of Music and her own private studio.
To learn more about our educator accreditations please visit:
MACTE - Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education