| DIRECTORS |
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Christine Kovago co-directed the school from 1979-1992 with Cecile M. Zaik. In 1994 Christine and Gus Kovago became the new directors to Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She received her Montessori training at Boston College in 1979. She received her BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, with minors in Art Education and Physical Education from Worcester State College. She also attended Clark University, as well as receiving her LPN certification from the St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing. She has completed the Open Circle training for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in 2003. Her hobbies are: being a life-long learner, gardener and world traveler. |
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Gus Kovago has been with Pincushion Hill since 1993. He and his family came to the United States in 1956, after escaping the Hungarian Revolution. He attended Quinsigamond and Worcester State Colleges, and worked in his family's business for 20 years prior to assuming his duties at the School. |
| FRONT OFFICE TEAM |
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Lisa is Pincushion Hill's Business Manager. She attended Northeastern University, majoring in Accounting. Previously, she worked in the insurance industry and for a law firm. She has two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys sports and reading. She loves the Red Sox!
lisa@pincushion.com |
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Dawn is the Office and Admissions Coordinator. She attended University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut majoring in Marketing. Prior to joining Pincushion Hill, she worked with an attorney assisting clients with their life and estate planning. Dawn enjoys spending her extra time with family, especially her nieces and nephews. Her hobbies are gardening, crafts and watching football and baseball.
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| UPSTAIRS CHILDREN'S HOUSE |
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Hiral has completed her training for AMS certification from New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. She received her masters in Mathematics from M.S. University, Baroda. She taught Math and Computer for 3 years in India in Central Board School from grades 1-9 and has been working in Montessori classrooms since 2003 in Massachusetts. She attended many workshops at AMS conferences and has also taken training in Redirecting Children’s Behavior. She considers herself fortunate to have the opportunity to satisfy children’s curiosity and thirst of knowledge and help them learn. She has her Masters in Indian Classical Music from Akhil Gandharva University, Bombay and has training in Yoga. She enjoys contributing her skills and knowledge in the classroom and working with “little wonders.”
hiral@pincushion.com |
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Linda worked in the Wellesley Community Children’s Center for ten years. She has authored a guide for teachers called "Creating a Classroom of Enthusiastic Authors: Interactive Writing in Kindergarten" in 2004 and also authored a booklet for parents called "It’s Not Just Fun and Games: The Vital Role of Play in Children’s Learning" in 2001. She completed her Montessori training in the summer of 2007 at the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center (NEMTEC). Linda enjoys taking day trips to investigate areas of New England, downhill skiing, and writing, especially educational guides, short stories, and children's stories.
linda@pincushion.com |
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Stephanie received her BS in Psychology in December 2004 from Worcester State College. She is also working towards a Masters of Education in Guidance Counseling at Cambridge College. She has volunteered for the Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services. Stephanie has been working with children in the classroom and in the administration field for several years. She has two children and enjoys pilates, yoga, outdoors, shopping and would love to start traveling.
stephanie@pincushion.com |
| DOWNSTAIRS CHILDREN'S HOUSE |
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Catherine received her Bachelor of University Studies from the University of Maine, and received two BA's, in psychology and English, from the University College of Cape Breton. She has completed her Montessori training at the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. (NEMTEC)
catherine@pincushion.com |
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Lauren earned her Massachusetts Elementary Education certification in 2000 from Regis College in Weston. She also attended Simmons College in Boston, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In addition, she has completed graduate courses at Framingham State College along with a semester of EMI-Empowering Multicultural Initiatives - a teaching course developed by METCO to counter racism. Most recently, Lauren attended the Rising Stars Early Childhood 3-6 Overview, a program offered to teachers through the Northeast Montessori Institute. She completed her Montessori training in the summer of 2007 at the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center (NEMTEC). For several years she worked at the Loker Elementary School in Wayland servicing students within a wide range of ages and learning abilities from grade 1 through grade 5. Prior to entering the field of education, Lauren was at home full-time raising her four children.
lauren@pincushion.com |
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Aarthi received her bachelors in Business Administration from Bharathidasan University in Trichy, India. After college, she participated in the management of a privately-held fabrication business, specifically advising on Capital Management. Aarthi has successfully completed her Montessori training with NAMC and has previous Montessori teaching experience. She borrows heavily from the Montessori philosophy laying emphasis on the fact that children instinctively yearn to develop their fine skills and understanding and that they should therefore be provided with opportunities to do so independently, at the time which is right for them. Traveling far and wide to Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China and Sri Lanka has helped Aarthi to understand different cultures and their sensitivities. In addition to being a mother of three, Aarthi is an Indian Classical dance enthusiast and has undergone training for the same. She continues to perform in this Indian Art form on various occasions.
aarthi@pincushion.com |
| MAIN FLOOR CHILDREN'S HOUSE |
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Talia has enjoyed educating children and teens in New Hampshire and Massachusetts for the past seven years in subjects ranging from Theatre to Science. While studying at Emerson Talia worked as a Boston Public elementary substitute and completed her student teaching with Boston Public as well. Talia also enjoys being the program coordinator and Hebrew teacher at Boston Synagogue where she has taught for 3 years, in addition to working for Arlington Children's Theatre. She holds a M.A. in Theatre and Education from Emerson College and a B.A. in Theatre with emphasis in Secondary Ed., minor in Music from University of New Hampshire.
talia@pincushion.com |
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Priya graduated with a degree in early childhood education from International Polytechnic for Women in Delhi, India. She also received a Bachelors degree in Commerce. Following her graduation, she taught kindergarten as well as second grade for three years. Priya spent several years working for a non-profit organization in India that assisted impoverished communities.
priya@pincushion.com |
| LOWER ELEMENTARY |
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Mary graduated in 1992 with a BA in Elementary Education. From 1992-1997 she volunteered and substituted in the Elementary classrooms (grades 2-6) at Framingham Public Schools. She also taught at Temple Beth Nursery School & Kindergarten and led a Framingham Girl Scout troop. In 1997 she started as a Children’s House teacher at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She brought her daughter with her to participate in the strong Montessori education program at Pincushion. Mary completed her Montessori Primary training in 2000 at The National Center for Montessori Education in Beverly, MA. After six years as a Montessori educator, Mary joined the administration as Academic Coordinator and Director of Admission. She enjoyed conveying the importance of Montessori education and welcoming new parents to Pincushion. In August 2004, Mary completed Tim Seldin’s 5 day Montessori Leadership Institute titled “Master Teachers Model Program-Establishing a Culture of Montessori Excellence”. Fulfilling a need to follow the child through their Montessori experience, Mary has continued with her education by taking the Elementary Montessori Teacher Training at the Seacoast Center for Education in New Hampshire.
mary@pincushion.com |
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An Architect by profession, Rupali spent many years designing residences
in India. She received her Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Poona
University, India. When she moved to the United States, she decided to
home-school her son the Montessori way. Having enjoyed the success with
her son, it was only natural for her to follow him in Montessori
Education. This exposure led her to pursue a formal Montessori training
at CMTE, New York for the 6 - 9 level. Over the past few years, she has also tutored children of various ages to develop good reading, writing, math and art skills. She believes that the child is the focus of education
and parents are partners in their development. She enjoys reading
classics to children and spends her private moments painting, camping
and photographing nature.
rupali@pincushion.com |
| SPECIALISTS |
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Phyllis has been working as the School's librarian since 1996. She teaches library and research skills to all the children as well as adding to and maintaining the collection and the library database. She has also served as librarian in various public and private schools, and as Children's Librarian and Asst. Director of the Sherborn Public library. She holds an MLS from Simmons Graduate School of Library Science, and a BA from Emmanuel College.
phyllis@pincushion.com |
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Suzie has been the Art Specialist at Pincushion since 1998. She developed her own art studio in 1988, and has many years of experience as an elementary art teacher. She has an MA from Texas Woman's University and a BS from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She has also done work in post graduate design at Temple University.
suzie@pincushion.com |
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Katy has been the Spanish Language Specialist at Pincushion Hill since 1999. She works with both preschool and elementary children. Prior to Pincushion, she taught in the Wellesley and Medford public school systems. She has her M.Ed. from Lesley University, and her BA in Spanish Language and Literature from Wesleyan University. Katy attended Montessori school in Colorado from preschool through first grade, and began learning Spanish there at age 4.
katysr@pincushion.com |
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Nancy has been the Elementary Science Specialist at Pincushion since 2001. Nancy has been fascinated by the wonders of the natural world since childhood and loves to share her enthusiasm with children of all ages. She has her B.S. in Biology from Tufts University and M.S. from Ohio State. She graduated from the Teacher Certification program at Wellesley College and she has her Massachusetts teacher certification.
nancysg@pincushion.com |
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Tracy went to the Community College of Rhode Island where she studied liberal arts from 1983-1985, then transferred to Rhode Island College where she studied physical education from 1985-1988. During her college years she played both basketball and softball. She graduated but never received her teaching certificate from the State of Rhode Island due to a speech impedement. Tracy became a lifeguard, swim instructor and assistant aquatics director for a YMCA in Rhode Island. She has always stayed active by playing basketball, soccer and softball. In March, 2002, she began a new adventure of owning her own company by the name of Itty Biddy Sports. This program offers various sports instruction to children 2-6 years of age. From September 2003 through June 2004, she instructed physical education and taught health to children at Father Holland Catholic Regional School in Rhode Island. She enjoys instructing physical education to the students of Pincushion Hill
Montessori School. Further, Tracy is the head teacher for a daycare in
Millbury, MA since August 2003. She has become E.E.C. certified through this opportunity.
tracy@pincushion.com |
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Sharon has been the Music Specialist at Pincushion since 2006. Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Biola University in Southern California and graduated from Boston University with her Masters in Music Education. She has been teaching private piano lessons for the last 9 years and has taught general music classes in different schools around California as well as the Greater Boston area. She enjoys listening to music from all over the world and her favorite composers are Beethoven and Chopin. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys reading a good book and learning new skills such as cooking and tap dancing.
sharon@pincushion.com |
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John is the Director of Youth Programs at Suburban Child in Framingham, MA. Pincushion students take swimming lessons at the Suburban facility. He has a degree in Physcial Education from Bridgewater State College. John believes that the students should have fun while they are learning the techniques and rules of a sport.
john@pincushion.com |
| KID’S KORNER (After School Program) |
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Joyce grew up in Ashland, not far from the Pincushion. She graduated from Salem State College with a BA in Art, and worked in the advertising field for several years before deciding to make a change to working with children and art. She has worked with children in many different settings, and will shortly be E.E.C. lead teacher certified. Joyce strongly believes in self directed education, and has training and experience in photography, yoga, tai chi, organic farming, and energy healing. She lives with her fiancé and two cats in a farm animal sanctuary nearby, and enjoys playing with all her animal neighbors there.
joyce@pincushion.com |
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Elena arrived in this country from Russia at age 2 with her stage and fine artist parents. Elena attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Marlboro College, VT, both student-directed environments. She studied Literature and Languages in school and has continued to study Psychology, Philosophy, Religion and Linguistics. She taught ESL and created 3-D works for a fine art print shop.
elena@pincushion.com |
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Bret joined the after school Art Enrichment classes at Pincushion in 2005. He also teaches Youth Art for the Worcester Art Museum. When Bret is not teaching, he is taking part in art shows around Worcester County and has his work published in the Undercoverfish Anthology quarterly. He also creates illustrations for magazines. In his spare time he loves books by P.G. Wodehouse and old movies.
bret@pincushion.com |
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Lauren is a graduate of Virginia Tech, Class of 2006. She received a Bachelor of Science and double majored in Psychology and Art History. She is currently working on her Master of Arts with a specialization in Counseling Psychology at Framingham State College. She has volunteered for RAFT Crisis Hotline and Virginia Tech Women's Center as a Sexual Assault and Violence Educator. She has worked as a teacher at both Youth Villages and The New England Center for Children. She enjoys her free time visiting art & design galleries, traveling, and embracing the city.
laurenberry@pincushion.com |
