Faculty and Staff
Christine Kovago
DIRECTOR AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPER
Christine Kovago is the Director of Pincushion Hill Montessori School, now celebrating her 40th year of devotion to the school. She began her career at Pincushion in 1978 after completing a BA in Early Childhood Education…
Christine Kovago is the Director of Pincushion Hill Montessori School, now celebrating her 40th year of devotion to the school. She began her career at Pincushion in 1978 after completing a BA in Early Childhood Education with a triple minor in Elementary Education (grades 1-6), Art History, and Special Education from Worcester State College. She did extensive studies of fine art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Worcester Art Museum. She also received her LPN certification from the St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester. She worked at St. Vincent Hospital in the Trauma Ward and at Worcester City Hospital in the Geriatric Unit. Christine received her Montessori training at Boston College in 1979. She was in the first graduating class of the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center here in Massachusetts, and she taught for 14 years at Pincushion both in the Children’s House (ages 3-6) and Elementary (ages 6-9) classrooms before becoming the Director of the school. She has served as the Director for 16 years. Her hobbies include life-long learning, reading, gardening, snorkeling, walking, practicing yoga and meditation, and world traveling. She looks forward to many more successful, happy and prosperous years here at Pincushion!
Gus Kovago
BUSINESS MANAGER
Agoston (Gus) Kovago’s family came to South Grafton, MA in 1956, after escaping the Hungarian Revolution. He attended Quinsigamond and Worcester State Colleges, earning a BA in Business.
Agoston (Gus) Kovago’s family came to South Grafton, MA in 1956, after escaping the Hungarian Revolution. He attended Quinsigamond and Worcester State Colleges, earning a BA in Business. He ran a retail gifts and home decor business with his father from 1964-1984. He currently serves as Pincushion’s School Ambassador. His passions include photography, travel, biking and snorkeling.
Lisa Wyman
BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Lisa Wyman is Pincushion Hill’s Business Manager and she is celebrating her 19th year at Pincushion. She attended Northeastern University, majoring in Accounting. Previously, she worked in the insurance industry for fourteen years.
Lisa Wyman is Pincushion Hill’s Business Manager and she is celebrating her 19th year at Pincushion. She attended Northeastern University, majoring in Accounting. Previously, she worked in the insurance industry for fourteen years. Then she worked at a law firm where she maximized her skills with numbers. She has two daughters that are twenty years apart! In her spare time, she enjoys sports, the beach, her many pets and spending time with her family and friends. She loves all Boston sports teams, but especially the Celtics!
Alison Petersen
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Alison is returning for her fourth year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Hartwick College and a Massachusetts Elementary Teaching License in Elementary Education from Framingham State University.
Alison is returning for her fourth year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Hartwick College and a Massachusetts Elementary Teaching License in Elementary Education from Framingham State University. Alison is currently taking a Montessori Overview course at the Northeast Montessori Institute. Alison has 10 years of experience working in public and private education as well as directing an academic summer camp for seven years. She loves running, practicing yoga and spending time with friends and family.
Our Teachers
Geetha Rajapakse
CHILDREN'S HOUSE TEACHER
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She is returning for her sixth year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She received her Pre-Primary Montessori…
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She is returning for her sixth year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. She received her Pre-Primary Montessori Training in 2019 from KHT Montessori. She has had experience teaching infants through Kindergarten age for over 18 years. She also has experience in teaching children with learning differences. She enjoys cooking, classical music, and traveling. Geetha’s mission is to build children’s strengths while instilling a love for learning.
Terrie Craig
CHILDREN'S HOUSE TEACHER
Terrie received a B.A. in English and Spanish from Assumption College, a Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State…
Terrie received a B.A. in English and Spanish from Assumption College, a Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education from Framingham State University, a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College, and a Post Master Certification in Early Childhood Research, Policy and Leadership from UMASS Boston, along with extensive training in Montessori education and philosophy. Terrie has a life-long love of learning and the desire to instill this in young children, while developing their sense of self. This past summer, Terrie completed a 200 hour training to become a yoga instructor and an SEL (social/emotional) Facilitator. At some point, she hopes to run Wellness workshops for both children and adults. Outside of work, Terrie enjoys poetry and reading, live music, hiking and camping, going to the beach, watching the Patriots, and spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Jones
Assistant Teacher
Sarah received a B.A. in English Literature from Assumption College and an M.S. in Elementary Education with Certification in Grades 1-6 from…
Sarah received a B.A. in English Literature from Assumption College and an M.S. in Elementary Education with Certification in Grades 1-6 from Eastern Connecticut State University. Prior to joining Pincushion, Sarah gained critical experience in children’s science studies doing summer camp and public programming at the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA for six years. She fell in love with Montessori education and is excited to teach and learn while being a part of the Pincushion community. Sarah enjoys baseball, reading, warm weather, the company of her greyhound, Luna, and rabbit, Sebastian, and watching movies with friends.
Laura O’Malley
Elementary Teacher
Laura holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College. She is a Licensed Elementary Teacher and has extensive experience working with elementary aged students.
Laura holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College. She is a Licensed Elementary Teacher and has extensive experience working with elementary aged students. Currently, Laura is pursuing her Montessori Certification in Early Childhood Education from the Northeast Montessori Institute. Laura is inspired to continue Maria Montessori’s mission by creating a peaceful classroom environment where all children can thrive and reach their fullest potential. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and gardening.
Desiree Mottard
Movement and Mindfulness Teacher
Desiree is the founder and creator of Movement and Mindfulness.
Desiree is the founder and creator of Movement and Mindfulness. Desiree teaches meditation , breathing, yoga and mindfulness to adults and children. Her business private sessions as well as a 30 day program. Desiree is passionate about teaching children breathing techniques and mindfulness strategies. Desiree is excited to return to Pincushion Hill teaching after school enrichments to children ages 2.9-12.
Taylor Loesch
Lead Children's House Teacher
Taylor has been a Montessori educator for three years.. She is currently pursuing her Montessori credential in Early Childhood Education from Northeast Montessori Institute. Taylor received her B.S in Fashion Merchandise from Framingham State University.
Taylor has been a Montessori educator for three years.. She is currently pursuing her Montessori credential in Early Childhood Education from Northeast Montessori Institute. Taylor received her B.S in Fashion Merchandise from Framingham State University. She has always had a passion to integrate her love for the arts and educating young people in one space. Taylor is looking forward to continuing Maria Montessori’s mission to help guide children to learn independently and grow as leaders in their community. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her two dogs, reading, and teaching dance.
Amanda Weaver
Art Teacher
Amanda graduated from Massachusetts College of Art & Design with a BFA in Art Education and a minor in Creative Writing. She has her teaching certification in Visual Art, PreK-8, licensed by the state of Massachusetts.
Amanda graduated from Massachusetts College of Art & Design with a BFA in Art Education and a minor in Creative Writing. She has her teaching certification in Visual Art, PreK-8, licensed by the state of Massachusetts. Amanda has experience teaching in Newton, MA where she learned how to run a TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) classroom. She is very excited to utilize this choice-based method of teaching where students have the autonomy to freely explore their ideas while also being guided through new art techniques they can use to express themselves as artists. Amanda is a multi-disciplinary artist that primarily works in photography, fibers, and natural dyeing. She enjoys spending time in nature and incorporates it into her art practice. Amanda is eager to bring her love of education and art to the Pincushion Hill community.
Alison Gott
Science Teacher
Alison Gott has had an interest in nature and science since she was a young child. She helped with science classes at Natick Summer Academics as a kid, worked at veterinary clinics as a teen, went to Umass Amherst…
Alison Gott has had an interest in nature and science since she was a young child. She helped with science classes at Natick Summer Academics as a kid, worked at veterinary clinics as a teen, went to Umass Amherst to study Biology, worked in a biotech lab with genetically modified fruit flies, and runs a variety of after-school and summer science enrichment classes. She enjoys gardening for wildlife and fostering animals.
Alyssa LaCoy
Assistant Teacher
Alyssa joined Pincushion in 2021. She has over five years’ experience working with children aged 2 to 6 in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Kenya. She received a B.S. in biology from St. Lawrence University…
Alyssa joined Pincushion in 2021. She has over five years’ experience working with children aged 2 to 6 in Massachusetts, New York, California, and Kenya. She received a B.S. in biology from St. Lawrence University in 2016 with an additional concentration in music and visual art. Alyssa is a passionate Montessori educator who looks forward to encouraging peace and independence in our classrooms each day.
