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 16th 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 16th 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 Red Sox!
Alison Brooks
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Alison is excited to be joining the Pincushion team! 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 excited to be joining the Pincushion team! 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 brings with her 10 years of experience working in public and private education as well as directing an academic summer camp for seven years. In her latest role as Student Support Services Administrative Assistant at Maimonides School, she discovered her passion for administration in the field of education. She loves running, practicing yoga and spending time with friends and family. Alison is looking forward to being a member of the Pincushion community.
Our Teachers
Geetha Rajapakse
CHILDREN'S HOUSE TEACHER
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She has had experience teaching infants through Kindergarten age for over 15 years. She also has experience…
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She has had experience teaching infants through Kindergarten age for over 15 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. 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 Montessori training at the Harborlight Montessori School in Beverly. Outside of work, Terrie enjoys poetry and reading, hearing live music, hiking and camping, going to the beach, watching the Patriots, and spending time with family and friends.
Lavanya Vabai
CHILDREN'S HOUSE TEACHER
Lavanya Vabai has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Post Graduate Diploma in Mathematics which she has received in India. She also holds a certified degree in Montessori…
Lavanya Vabai has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Post Graduate Diploma in Mathematics which she has received in India. She also holds a certified degree in Montessori Early Childhood issued by the American Montessori Society and Master’s in Education from Gordon College, Massachusetts. Lavanya has been teaching Montessori Curriculum for the last 9 years and strongly believes Montessori’s educational emphasis on a practical and fun-filled learning environment truly makes learning easier. She also works at Lexington Singapore Math School as an after school Math Teacher. She enjoys teaching and always gets fascinated by how fast children can learn through their own experiences and interests. Her hobbies include cooking different cuisines, gardening, enjoys music and movies, and spending time with family. She recently moved to Hopkinton and is very excited to be a part of the team and teaching at Pincushion.
Sunita Mahalaha
CHILDREN'S HOUSE TEACHER
Sunita received her A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Dean College, and she is currently working to complete a B.S. in Psychology.
Sunita received her A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Dean College, and she is currently working to complete a B.S. in Psychology. She has spent the last 15 years working as a teacher at various schools, along with being mother to her two college-age children. Sunita has developed a valuable skill set which she is excited to bring to Pincushion. Sunita is EEC Lead Preschool Teacher and First Aid certified. Some of Sunita’s hobbies include traveling the world, gardening in her backyard, cooking Indian food, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to coming in everyday and having the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of young children.
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.
Olivia Mechanic
Children’s House Assistant Teacher
Olivia Mechanic is a recent graduate of Keene State College. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree…
Olivia Mechanic is a recent graduate of Keene State College. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Women and Gender Studies. Before joining Pincushion she gained many critical skills in early childhood education by working in outdoor education camps, student teaching, as well as working part time at a Montessori preschool in Keene, NH. When she is not in the classroom she enjoys going on hikes, camping, being outdoors, making art, and cooking. She is looking forward to learning more about the Montessori method and being a part of the Pincushion Hill community. She is excited to get to know each child and help them grow!
Becky Negrone
Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher
Becky is a mother, licensed special educator, and a certified children’s yoga instructor.
Becky is a mother, licensed special educator, and a certified children’s yoga instructor. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Moderate Special Needs. Becky taught within the Newton Public Schools for ten years, prior to having children of her own and opening a small children’s center. The Mindful Child is a center for social emotional wellness located in North Framingham. Her mission is to help cultivate every child’s potential. Through the use of the known benefits of yoga and mindfulness, Becky encourages children to love themselves, face their fears, and lead heart-centered lives with pride and courage. She is so pleased to be bringing her yoga enrichment program to the Pincushion Hill Community.
Matthew Caporale
MUSIC TEACHER
Matthew attended the Berklee School of Music as a professional music major with concentration on education…
Matthew attended the Berklee School of Music as a professional music major with concentration on education and performance. He has been working with children of all ages for about 8 years, focusing on both ensemble and group classes as well as private instruction. Matthew has worked as music director aboard various cruise ships as well as leading groups and ensembles in the Boston area. He stays active in the musical community teaching privately and performing on a regular basis.
Erica Adelson
SPANISH TEACHER
Erica is our new Spanish Instructor, and she will be teaching Spanish to students in all of our classrooms.
Erica is our new Spanish Instructor, and she will be teaching Spanish to students in all of our classrooms. Erica is a Massachusetts native who has loved learning languages since she was a child. She began studying Spanish in middle school and soon added French, eventually becoming a tutor in both languages. In college, she complemented her language studies with Arabic and found a new focus. After serving as an Arabic tutor on the college staff, she graduated from Smith College with a major in Arabic & Middle Eastern Studies and a minor in Spanish. Erica continued teaching privately after college. In her current role as Assistant Director of RoLa Languages in Cambridge for the past 4 years, she teaches English, Spanish and French from preschool to adult age.
Tracy SanAntonio
PE TEACHER
Tracy SanAntonio is presently the owner and lead instructor of a mobile sports company named Itty Biddy Sports.
Tracy SanAntonio is presently the owner and lead instructor of a mobile sports company named Itty Biddy Sports. She has been the physical education specialist at Pincushion Hill Montessori School for 12 consecutive years now. In this capacity, she has worked with students ranging from the Children’s House through Elementary, Grade 6. Tracy has also taught after-school enrichments at Pincushion. She is a true advocate for health, fitness, and positive self-esteem and believes that all of these objectives can be achieved through the body in movement in an uplifting and enriching environment. She has four children and enjoys going to the beach whenever her busy schedule allows.