Faculty and Staff
Congratulations to Terrie Craig, appointed the new Assistant Director for the 2023/24 school year!
Christine Kovago
DIRECTOR
Christine Kovago is the Director and Teacher at Pincushion Hill Montessori School, now celebrating her 44th year of devotion to the children. 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.
Christine Kovago is the Director and Teacher at Pincushion Hill Montessori School, now celebrating her 44th year of devotion to the children. 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 directly 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 the Pincushion Hill community as the director for 30 years. Montessori education is a calling for Christine. Teaching and directing in a Montessori environment inspires confidence, nurtures the child’s desire for learning, discovery and social skills where we encourage, engage and value the individual child. Children learn how to learn and this prepares each child for future academic and social excellence.
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 Hill!
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. Gus has been a co-owner and Business Manager for over 30 years as of September 2023. He also ran a retail gifts and home decor business with his father from 1964-1984.
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. Gus has been a co-owner and Business Manager for over 30 years as of September 2023. He also 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.
Terrie Craig
Assistant Director
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 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 is also EEC certified by the state as Lead Teacher Preschool/Toddler/Infant and Directors 1 & 2. Terrie is returning for her seventh year at Pincushion Hill. In June of 2023, Terrie was appointed as Assistant Director to work alongside Chris Kovago, Lisa Wyman and Alison Petersen. Terrie’s main priority is to provide a safe and appropriate environment. She will work closely with all educators as a support person which includes curriculum, classroom management, social/emotional skills and other various training throughout the year. Terrie will also work closely with families.
Terrie has a life-long love of learning and the desire to instill this in young children, while developing their sense of self. In 2022 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.
Lisa Wyman
BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Lisa Wyman is Pincushion Hill’s Business Manager and she is celebrating her 20th year at Pincushion Hill. The community is extremely grateful for Lisa’s devotion to Pincushion Hill. 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 20th year at Pincushion Hill. The community is extremely grateful for Lisa’s devotion to Pincushion Hill. 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 fifth 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 fifth 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 completed the Montessori Overview course at the Northeast Montessori Institute in the summer of 2022. Alison has 15 years experience working in public, private, Jewish day and Montessori schools. She loves running, being outside, watching sports and spending time with friends and family.
Our Teachers
Geetha Rajapakse
Mainback Children’s House Teacher
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She is returning for her seventh year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School and is looking forward to teaching alongside Sarah Jones and Sunita Mahalaha. She received her Pre-Primary Montessori Training in 2019 from KHT Montessori.
Geetha is a qualified Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka and EEC certified. She is returning for her seventh year at Pincushion Hill Montessori School and is looking forward to teaching alongside Sarah Jones and Sunita Mahalaha. She received her Pre-Primary Montessori Training in 2019 from KHT Montessori. She has experience teaching infants through Kindergarten age for over 20 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.
Sarah Jones
Mainback Children’s House 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 Eastern Connecticut State University.
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. Sarah completed the Montessori Overview through the Northeast Montessori Institute. She fell in love with Montessori education and is excited to return to the Mainback Children’s House classroom for the third year. Sarah enjoys baseball, reading, warm weather, the company of her greyhound (Luna), and rabbit (Sebastian).
Sunita Mahalaha
Mainback Children’s House Teacher
Sunita started at Pincushion Hill in 2019 and has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dean College. She’s taken additional courses in child growth and development, classroom behavior management, early childhood education and sociology of the family.
Sunita started at Pincushion Hill in 2019 and has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dean College. She’s taken additional courses in child growth and development, classroom behavior management, early childhood education and sociology of the family. Pincushion Hill sponsored Sunita to begin her Montessori training in the summer of 2022 and has graduated from The Northeast Montessori Institute program in May of 2023. She completed her Montessori Early Childhood certification at the Northeast Montessori Institute. Sunita is proficient in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Sunita has two children whom she loves dearly. She loves traveling the world and enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and arts and crafts.
Alyssa LaCoy
Downstairs Children’s House Teacher
Alyssa joined Pincushion in 2021 and is excited to return and teach with Charmaine DeBay and Camryn Roberts. She has over six years’ experience working with children ages 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 arts. In the summer of 2022 Alyssa completed the Montessori Overview course through the Rising Stars program with Martha Monahan.
Alyssa joined Pincushion in 2021 and is excited to return and teach with Charmaine DeBay and Camryn Roberts. She has over six years’ experience working with children ages 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 arts. In the summer of 2022 Alyssa completed the Montessori Overview course through the Rising Stars program with Martha Monahan. Pincushion Hill sponsored Alyssa to attend and complete her Montessori Early Childhood Training at the New England Montessori Training Center with Bonnie Lamothe and her astute Montessori team. When she is not training she has been preparing the Montessori environment, developing curriculum, working with the team and setting up the classroom for the upcoming school year. Alyssa is a passionate Montessori educator who looks forward to encouraging peace and independence in the classroom each day.
Charmaine DeBay
Downstairs Children’s House Teacher
Charmaine is joining the Pincushion Hill team with 15 years of experience educating children. She is EEC certified to work with infants, toddler and preschool-aged children. In previous years, she worked as an elementary teacher, a substitute teacher, bilingual tutor and a child care provider.
Charmaine is joining the Pincushion Hill team with 15 years of experience educating children. She is EEC certified to work with infants, toddler and preschool-aged children. In previous years, she worked as an elementary teacher, a substitute teacher, bilingual tutor and a child care provider. Charmaine’s focus is to help children reach their full potential by providing an individual Montessori learning environment for each child. She believes the role of a teacher is to facilitate learning and build a connection between theory and practice. Charmaine believes children represent hope for the future of society. Outside of work, Mrs. DeBay enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, dancing and playing ukulele. She loves the beach, working out and going for a walk with her husband. She is fluent in Tagalog and Kimaray – a native dialect.
Camryn Roberts
Downstairs Assistant Teacher
Camryn is excited to join the Pincushion Hill team. She has educated children ages toddler through eighth grade for many years. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts/Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and a sculpting background.
Camryn is excited to join the Pincushion Hill team. She has educated children ages toddler through eighth grade for many years. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts/Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and a sculpting background. She believes in fostering positive social development, promoting individual learning styles and cultivating courtesy in a welcoming environment for children. Her hobbies are reading and hiking.
Michelle Tate
Music Teacher
After school music classes with Michelle will involve singing, dancing, instruments, LOTS of movement and even more fun! Each class will feature music from AROUND the WORLD, instruments to share, dances to do inside outside on sunny days, and songs and chants where your child’s ideas will be nurtured and incorporated.
Michelle has been a member of many choirs, bands, and musical ensembles, and directed the children’s choir at her church for several years. Michelle’s love of music introduced her to Music Together® as a parent in 2002, which inspired her to become a registered teacher in 2003. In July 2010 she was awarded the Music Together® Certification I designation by the program’s co-founder, Dr. Lili Levinowitz, for outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy and parent education. She has also been featured in many training videos for Rhythm Kids®. Michelle is the lucky mother of three wonderful children, wife to her soul mate, companion to many varied pets, and is attempting to teach herself the ukulele, guitar, bodhran, accordion and kalimba. Michelle is passionate about world music and aspires to infuse a broad range of world music experiences and joy into her classes.
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 is returning for her second year at Pincushion Hill. Amanda has experience teaching in Newton, MA where she learned how to run a TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) classroom.
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 is returning for her second year at Pincushion Hill. Amanda has experience teaching in Newton, MA where she learned how to run a TAB (Teaching for Artistic Behavior) classroom. She utilizes 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 so excited for another year to work with Pincushion Hill’s young artists.
