ASM's Team

Maria Behnke, Teacher, 2022-present

Born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, Maria holds a B.A. in Political Science with an Art History Minor and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Ohio University. She first found a love for teaching as a college Logic instructor at OU more than a decade ago. She moved to the Boston area in 2012 to become the Executive Director for an academic non-profit in Harvard Square. Most recently she has spent the last 7 years working directly with young children up through the middle school years. Maria enjoys spending time with her young daughter going on adventures and eating amazing food. She also enjoys running half marathons and weight lifting — as well as playing trivia, and rooting for her favorite sports teams. Maria can’t wait to bring her enthusiasm for teaching and learning, along with her different experiences into the multi-age classroom (Willow) this year!

Susan Burns, Teacher, 1998-present

Sue is certified as a Montessori Infant Toddler and Early Childhood teacher. She taught in ASM’s Children’s House for 5 years before joining the administrative team as Director of Children’s House. Fall 2016 marks Sue’s return to the classroom as lead Kindergarten teacher. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development from Lesley University. Prior to coming to ASM, Sue taught at the Rockingham County Montessori School and was an owner of the Casa Dei Bambini Montessori School. Her interests include yoga, gardening and spending quality time with friends and family.

Gina Devenish, Teacher, 2021-present

Gina has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in Liberal Arts, with a concentration in Theatre from Westfield State University. She is currently pursuing her Montessori certification and has her PreK – 2nd grade MA teaching license. Gina has extensive experience working with young children of various ages. In her spare time, Gina enjoys coaching for a local baseball team (The Boston Renegades), getting involved in theater wherever possible whether that’s performing or directing, playing with her dog Nayla, and being a member of the Salisbury Lions Club.

Danielle Gaudet, Teacher, 2015-present

Danielle holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Endicott College and a Masters Education. She attained her Montessori training from Northeast Montessori Institute. Previously, Danielle was a head early childhood counselor at the Mass. Audubon Society, where she taught children about animals and nature. She is excited to bring her love of nature into the classroom. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Jeannette Joseph, Teacher, 2023-present

Jeannette joined ASM in 2019 as a teacher in the After School Care program. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Red Maple classroom as a Lunch/recess Assistant.  Jeannette has also been a substitute teacher in our Children’s House classrooms and a teacher in our Children’s House Summer Program. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pondicherry in India and a Diploma in Office Automation. Jeannette’s hobbies include cooking and gardening and she loves to listen to music and spend time with her kids.

Vaishali Sabnis, Teacher, 2023-present

Vaishali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Willingdon College in India and received her AMS Montessori Certificate in Early Childhood 3-6 through Northeast Montessori Institute in 2020. She started her teaching career in India with private tutoring classes and continued her passion for teaching in the United States. Prior to ASM, Vaishali worked at Keystone Montessori School and Oak Meadow School as an assistant teacher before joining Guidepost Montessori as a lead teacher. She loves traveling with her mom, husband, and two daughters, listening to Indian music, and leading her own event-management company.

Kellie Scarelli, Teacher, 2018-present

Kellie holds a B.S. in Family and Community Studies from Merrimack College and an A.S. in Early Childhood Education from Northern Essex Community College. Over the past 5 years, Kellie has worked in the After School Care program, the Summer Program and taught dance enrichment classes at ASM. In her spare time she loves dancing, listening to music, doing yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Alesa Smith, Teacher, 2019-present

Alesa holds a B.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art and a diploma in Preschool Education from the North American Progressive Montessori Teacher Training Program. She most recently worked in Haverhill Public Schools as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Alesa previously taught at New England Montessori School in North Andover for 12 years.

Patricia Stokes, Teacher, 2002-present

Pat holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lowell State College and an M.Ed. with an Early Childhood Focus from Endicott College. In the education field for over forty years, Pat received her Montessori 3-6 certification at the Northeast Montessori Institute. She also earned her Responsive Classroom I and II certification from Northeast Foundation for Children. Pat is a member of the First New Hampshire Regiment, a living history group and one of the founding members of the Windham Garden Club. During the summer she teaches Red Cross swimming. Pat is enjoying her role of being a grandparent.

Ellen Wilson-Fox, Teacher, 2022-present

Ellen holds a B.A. in General Fine Arts and Early Care and Education (double major) from Stonehill College and a M.Ed in Integrating the Arts from Lesley University. She is certified in Montessori 3–6 year-olds and is finishing her 6-9 year-old certification with Seacoast Montessori. She is also endorsed by Gordon College in Sheltered English Immersion. For the past two years Ellen has been an assistant in a Lower Elementary classroom at Harborlight Montessori. She also worked three years as an Instructional Assistant at Hillview Montessori Charter Public School in Haverhill.

Stephanie Guarino, Teacher, 2021-present

Stephanie has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Gordon College, as well as a B.A. in Linguistics and a Minor in Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She worked for a year at My Montessori of Woburn as a teacher’s aide, and two and a half years working at the Goddard School as a preschool teacher. Stephanie is thrilled to be back at Montessori and with the ASM team. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, spending time with her pets, and baking.

Stephanie Lebouef, Teacher, 2021-present

Stephanie has thirteen years of teaching experience working with elementary students. She graduated from California State University Fullerton in 2006 with her B.A. in Liberal Studies. She has taught first through fourth grade in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recently taught second grade in Hudson, New Hampshire. Stephanie is NAMC Montessori certified and has taught Lower Elementary for 6 years. She loves spending time with her son, Gavin. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys going to the park, swimming at the lake and river, being outside in nature, and traveling, when possible. She is so excited to get to know the Lower Elementary students!

Chris Manganaro, Teacher, 2021-present

Chris holds a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Salem State University and a B.A. in English from Framingham State University. he is currently pursuing his Montessori certification. Chris worked at Newbury Elementary School for 7 years in many different capacities including After School Program Assistant and Instructional Assistant. He also worked as a substitute teacher in the Peabody, Lexington, and Belmont school districts, allowing him to see how many school systems operate. Chris has worked with children from PreK to 6th grade. He is excited to work in a Montessori school for the first time as he loves to learn about different ways of teaching. In his spare time, Chris enjoys reading, listening to audiobooks, cooking, and cross-stitching.

Sarah O’Brien, Teacher, 2004-present

Sarah holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She has Montessori Certification for Lower Elementary. Prior to coming to ASM, Sarah taught for three years at the Kingsley Montessori School and eight years at Pincushion Hill Montessori School. Sarah enjoys being a mom and spending time with family and friends as well as scrapbooking.

Kady Mosby, Teacher, 2021-present

Kady holds a B.S in Place-Based Education from Plymouth State University. She is currently pursuing her Montessori certification. Kady has worked in a Montessori setting for several years. Her dream is to help children develop a curiosity and competency for learning which will carry them throughout life. A highly-skilled writer and educator, her writing has been featured in Plymouth Magazine, a bi-annual magazine that highlights exemplary scholars at Plymouth State University. In her free time, she writes essays and free verse poetry. She looks forward to helping students see that writing provides a powerful voice, it gives us a glimpse into what life might be like for others, and it allows us to joyfully play with language.

Bill Sisk, Teacher, 2023-present

Bill Sisk graduated from Northeastern University with a MA in Political Science and SUNY Albany’s Rockefeller College with a Ph.D. in Public Policy. After several years of teaching government, history, and research methods to college undergraduates and graduate students at SUNY and Fitchburg State, Bill worked at the Pike School where he discovered a passion and excitement for working with children. At Pike he taught nearly every subject, including math, science, writing, history, and Spanish to students ages five to fourteen years old. Bill is passionate about civic engagement, social justice, and environmental sustainability. He also has many hobbies and talents, including playing guitar, numerous sports, and baby-sitting his dog niece Halo and his dog nephew Fitz. Bill is looking forward to beginning his Montessori-certification training this summer and joining the ASM team for the 2023-24 school year.

Cameron Slaby, Teacher, 2022-present

Cameron holds a B.A. in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an M.A. in Hispanic Studies from Boston College. Prior to joining ASM, she taught for six years in the Middle School and Elementary classrooms at Williamsburg Montessori School in Williamsburg, VA. Outside of school she enjoys baking, knitting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Emily Brawley, Maternity Leave Substitute , 2023-present

Emily holds a B.S. in Biology from Emmanuel College, and is also endorsed in Sheltered English Immersion. Prior to joining ASM, she worked with special education students as a STEM liaison, and as a ninth grade biology teacher where she developed her passion for creating lessons and games that engage students in scientific content. Her hobbies include crocheting, spending time in nature, and learning new languages. Emily is excited to join the team at Andover School of Montessori and share her passion for all things science!

Nina Greenwood, Short-term Substitute , 2023-present

Nina received a B.A. in International Relations from Wheaton College in 2021. She has been a teacher’s assistant in a 5th grade classroom and has tutored high school students in essay writing and math. Nina also tutors extensively in Mandarin (Chinese), working with children ages 2 – 17 and adults of all ages. She is passionate about international affairs and is excited to guide the students and share her knowledge in this subject area. In her free time, Nina loves to travel and most recently visited China, Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai, and Qatar.

Barbara Orlowitz, Math and STEM Teacher, 2014-present

Barbara began her tenure at ASM in 2014 as the Director of Elementary and Middle School. In 2020, she became the Assistant Head of School, and in July, 2023, Barbara became the Head of School.

Barbara received her Secondary I Montessori certification from Washington Montessori Secondary Education Program and attended the Montessori Seacoast Center for Education where she participated in a three week seminar for the elementary math program. She holds an M.Ed in Education Administration from University of Massachusetts Lowell, and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and a B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University. Barbara came to ASM after twelve years at Oak Meadow Montessori School where she taught math and science and expanded her role to include leadership positions such as Program Level Coordinator,  Director of Secondary School Placement and Co-chair of Oak Meadow’s AISNE/AMS accreditation team. With almost twenty two years of being a Montessori educator, Barbara has cultivated a deep passion for guiding and nurturing students and is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, helping each student thrive academically and emotionally. Barbara enjoys yoga, walking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Richelle Records, Math, Science and STEM Teacher, 2018-present

Richelle graduated from Stonehill College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Elementary Education, then moved on to get her M.Ed from UMass Boston. She has worked in the Boston area for the past six years, teaching middle school math and science at two different schools. Richelle is extremely passionate about the environment and working with students in the STEM field. She has a love of life-long learning and wants to share that with everyone. Her hobbies include traveling to new places, working on her hobby farm, gardening, reading, and all kinds of outdoor activities from hiking and kayaking to rock climbing and skydiving.

Danica Skoric, Humanities Teacher, 2022-present

Danica graduated from Dominican University with a B.A in Humanities and Cultural Studies in 2017. As an undergraduate, she was selected to present psychology research and her thesis at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Danica flew to Boston from California in search of opportunities in the field of education. Throughout the pandemic, she was mentored by 5th and 8th grade teachers at Shady Hill School in the Teacher Training Center program. Subsequently, Danica graduated from Lesley University with a M.Ed in Middle School Humanities in 2021. She believes every student has an abundantly rich imagination and the potential to create meaningful change in our interconnected world. Danica’s hobbies and interests include: riding her bicycle, spending time with friends and family, reading fiction and poetry, and exploring new foods and cultures.

Cameron Slaby, Spanish Teacher for Upper Elementary and Middle School, 2022-present

Cameron holds a B.A. in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an M.A. in Hispanic Studies from Boston College. Prior to joining ASM, she taught for six years in the Middle School and Elementary classrooms at Williamsburg Montessori School in Williamsburg, VA. Outside of school she enjoys baking, knitting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Kelley Meade, Physical Education Teacher, 2023-present

Kelley has an Early Education Certification for Massachusetts, a B.S. in Business Administration and Management from Franklin Pierce College, and an Associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism from Bay State College. She has a diverse background in physical activity. Kelley is a Lifetime Achiever Spin Instructor through Madd Dog Athletics, competes in Spartan Races, and has more than 25 years of experience in the fitness industry ranging from dance, aerobics, yoga, weight lifting, and CrossFit training. Kelley looks forward to sharing her diverse background with ASM students. 

Kelley has worked for ASM for the past fourteen years in various roles, and both of her children graduated from the school. Kelley enjoys spending time with her family, concerts, hiking, biking, skiing, and cooking.

Andrea West, Art Teacher, 2013-present

Andrea holds a B.F.A. in painting and a B.A. in Art History from Boston University. She also earned an M.A. in Teaching in the field of Museum Education from The George Washington University. After spending many years developing education programs for notable museums, Andrea strove to combine her passion for art and working with children and became certified to teach visual arts. She most recently served as the art teacher for grades K-8 at Hill View Montessori Charter Public School, in Haverhill, for 6 years. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys singing, being outdoors and spending time with her family.

Megan Witkowski, Music Teacher, 2021-present

Megan holds a bachelorʼs degree in Music Studies (Education) from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. During her education, she worked as a volunteer teacher with the Lowell String Project, teaching students how to sing in an ensemble setting and encouraging discovery through musical play and experimentation. Post graduation, Megan worked as a counselor at Running Brook Day Camp in Waltham, where she frequently lead different musical games and activities. In her spare time, Megan enjoys hiking, playing the flute, baking, running, and playing with her two dogs. She is very excited to be teaching at ASM and hopes to spread her love of music to the students!

Veronica Wood, Spanish Teacher for Children’s House and Lower Elementary

Senora Veronica was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. She holds a degree in Child Psychology from the Catholic University of Quito and a Master’s in Business Administration from the IDE Business School. In Ecuador, Veronica worked for several years as a School Psychologist for grades one through six. In 2000, she moved to the United States where she began teaching Spanish and funded her own language program, More Than Spanish, which is currently used in several schools and children’s centers throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Veronica believes strongly that all children should have their first exposure to a second language as young as possible, and is dedicated to discovering new and innovative strategies that will engage and enrich young learners. Whether teaching or consulting, Veronica is an enthusiastic educator who continues to share both the joy of learning and an appreciation for language and culture with all her students and clients. She is a member of MaFLA (Massachusetts Foreign Language Association), and ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

JoAnne Belanger, Administrative Assistant, 2021-present

JoAnne holds a B.S. in Business from Salem State College. She comes to ASM from the corporate world, having worked at several Fortune 500 companies over the last 30 years. JoAnne’s career began in customer service, answering phones for a growing distributor. She has also worked in sales, account management, and sales management. While raising her family, JoAnne became involved with schools; loved being a part of a school community and felt she had a lot to contribute. She loves spending time with her family, entertaining, working in her yard, and spending time in Maine.

Nicole Brooks, School Nurse Manager, 2022-present

Nicole holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Southern New Hampshire University. She graduated from nursing school in 2015. While in nursing school she worked as a nurse associate on a liver and kidney transplant unit. Her first RN position was a camp nurse for children with disabilities in Boston. She then worked as an adult & pediatric home care nurse but quickly made her way back to the transplant unit. After seven years on the transplant unit she wanted to expand her skill set in critical care by working in the post anesthesia care unit. She is very excited to be working with children again and is inspired by the Montessori philosophy. Nicole enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors with her family, and a book that is hard to put down.

Courtney Cooper, Learning Specialist, 2023-present

Courtney holds a B.A. in Human Development from Wheelock College, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from American International College, and an MS in Literacy from University of New England.  Courtney has worked as a classroom teacher at various independent schools across the North Shore. She brings to the classroom a love of learning and student connection.  Courtney finds joy engaging with students in meaningful ways through conversation and exploration.  She believes that through this discussion, she can reach students on a deeper level and can help them access their full potential.  Courtney lives in North Andover with her husband and three young daughters.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.

Michelle Finno, Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing, 2015-present

Michelle holds a B.S. in Business Communications and an M.S. in Marketing Analytics from Bentley College (now Bentley University). She spent 17 years in college admissions at her alma mater before joining the ASM community. Michelle completed the Montessori Early Childhood Overview course in 2021. She enjoys working with families as they navigate the process of finding a school that is the right fit for their child. In her spare time, Michelle spends time camping, staying fit and connecting with friends and family.

Anna Kritselis, Information Technology, 2008-present

Anna holds a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester University and an M.S. in Information Systems from Northeastern University’s College of Engineering. Anna has 20 years of experience in a variety of systems-related and management level positions in the private sector. She currently provides IT consulting services to Montessori schools, including Oak Meadow Montessori, Keystone, Pincushion Hill and Shrewsbury Montessori School.

Jeff Kulis, Facilities Manager, 2016-present

Before coming to ASM, Jeff worked for American Alarm. Prior to that, he spent 13 years in the Emergency Response industry as an EMT and Supervisor. Jeff is an avid amateur photographer and spends his free time hiking with his wife and chocolate labrador, Indy.

Shannon Lavelle, Director of Finance, 2019-present

Shannon holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a Certificate of Accountancy from Bentley University and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Massachusetts. She has worked for over 20 years in the accounting field in both the public and private sector, with her most recent years spent at a non-profit college. In her spare time Shannon enjoys being with her family, skiing, gardening and reading.

Jillian Nazzaro Hodges, School Nurse, 2023-present

Jillian graduated from University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Upon graduation, she started her career on a medical-surgical floor that specialized in Liver and Kidney transplants at Lahey Clinic. Jillian worked there for 19 years. She was an adjunct nursing instructor teaching Clinical to nursing students. Most recently she started working as a school nurse for an elementary school in Haverhill and also at ASM. She has also worked as a nurse in a summer program for middle and high school students with social and developmental needs. 

Jillian is mother to five children. When she’s not busy with her children’s sports and activities she loves to spend time with her friends and family, traveling, exercising and taking her dog for walks.

Barbara Orlowitz, Head of School, 2014-present

Barbara began her tenure at ASM in 2014 as the Director of Elementary and Middle School. In 2020, she became the Assistant Head of School, and in July, 2023, Barbara became the Head of School.

Barbara received her Secondary I Montessori certification from Washington Montessori Secondary Education Program and attended the Montessori Seacoast Center for Education where she participated in a three week seminar for the elementary math program. She holds an M.Ed in Education Administration from University of Massachusetts Lowell, and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and a B.S. in Engineering from Purdue University. Barbara came to ASM after twelve years at Oak Meadow Montessori School where she taught math and science and expanded her role to include leadership positions such as Program Level Coordinator,  Director of Secondary School Placement and Co-chair of Oak Meadow’s AISNE/AMS accreditation team. With almost twenty two years of being a Montessori educator, Barbara has cultivated a deep passion for guiding and nurturing students and is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment, helping each student thrive academically and emotionally. Barbara enjoys yoga, walking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Danielle Statires, Director of Development and Communications, 2023-present

Danielle holds a B.S. in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an M.S. in Social Work as well as an M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from Wheelock College. She has been a Development professional for 10 years. Prior to joining ASM, she was the Director of Development at the American Heart Association. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, piddling around in the garden and taking her pup for long walks.

Michelle Toppi, Director of Children’s House, 2022-present

Michelle holds a BFA with a photography major from the Massachusetts College of Art. She also received her Montessori Early Childhood 3-6 certification from the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education. She has nearly twenty years of experience in Montessori classrooms from coast to coast. A Boston native, Michelle had returned to Boston to teach at Kingsley Montessori School where she also held the leadership role as Curriculum Coordinator for the Early Childhood program. In her spare time Michelle enjoys exploring with her daughter Beatrice and partner Anthony, cuddling her kitties, meditation, quilting, and gardening.

Sarah Young, Director of Elementary and Middle School, 2021-present

Sarah has five years of teaching experience working with elementary students. She graduated from Stonehill College in 2016 with a degree in Education and Studio Arts and went on to Merrimack College to obtain a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She spent three years teaching 2nd through 4th grade at a sub-separate program for students with severe disabilities in Methuen MA. During this time, she also served as the Curriculum Leader for the program. Prior, Sarah taught K-1 in Needham MA. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys going to the beach, listening to music, and painting. She is very excited to be part of the ASM community!

Esin Seref Dibirdi, Board member since 2018

Esin is an Engineering Services Manager at F5, a provider of Application Delivery Networking. She has over a decade of leadership experience serving as leader of QA, development, customer support and infrastructure services delivering software and cloud based services in global organizations. Esin holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a M.S. in Computer Science. “Being one of the outnumbered women in technology, I am passionate about STEM. In a world moving towards AI and automation, I cannot think of a better organization than ASM to give our children the foundation to help them gain the skills to separate them from the crowd. Being on the Board gives me the opportunity to serve our children and this great school.”

Elyse Chase, Board member since 2022

Elyse spent the first 10 years of her career in early childhood education, working in independent schools in various roles including teacher, admissions coordinator, and assistant director. She is currently working in development at Northeastern University. “As an alumna, ASM holds a very special place in my heart. Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without the kind, supportive guidance of the teachers and administration at the school. ASM provided me with an individualized education that encouraged and supported exactly who I was while still providing me with challenges and opportunities for growth. The experience and education I received at ASM gave me a strong foundation that I know will allow me to be successful in whatever path I choose. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors, and to give back to the school that has given me so much.”

David Neshat, Board members since 2023

David is the Vice President of Internal Audit, Global Expansion, and the Treasurer of Akamai Technologies. He has extensive experience in all aspects of financial management, with expertise in treasury, internal controls, investor relations, M&A, and reshaping finance operations. David has served on many non-profit and for-profit boards, including most recently Openeye Scientific. David earned his M.S. degrees in both Economics and International Business from Luleå University of Technology, in Sweden. He wrote his M.S. thesis in Economics in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Having lived in four continents and five countries, speaking more than three languages, I have come to appreciate many different cultures and the benefits of diversity. We therefore love the fact that our daughter is in a school that offers not only a strong curriculum, but a diverse student body. I’m humbled to serve on the board and hopefully can add value to the future strength and growth of ASM.”

Jocelyn Pan, Board member since 2021

Jocelyn has been in the financial services industry for 20+ years at Fidelity Investments, partnering with clients in providing retirement benefits to their employees. She has responsibility for partnering with Product Development, Retail, Phone Center and Technology teams to bring best in class services to clients. “We are so lucky to have found ASM. Our daughter can’t wait to get to school each and every day. The partnership we have found between fellow ASM families and faculty has been astounding. I am a proud ASM parent and privileged to serve on the Board of Directors to help continue the great work of our school.”

Louisa Proctor, Board member since 2023

Louisa has 15+ years of experience as a senior HR leader in the technology and SaaS space. She has extensive experience in learning and development, management and leadership development, talent management, employee engagement, DEI strategy, and other people-focused functions, scaled for growth and expansion. Louisa graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Business Administration and Economics. She is the founding partner of a breast cancer awareness and action non-profit called Season For Squeezin’, and also a registered yoga teacher at HOME Yoga in Andover. She lives in Andover with her husband, two kids and their golden retriever. “I am a proud ASM parent and incredibly grateful for the experience my two kids have had here. I am excited to use my skills and background to further the mission of this amazing school.”

Monalisa Shroff, Board member since 2018

Monalisa has over 20 years of experience in strategy, financial planning & analysis, forecasting & budgeting, business analytics, accounting, and operations management. Monalisa is currently working as the CFO for Freight Farms Inc, a vertical hydroponic growing company based out of Boston. Prior to Freight Farms, Monalisa worked as a financial executive for companies in several industries spanning ecommerce, consumer goods, publishing, financial services, energy conservation and agricultural technology. In addition to her professional work, Monalisa serves as the Treasurer for a local non-profit organization focused on opening education opportunities to female students of color. Monalisa received her B.S. in Finance & International Business from the University of Bridgeport, CT and her M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, NY. “I can honestly say enrolling our son into ASM has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. Watching our son thrive here under the care of such amazing teachers has been truly rewarding. I am so grateful to have found the ASM community. I am hoping my corporate experience in finance and operations will allow me to add value to the Board and contribute to the school’s growth and development”.

Jessica Yu, Board member since 2022

Jessica has over 20 years of experience in accounting and auditing. Jessica started her career in public accounting at PwC in Boston, focusing on Biotech and Pharmaceutical clients. She then moved onto various internal audit roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific and TJX Corporation working on designing and implementing internal control environments. She is currently working as a Revenue Controller for Philips Healthcare based out of Cambridge MA. Jessica has B.S. in Accountancy from Bentley University and M.S in Accountancy from Northeastern University. Jessica and her husband Andrew have been part of the ASM community since 2017 when their oldest child started in Children’s House. “I am a proud parent of ASM and a strong promoter of Montessori education. I hope to use my background to contribute to further strengthen this wonderful community”.