Faculty and Staff
Administration
Erica Douglass, Executive Director
Erica Douglass has been the Director since 1994. Her affiliation with the Ocean State Montessori School (OSMS) began in 1991 when her oldest child started as a three-year old. Erica received her American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood Credential from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2001 and has several years of teaching experience in addition to her experience as Head of School. During her tenure the school has grown from 55 students to over 100 and has added elementary and middle school classrooms as well as vacation and summer camps. Erica has a BS in Dietetics from the University of Vermont as well as a MS in Administration from the MGH University of Health Professions.
Montessori Teaching Staff
Amy Healey, Wee Threes Lead Teacher
Amy Healey first joined our school as a teacher in 2003. After spending a few years at home with her family Amy rejoins our teaching staff in 2008. Amy received a BA in English and Communications from Fairfield University. She recieved her AMS Early Childhood Credential and a M.Ed. from New York University/West Side Montessori School-Teacher Education Program. Amy's two children are enrolled in our school.
Amy Andrews, Primary Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Amy Andrews has been a Montessori teacher for over 12 years. Prior to coming to the OSMS in September 2000 Amy taught at the Bedford Montessori School in Bedford, MA. Besides her teaching responsibilities Amy also holds the position as Curriculum Coordinator for the Primary and Wee Threes classrooms. Amy received a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and her AMS Early Childhood Credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in NY. In addition to teaching young children Amy is also a teacher at the New England Montessori Teacher Center where she is the Sensorial instructor for adults taking the training to become Montessori teachers.
Betsy Facincani, Primary Lead Teacher
Betsy Facincani began her career at the OSMS as a Teacher Assistant in a Primary classroom. Betsy fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and when a Lead Teacher position became available she went to the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center and received her AMS Early Childhood Credential in 2004. Betsy became a lead teacher in her own classroom in September 2004. Betsy has a BA in English from Tufts University and a Master of Library Science from SUNY-Albany.
Leah Galligan, Primary Lead Teacher
Leah Galligan has been involved with the OSMS since 2000 when her daughter started as a three-year old. Through her involvement as a parent Leah became more interested in the philosophy and began her training at the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2005. Leah received her AMS Early Childhood Credential in June 2006 and assumed the Lead Teacher position of her own class the following September. Leah has a BA in French Literature from Boston University. Both of her children are currently enrolled at our school.
Kathy Winston, Lower Elementary Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Kathy Winston has been a teacher at the OSMS since 1988. Kathy received her AMS Early Childhood credential from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center and was a Primary Lead Teacher for ten years. In 1999 Kathy became the Lead Teacher for our newly opened Lower Elementary program. In addition to being the Lower Elementary Lead Teacher, Kathy is also the Curriculum Coordinator for our Elementary and Middle School programs. Kathy attended the Seacoast Center for Education where she received her certification for Elementary I (2000) and Elementary II (2003). In the state of RI Kathy has achieved the status of Life Professional Teacher of Early Childhood (PK-2) and Life Professional Teacher of Elementary (grades 1-6). Kathy has a BS in Elementary Education from the College of White Plains and a MEd in Elementary Education from Worcester State College.
Courtney LeClaire-Conway, Upper Elementary Lead Teacher
Courtney joined our faculty in February 2008 as an assistant in the Lower Elementary classroom and was immediately intrigued by the Montessori method and materials. Courtney has a BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College with concentrations in Italian and Design. Courtney is enrolled in the Montessori Elementary II Teacher Education Program at Seacoast Center for Montessori Education and will complete her training in July 2010.
Lis Swain, Middle School Teacher
Lis rejoins our OSMS faculty in September 2010 after a year in Saipan. Lis is the founding teacher of our Midddle School program, which opened in September 2007. Prior to coming to our school Lis taught for several years at Quest Montessori. Lis has a BA in Theatre Education from Sarah Lawrence University and has worked with All Children's Theatre. Lis attended Seacoast Center for Montessori Education where she received her Elementary I certification. Lis completed the North American Montessori Teacher's Association Orientation to Adolescent Studies in 2005.
After-School Programs
Linda Gobin has been a member of our school for 20 years. Prior to becoming the lead teacher in the Children's Room, Linda was an assistant in a Montessori Primary classroom.
Laura Halm assumed the position of Site Coordinator for our Prime Time afterschool program in July 2009. Laura first joined the OSMS staff in August 2007. She was the assistant in the Upper Elementary classroom prior to assuming this new position. Laura has a BS in Elementary Education from Keene State College
Brittany Rousseau is our Director of Summer Camp. Brittany is an alum of OSMS and has worked at our vacation and summer camps for years, first as a CIT and then as a full-fledged counselor. Brittany has a BA in Elementary Education-Mathematics from RIC. Brittany was a cast member with Up With People and enjoyed traveling the world with this global educational program.
Additional Staff
Our teaching staff is supported by a wonderful team of dedicated assistants:
Elly Dacosta
Cammy Los
Cheryl Masaroco
Cathy Poole
Turenne Beauvais
Melissa Metivier
Cristina Ondis