Faculty & Staff IMS classrooms are taught by a dedicated team of Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers. Our Lead Teachers are Montessori Certified, or are in their training process, either through the American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori International (AMI). Their Montessori experiences provide the secure foundation on which the school’s curriculum is based.
Nido | Walnut Room
Heather Talada
Lead Guide (Walnut)
Heather Talada is the Lead Guide in the Walnut Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She holds a degree in Educational Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood and is currently pursuing a Montessori-Based Postpartum Doula Certification, expanding her commitment to supporting children and families from the very beginning.
Heather’s experience in education is wide-ranging and deeply rooted in service. She has volunteered with San Antonio Youth Literacy, tutored third graders, worked at a school-age summer camp, and spent over two years at Tioga Downs Daycare—first as a lead infant teacher, then as a manager. These experiences have shaped her belief in nurturing the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically—through respectful, supportive relationships with families.
Now living in Ithaca with her partner, Sav, and their beloved cats, Heather enjoys thrifting, gardening, and getting lost in a good book.
Nesiah Lee
Assistant Guide (Walnut)
Nesiah Lee is an Assistant Guide in the Walnut Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She began working with children at the age of 14, gaining early experience as an afterschool and summer camp assistant. Nesiah’s interest in Montessori education was sparked during her time at Buffalo Street Books, where she met children attending Montessori schools and learned about the unique philosophy and approach.
Inspired by Montessori’s emphasis on independence and hands-on learning, Nesiah is eager to deepen her understanding and grow alongside the IMS community. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and love for working with children make her a wonderful addition to the Walnut Room team.
Toddler | Hickory Room
Anna Olson
Lead Guide (Hickory)
Anna Olson is the Lead Guide in the Hickory Room at Ithaca Montessori School. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Anna moved to Ithaca in August 2020, where she now lives with her fiancé and their two cats, Max and Ruby.
Anna discovered her passion for early childhood education during a student teaching placement at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from Syracuse University. Since then, she has been committed to nurturing young learners through intentional, child-centered teaching. Anna holds both a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and an Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification.
Before leading the Hickory Room, Anna spent three years teaching in the Willow Room under the mentorship of Heather Peluso. She brings warmth, creativity, and deep respect for children’s growth and independence to her role.
Outside the classroom, Anna enjoys reading, journaling, cooking new recipes, and exploring Ithaca’s natural beauty on walks. A lifelong music lover, she also enjoys singing and playing piano and guitar.
Leah Slattery
Assistant Guide (Hickory); Lead Guide (Toddler Afterschool)
Leah Slattery is an Assistant Guide in the Hickory Room at Ithaca Montessori School, where she has been a valued member of the team since June 2022. She brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for working with young children.
Leah has two years of experience supporting children from infancy through age six in both school and summer camp settings. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature, with plans to continue her education in Special Education—a field she feels deeply passionate about.
Outside of the classroom, Leah enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and attending theater productions. Her creativity, nurturing spirit, and dedication to children’s growth make her a wonderful presence in the Hickory Room.
Leanne Russo
Assistant Guide (Hickory and Toddler Afterschool)
Leanne Russo is an Assistant Guide in the Hickory Room, supporting the toddler afterschool program at Ithaca Montessori School. She holds a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Nazareth University, where she developed a deep understanding of child development and a passion for supporting growth at every stage of life.
Leanne brings a warm, thoughtful presence to the classroom and values the Montessori approach for its respect for each child’s individual journey. Her background in occupational therapy enriches her work with toddlers, helping to create an environment where children feel safe, engaged, and empowered.
Outside of school, Leanne enjoys spending time in nature, reading, listening to live music, and exploring different crafts and creative projects.
Gina DeAngelo
Assistant Guide (Hickory) and Montessori Intern
Gina DeAngelo is an Assistant Guide in the Hickory Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She holds a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in Education from Binghamton University and brings over a decade of experience working with children in a variety of educational and caregiving settings.
Gina’s passion for Montessori education began while working as a substitute teacher at a Montessori school in Buffalo, NY, where she was drawn to the philosophy’s emphasis on independence, respect, and hands-on learning. She is currently pursuing her Infant/Toddler Montessori certification through the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education to deepen her practice.
Gina lives in Binghamton, NY, with her fiancé Alex, their child Sonny, and their dog Winston. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.
Toddler | Oak Room
Yoko Roy
Lead Guide (Oak)
Yoko is the lead Guide in the Oak Room. Yoko was previously the lead teacher of the toddler Hickory Room. Yoko began her journey at Ithaca Montessori School in 2004! Yoko was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. There she studied journalism at Bunka Gakuin college and was an editor of a women’s magazine for fifteen years. Yoko moved to the U.S. in 1999 and started at IMS as an Assistant Teacher in the Primary Program. After one year, she found her passion working with Toddlers and is now a lead teacher in our Toddler Program. She received her certification from the Montessori Infant/Toddler training at the Princeton Center for Montessori Teacher Education in 2008. She lives in Trumansburg with her two daughters, Naomi and Emma.
Emily Diamond
Assistant Guide (Oak); Lead Guide (Toddler Afterschool)
Emily was born and raised in Interlaken, NY, and is a proud graduate of South Seneca High School. She continues to live in Interlaken with her parents, younger sister, and four beloved cats, commuting daily to Ithaca. Emily earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from Cazenovia College as part of the school’s final graduating class in 2023.
Her passion for working with children began in 2015, shortly after high school, when she became an au pair for a family in Dryden. Over eight years, she helped care for their three children, forming a lifelong bond with them. Though the family has since moved to South Carolina, Emily still visits her “second family” whenever possible.
After graduating from college, Emily discovered Ithaca Montessori School and was immediately drawn to its nurturing environment and respectful, child-centered philosophy. She is currently pursuing her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and hopes to begin Montessori lead training for toddlers in the near future.
In her free time, Emily enjoys singing, reading historical romance novels, listening to true crime podcasts, watching sitcoms, and cuddling with her cherished cat, Max.
Toddler | Willow Room
Faten Houssia
Lead Guide (Willow)
Faten Houissa is the Lead Guide in the Willow Room at Ithaca Montessori School. Originally from Tunisia, Faten moved to the United States in 2001 and brings a rich cultural and linguistic background to her work—she speaks Arabic, French, and English fluently.
Faten’s passion for early childhood education began in her own childhood, growing up in a large family where she naturally gravitated toward caring for younger children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, a certificate in writing professional emails and memos, and earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in 2023. She has completed Montessori Beginnings training for infants and toddlers and is currently pursuing her Montessori certification through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education.
Before entering the early childhood field, Faten spent over a decade teaching Arabic and French at Ithaca College and also taught Arabic at Cornell University. She now brings that same dedication and care to her work with young children, fostering their growth through curiosity, respect, and connection.
Faten lives in Ithaca with her husband and is the proud mother of two daughters—Deena, a graduate student, and Angie, an undergraduate student. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to audio series, and cooking.
Jasmond Johnson-Pratt
Assistant Guide (Willow)
Jasmond Johnson-Pratt is an Assistant Guide in the Willow Room at Ithaca Montessori School. Originally from Lansing, NY, Jasmond brings a calm, compassionate presence to the classroom and a deep love for working with young children.
She is currently pursuing her Montessori Assistant Guide Certification through Princeton Montessori and has previous experience working with children on the autism spectrum at TST BOCES. Her passion for early childhood education began at a young age while babysitting for cousins and family friends, and it continues to grow through her daily work in the Montessori environment.
Jasmond is married and the proud mother of two children, Gracyn and McKinley. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, fishing, and spending quality time with her family. A devoted animal lover, she shares her home with two cats and six reptiles, all of whom she adores.
Primary & Kindergarten | Elm Room
Tara Conklin
Lead Guide (Elm)
Tara Conklin is the Lead Guide in the Elm Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Lock Haven University and is certified in Early Childhood Montessori education. Since joining IMS in 2019, Tara has brought warmth, dedication, and a deep respect for the Montessori philosophy to her work with young children.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Tara is one of nine siblings and treasures her close-knit family. She now lives in Ithaca with her husband and children, whom she absolutely adores. A true nature and animal lover, Tara finds joy in the simple things and loves spending quality time with her family above all else.
Tara was drawn to early childhood education by the Montessori approach, which honors the individuality of each child and emphasizes hands-on, respectful learning. Her nurturing presence and commitment to creating a peaceful, supportive environment help children thrive both socially and academically.
Morgan Clayman
Assistant Guide (Elm)
Morgan Clayman is an Assistant Guide in the Elm Room at Ithaca Montessori School. A lifelong learner with deep roots in the Ithaca area, Morgan is passionate about fostering curiosity and joy in early childhood education. After growing up locally and attending Cornell University, she rediscovered her love of working with children through her role at the childcare center at the Tompkins County YMCA.
Morgan recently completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in June 2023 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her previous roles include working as a barista, library clerk, and supporting youth literacy through her local public library—experiences that continue to inform her nurturing, community-oriented approach in the classroom.
Morgan is continually inspired by the growth and humor of the children she works with, finding joy in watching their personalities develop and sharing in their daily discoveries.
Outside of school, Morgan enjoys reading, gardening, cooking for her loved ones, and taking pottery classes. You can often find her knitting or journaling in one of Ithaca’s many beautiful parks.
Brooke Willer
Assistant Guide (Elm); Lead Guide (Primary Afterschool)
Brooke Willer is the Lead Guide for the Primary Afterschool program and an Assistant Guide in the Elm Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Education from Ithaca College, where she cultivated her passion for understanding how children grow, learn, and thrive.
Originally from Buffalo, NY, Brooke brings over five years of experience working with children of all ages through her role at a youth sailing summer camp, where she developed a love for mentoring young people in dynamic, hands-on environments.
Brooke is drawn to Montessori education for its focus on independence, respect, and whole-child development. She brings calm, creativity, and enthusiasm to every interaction, whether she’s supporting children in the classroom or guiding them in afterschool exploration.
In her free time, Brooke enjoys being on the water—sailing or swimming—along with reading, making art, and listening to music.
Morgan Kerr
Assistant Guide (Elm and Primary Afterschool)
Morgan Kerr is the Assistant Guide in the Elm Room at Ithaca Montessori School. A lifelong Ithaca resident, Morgan has always been inspired by the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes and feels deeply connected to the community and landscape that shaped them.
Morgan brings a diverse background to their role, with over two years of experience working with children in both outdoor and classroom settings, including preschool, middle, and high school students. Their passion lies in the power of learning through play and the joy, curiosity, and creativity that children bring to every space. Prior to returning to early childhood education, Morgan also spent time working in the welding field, but was drawn back to their true calling—supporting young learners in flexible, nurturing environments.
Morgan joined IMS in June 2024 and is excited to continue fostering a sense of wonder and exploration in their classroom. Outside of school, they love hiking with their dog, exploring local trails, and building fairy houses along the way for the next adventurer to discover
Primary & Kindergarten | Pine Room
Shahista Anwar
Lead Guide (Pine)
Shahista Anwar is the Lead Guide in the Pine Room at Ithaca Montessori School. She brings over seven years of experience working with children ages 4 to 15 and is passionate about supporting each child’s growth with patience, creativity, and care.
Shahista holds an Early Childhood Montessori Certification from the West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program, as well as a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She has completed two years of college and is actively working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education to further deepen her knowledge and practice.
Outside of the classroom, Shahista enjoys cooking, walking, and hiking—activities that reflect her calm and grounded approach to teaching.
Caroline Silva
Assistant Guide (Pine)
Caroline Silva is an Assistant Guide in the Pine Room at Ithaca Montessori School and has been part of the IMS community since October 2021. She brings both compassion and structure to her role, drawing from a strong foundation in early childhood development and a background in supporting youth through challenging life circumstances.
Caroline holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and has previous experience working with at-risk youth at The William George Agency for Children’s Services. Her combined expertise in child development and youth advocacy enriches her work in the Montessori environment, where she is dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and nurturing space for all children to grow.
Primary & Kindergarten | Maple Room
Katya Mulcahy
Lead Guide (Maple)
Katya Mulcahy is the Lead Guide in the Maple Room at Ithaca Montessori School. A dedicated early childhood educator, Katya began her journey in the field at the age of 13 through babysitting and working as a summer camp counselor for both the NYS Sheriffs’ Association and the Boy Scouts of America. She joined IMS in October 2022 as an Assistant Guide in the Oak Room and has since transitioned to the Elm Room and now leads the Maple Room to continue her professional growth as a Montessori primary teacher.
Katya is a proud Newfield native and has been committed to early childhood education throughout her career. She completed the BOCES Early Childhood Program in 2015 and earned her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood from Tompkins Cortland Community College in 2017. She has worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, taught upper elementary special education, and most recently served as a lead infant teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
In the classroom, Katya brings warmth, creativity, and a strong belief in the importance of building trusting, respectful relationships with children. She speaks both English and Spanish and is teaching herself American Sign Language to better support diverse learners.Outside of school, Katya is a talented musician, writer, and photographer. She loves spending time with her close-knit family—including her parents, sister, nephews, and a large extended family—as well as enjoying books, movies, and time with friends. Fun fact: Katya has been blind in one eye since birth and is a wealth of surprising knowledge about pigs—just ask!
Suzanna Homrighaus
Assistant Guide (Maple)
Suzanna Homrighaus is an Assistant Guide in the Maple Room at Ithaca Montessori School and has been part of the IMS team since August 2022. With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Suzanna brings a nurturing, steady presence to the classroom and is deeply committed to supporting young children during their most formative years.
She earned her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2017 and has worked in a variety of early learning environments. A proud mom to 10-year-old twins, Suzanna understands the importance of building strong, supportive relationships with both children and families.
Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and expressing her creativity through scrapbooking.
Substitute Teachers
Cheyenne Andrews
Cheyenne Andrews is a Substitute Guide at Ithaca Montessori School, bringing with her a rich and varied background in education and human services. With several years of experience, she has worked with diverse populations—from adolescents in high-needs environments to young children in Early Head Start programs—always guided by a deep passion for supporting others.
Her professional journey has included roles as an educator, counselor, and briefly as a peace officer in corrections, each one reinforcing her commitment to helping individuals and communities thrive. Cheyenne’s true passion lies in early childhood education, particularly in nurturing children from birth to age six during the most formative years of their development.
She is thrilled to be part of the IMS community and looks forward to fostering growth, joy, and discovery in the classroom—while continuing to learn and grow alongside the children she serves.
Administrative Team
Pamela Weatherby
Program Director and Head of School
Pamela Weatherby has been a dedicated member of the Ithaca Montessori School community since 1999. She earned her Primary Montessori Certification from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New Rochelle, NY, in 2001. With over a decade of teaching experience at the Primary level and more than nine years in leadership roles, Pam has served as IMS’s Head of School for nearly five years.
Her educational background is in Human Services with a specialization in Early Childhood Education, which informs her compassionate and child-centered approach to leadership. Pam is happily married to her husband, Casey, and together they have three children—Morgan, Maelin, and Hayden—who have all been proud IMS students.
In her free time, Pam enjoys spending quality moments with family and friends, traveling, camping, engaging in outdoor activities, and nurturing her garden.
Heather Peluso
Education Director
Originally from Cheektowaga, NY, a suburb of Buffalo, she has called Ithaca home for the past 25 years. Heather lives here with her husband, Josh Peluso, two daughters, Sydnie and Reese, and golden retriever, Codder. When she is not in the classroom, she can usually be found cheering on her daughters at their sporting events.
Her journey into early childhood education began after college, following a brief stint in retail. She started as an Assistant Teacher at IC3 at Kendal and has since worked in a variety of settings— including a large childcare center, home daycare, and as both a teacher and Director at a nursery school. In 2020, she completed my Montessori Infant and Toddler Guide training through CGMS, and she holds a CDA certification in Early Childhood. She graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2000 with a BS in History.
Finding the Montessori philosophy and the warm community at Ithaca Montessori School has been the most rewarding chapter in her career—and she is proud to call it her final stop in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Elizabeth Kendzerski
Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth grew up on her family farm in northeast Ohio, spending a large portion of her childhood outdoors with her 3 siblings and many pets. When not playing outdoors, she could be found with her nose in a book, playing guitar or piano, or at her local theater. Since age 13, Elizabeth has had the privilege of performing in over 25 productions, both locally and at regional venues such as Playhouse Square and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Elizabeth graduated from Hiram College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2023 and relocated to Ithaca, New York in May of 2025.
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys singing, acting, and dancing, spending time outdoors, reading, and relaxing with her cat, Penny Lane (aka Gremlin). Elizabeth has always been an avid reader, cinephile, and theatre goer. Never one to turn down an opportunity to engage with nature or art, Elizabeth was drawn to Ithaca for its abundance of natural wonders and opportunities both to create and consume art in various forms.
Elizabeth is honored to work with the wonderful teachers, administrators, parents, and children at Ithaca Montessori School and is excited to make Ithaca her home.
