Rose Bohmann (Children's House Teacher) grew up in Southwestern Ohio, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Dayton, Ohio. She worked in various areas of the graphic arts and printing industry, including operating a small printing press. In 2001, she joined the New York City Teaching Fellows Program, earning her Masters in Education and Teaching in a K-8 school in the Bronx for two years.
After leaving New York City in 2003, Rose began teaching in early childhood settings, including a year with a Head Start program in Catskill, New York, and two years at a Montessori Day Care in Albany. Her interest in Montessori teaching goes back to her early days in Ohio, where a friend sent her children to a Montessori preschool. Impressed with the poise and coordination they learned there, Rose began reading about the method during her teacher training in New York, and has since participated in several weekend-length Montessori training programs.

Emmy Bowser-Dadak (Elementary Teacher) grew up on the east coast of Massachusetts where her interest in nature and science began (while exploring the natural landscape and seashore around her). Since moving to the Berkshires she has taught environmental topics (wetland biology, field observation) math, and science in public schools. In the non-profit sector Emmy has advocated for youth services, science and art programs, taught art activities, and helped with the collaborative start-up of two community gardens. She has worked with toddlers, preschool to middle school age children and the elderly and has learned a lot from all ages. Emmy earned her degree at MCLA with a B.A. in Biology and Fine Arts, Graduate Language Study (with Louisa Moats, Greenwood Institute, Putney, Vt.) and Special Needs, K-8th. Currently Emmy is enrolled at Montessori Educators International for the Elementary Teacher 's Training. She is thrilled to be part of The Montessori School of the Berkshires and to be part of a community that holds forth the virtues of being kind and respectful to one another and to our land.

Joey Chernila (Children's House Lead Teacher) received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM, and has been working in early childhood in the Berkshires for the last four years. This is his second year teaching at the Montessori School. Joey particularly relishes exploring the visual arts and picture books with our early childhood students. His at-home interests include cardmaking, papercrafts, and silkscreening, as well as spending time with his wife and two children. Joey can often be found at looking for children’s books at tag sales around the county

Todd Covert (Head of School) comes to the school from Berkshire Hills Regional School District where he taught language arts, social studies, and science for seven years. Prior teaching in public schools, Todd was the Director of Education and Outreach for the Mississippi Office of National Audubon Society. He brings with him a variety of outdoor and experiential leadership experiences ranging from ropes courses to leading trips. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and M.S. in Environmental Education. He has a Massachusetts elementary teaching license and is also a licensed administrator. He has his elementary Montessori teacher training as well as a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership.

Aaron Eliassen (Elementary Assistant) is a graduate of Hampshire college in Amherst, MA, with a self-designed major in psychology with a focus on empathy building.  He grew up in Cambridge, MA, and before coming to the Berkshires two years ago, worked in the Boston area for about eight years at a therapeutic afterschool program. Most recently he worked for the Lenox Middle/High school as a paraprofessional.  Aaron has worked with children in various contexts for the last ten years. He particularly enjoys doing art projects and social skills groups with children. Aaron also enjoys working with his hands and has performed handyman work in the Berkshires for the past two summers in addition to working with children. In his spare time Aaron likes to play games of all kinds, watch movies, hike in the woods, canoe, do art (especially painting, drawing and sculpture), swim, and go to the gym. Aaron and his wife Colleen also like to travel and, most recently, they honeymooned in Tulum, Mexico, where they explored a nature preserve and the ruins of a Mayan city.

Bonny Flower (Children's House Teacher) was raised in the sleepy town of pre-Norman Rockwell Stockbridge, MA.  She holds an Association Montessori International primary diploma (ages 3-6) from the Washington Montessori Institute, Washington DC. In addition, she received her BA in Sociology/Psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.  Aside from raising her four amazing children (now ages 13 to 25) and teaching in Montessori schools in Newport News, VA, Scituate and Housatonic, MA, Bonny has 10 years experience working in the photography industry where she discovered her talents in design, photography and web development.  One of Bonny's greatest passions is to see individuals reach for and achieve their fullest potential. For over 30 years she has studied with alternative healers and is certified in Reiki, Reconnective Healing, and Holodynamic Life Coaching. Her greatest commitment is to the exploration and spiritual evolution of human consciousness and the transformative power of joy.

Choral director, teacher and clinician, Dr. Andrea Goodman (Music Teacher) has been part of the Montessori family has teacher and parent since its inception. Her training in music education is from the Dalcroze school of music in New York City, and she has taught music in every conceivable pre-K through Graduate school educational setting  from New York City Public schools (LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts) to the New England Conservatory of Music. She also directs the Cantilena Chamber Choir in the Berkshires which has collaborated with Montessori children for several concerts.

Julie Haagenson (Middle School Teacher) comes to The Montessori School of the Berkshires with almost ten years experience working with adolescents.  Most recently Julie has been a head teacher at the Center Montessori Middle School Program in Bradenton, FL.  She earned her American Montessori Society Secondary I Teaching Credential from the Houston Montessori Center.  Julie also recently completed her Master's of Education specializing in Montessori Integrative Learning from the TIES Program at Endicott College.  Prior to entering the world of Montessori, Julie worked for six years with troubled teens at the Academy at Swift River in Cummington, MA.  She worked in the wilderness program, as an individual and group counselor, and finally as director of the school's service learning program based in Costa Rica.  Julie was able to incorporate her passion for working with young people with her love of travel, outdoor adventure, culture, dance, and music.  While in Costa Rica she gave birth to her twin boys, Noah and Jonah who are now three years old.  A native of Massachusetts, Julie is happy to return to New England with her family to continuing doing what she loves.

Meagan Ledendecker (Director of Education & Elementary Teacher) grew up in a Montessori school with two Montessori teachers and administrators as parents. Drawn to education work with non-profits, she pursued a M.S. in Environmental Education through the Audubon Expedition Institute/Lesley University. Meagan then began working as an Education Coordinator with The Orion Society. After teaching at the elementary level in the Pittsfield Public School system, and providing numerous professional development workshops for teachers, Meagan began pursuing Montessori teacher training after the birth of her first daughter. Although usually at the school, Meagan has been known to enjoy gardening, yoga, hiking with her dogs, and reading with a cat curled up on her lap.

Leigh Minor (Physical Education Teacher) has an extensive background in Wellness and Fitness and has held positions both as a Personal Trainer and a Health and Wellness Coordinator. In addition to biking across the United States in a fundraising effort, Leigh competed in triathlons, mountain biking and running races throughout her 20’s and 30’s. In the past, Leigh has held the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) personal trainer certification. Leigh studied Economics and Health Education at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire.

Bridgette Moore (Toddler Assistant and Afterschool Teacher) finished her B.S. in Environmental Studies with a focus on education and outdoor leadership at the University of Vermont. Her thesis focused on integrating children’s gardens into pre-school curriculum.  A local of the Berkshire Mountains, she grew up at the Darrow School in New Lebanon N.Y.  Growing up on the sight of a former Shaker village while being surrounded by educators and students gave her a special appreciation for the role of place and community in learning. She has worked as an educator for The University of Vermont’s Environmental Studies Program, UVM Children’s Center, and at both Vermont and Massachusetts Audubon. Biking, birds and gardens take up much of her day-dreaming time while in her apartment in Pittsfield; her other pursuits include painting, hiking, cooking, yoga, and spending time with her partner and their cat.

Patricia Pent (Children's House Teacher) started working with children in 1984, when she was the facilitator for Assault Prevention Program in Boston and we went around the schools speaking with children about safety. In 1989, Patricia started to work at Rainbow Montessori School in New Jersey. She then got her Montessori training and became a school administrator. She also developed a Spanish curriculum that she implemented in a number of classrooms. In 2005, Patricia had to move to Massachusetts (with no regrets) and last year started teaching here at the Montessori School and has begun to develop and implement a Spanish program. Patricia Pent has been happily married for 32 years, and for most of her married life lived in New Jersey. She has two children and two grandchildren. In her spare time Patricia enjoys camping, canoeing, boating, traveling, hiking, spending time with family and friends, as well as going on long rides and enjoying the beautiful mountains.

Barbara Pinkerton (Toddler Teacher) was raised in Cambridge, MA, where at the age of seven she decided that she wanted to become a teacher who "understands" children.  After graduating from Simon's Rock in Great Barrington she went on to train in London, England, as a Montessori Teacher for ages 2-7. Barbara is a founder of the Harborlight Montessori School in Beverly, MA . After completing her Master's Degree in Education at Lesley University she has worked throughtout the state. For the past eight years, Barbara taught at the Cambridge Montessori School and was a Toddler Teacher there for the past four years. Barbara trained at the Center for Montessori Teacher's Education in Infant and Toddler Studies. Barbara loves visits from her two grown children and friends. She lives in Housatonic with her two delinquent cats who help her with home repairs and gardening.