About Us

Little City Montessori offers children two to six years old an integrated approach to Montessori education that enhances individualized exploration with structured physical activity.

Little City Montessori is licensed by the State Board of Private Academic Schools (PAS), which is a distinction earned after a panel review of the academic curriculum and teacher credentials. We are proud to offer a licensed Kindergarten program.

Our program continues children’s education throughout the day by giving them space, activities and physical instruction. With dedicated access to the Little City Activity Center, we believe it’s time to think outside the blocks—because when children are active throughout the day, they are more open to learning. 

Little City Montessori is member of the American Montessori Society.

Director of Operations

Devon is a lifelong learner. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in Early Childhood Education, and a Pennsylvania Director Credential in Early Childhood Leadership. She also earned an Infant & Toddler Montessori Certification from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education and she is currently pursuing a Montessori Administrator Credential from West Side Montessori’s Teacher Education Program in New York.

She has held various positions within educational settings including assistant teacher, lead teacher and director. Being well versed in both administrative and teaching roles, Devon aims to provide thoughtful guidance for children and educators. 

In her personal life, Devon finds joy in everyday activities. She embraces strength training, culinary creativity in her kitchen, and inner peace through self-reflection and meditation. DIY home projects serve as her creative outlet, while her close-knit family brings her ultimate happiness.

Assistant Director

Gabriella (she/her) is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University, where she specializes in Special Education with a focus on Learning, Cognition, Instruction, and Development. She also holds a M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Cognitive Psychology from Rutgers University.

Prior to joining LCM, Ella was an Assistant Teacher and served on the admin team at The Hollingworth Center -- an internationally recognized school at the Teachers College of Columbia University.

Beyond academia, Ella is an accomplished lacrosse player earning High School All-American Honors and a Division 1 scholarship. She lives in South Philly and enjoys spending time with her two Persian cats and snowboarding.

Assistant Primary Teacher

Laura is an Assistant Teacher in Little City’s Primary Program. She is currently in the internship phase of her AMS training at Chestnut Hill College. She received a Master of Arts in Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor's Degree in English Studies. She also has her PA Secondary English teaching certification and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate. 

In her spare time, Laura loves creating new Montessori materials to meet the needs and interest of her children. Her favorite is a series of materials for introducing children to the oral language of digital logic gates. When not immersed in Montessori, Laura enjoys photographing nature, hiking, singing, and hunting for old kitchen tools and out of print children's books for her classroom. 

Assistant Primary Teacher

Blake is an Assistant Teacher in Little’s Primary Program and the Primary Aftercare Lead. Blake has been working with children for over five years, beginning with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, then The Franklin Institute, and most recently Liberty Lake Day Camp. Originally from Indiana, Blake graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Theatre with a focus on acting.

Blake brings his fun and creative energy to Little City. Besides theatre and working with children, he also enjoys hikes, cooking, and watching historical documentaries.

Co-Lead Primary Teacher

Hala is a Co-Lead Teacher in Little City’s Primary program. She has an extensive Montessori background, along with 20+ years of Toddler and Early Childhood teaching experience. Her Montessori journey extends back to childhood when her parents opened their own Montessori school in Baton Rouge, LA, which she attended through 5th grade. Hala has received AMS training through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education and is working toward earning her Early Childhood Montessori Credential.

Hala is passionate about bringing Montessori into the home, which she implements in her day-to-day life as a parent. She believes in celebrating each child’s individuality and following their interests to help them pursue their dreams, understand their important role within their community, and become peaceful, considerate, contributing members of society and innovative thinkers of the future.

Hala lives in the neighborhood with her husband, five-year-old daughter and dog. She loves to dance and has a special place in her heart for ballet. In her spare time, she enjoys searching for treasures at antique shops and thrift stores (once upon a time, she owned a vintage clothing store). She loves going to the beach and spending time outdoors with her family.

Co-Lead Primary Teacher

Haisha is a Co-Lead Teacher in Little City’s Primary program. She is AMS-certified and has over a decade of experience in education, including seven years dedicated to Montessori. She has witnessed firsthand how the Montessori philosophy empowers children to explore and learn at their own pace while fostering independence and a love for learning.

Haisha’s diverse background in both private and public sectors has equipped her with valuable insights into the needs of children and how to support their success both at home and school. She is particularly fond of the Cultural and Botany curricula and has previously developed a year-long gardening program tailored to Early Childhood students. She enjoys witnessing the learning process unfold as children discover the wonders of gardening and explore the world around them. She firmly believes that these experiences not only deepen children’s understanding of the natural world but also enrich other aspects of their education.

Associate Primary Teacher

Nasira (she/her) is an associate teacher in Little City's primary and aftercare program. She is originally from Philadelphia and most recently completed her studies at Temple University. Nasira has worked with students for over eight years, beginning in public school education and most recently, at a school for children with autism. She finds joy in guiding young minds to be independent and compassionate beings.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and tending to her garden, which is sourced from other local Philadelphia gardeners.

Lead Primary Teacher

Jennifer is a Lead Teacher in Little City’s Primary program. She fell in love with the peaceful and multi-age Montessori classrooms as well as the Montessori philosophy's focus on independence and intrinsic motivation when her two daughters enrolled in a Montessori school from toddlers through middle school. The positive impact that a Montessori education has had on her own family motivated Jennifer to leave her career in the pharmaceutical industry and embark upon her second (and extremely purposeful and meaningful career) as a Montessorian.

Jennifer has had the joy of being a Montessori parent and volunteer, a Board Trustee (at a suburban Philadelphia Montessori school), an Assistant Teacher, and a Lead Teacher in a primary classroom in Princeton, New Jersey. Jennifer received her BS in Business Administration from Bucknell University and her AMS Montessori Early Childhood credentials from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. When not in the classroom, Jennifer enjoys shopping at local bookstores, walking on the beach or hiking in the mountains, attending Barre classes (as a former amateur ballerina and performer, she cannot stay out of dance studios), and spending time with her husband, daughters, and two cats, Pearl and Roo.

Assistant Primary Teacher

Alena is an Assistant Teacher in Little City’s Primary program. She earned her Bachelor's in Child and Family Studies from Fu Jen Catholic University and is a certified teacher in Taiwan. She returned to the States for her Master’s in Early Childhood Education and graduated in 2023 from Chestnut Hill College, where she received her AMS Montessori teacher certification. 

Alena was born in Virginia and grew up in Taiwan. She enjoys leading various activities with young ones, especially as an art teacher, baking instructor, and a Chinese tutor! Before moving back to the US, Alena had experience working in both Chinese and English-speaking Montessori schools. She previously worked as a primary teacher in Philadelphia Chinese Academy, a Chinese Immersion Montessori School.

Associate Primary Teacher

Zoe is an Associate Teacher in Little City’s Primary Program. She has been working with children for four years - at a Cornell University summer camp, as a Watershed Educator through the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program in Vermont, and most recently in a daycare setting outside of Ithaca, New York. 

Zoe loves being outside, whether that is going on walks, hikes, or bike rides. She also spends a lot of time cooking new recipes, reading, and doing the NYTimes crosswords. 

Co-Lead Toddler Teacher

Morgen is a Co-Lead Teacher in LCM’s Toddler program. She completed her AMS Infant & Toddler Montessori credential through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. She brings endless creativity, originality and imagination to Little City. Coming from a career in the fashion industry, Morgen realized her passion for education when she discovered the Montessori method. She has seen firsthand, not just in the Toddler classroom but with her own children who are in the Primary and Toddler classrooms, how the Montessori philosophy has benefitted them in discovering their independence and tenacity for learning.

Morgen grew up around kids and participated in the Big Brother Big Sister programs, in addition to volunteering for the Head Start program. She is a transplant from the West Coast, now residing in South Jersey with her husband and three children. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and being by the water. She is most content when creating, crafting, and cooking. 

Co-Lead Toddler Teacher

Elizabeth is a Co-Lead Teacher in Little City’s Toddler program. She has an extensive Montessori background, along with 20 years of Toddler and Early Childhood teaching experience. Her Montessori journey extends back to childhood when her mother was introduced to Montessori and shared her learnings with the family. Elizabeth has received AMS training through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education and is working toward earning her Infant/Toddler Montessori Credential.

Elizabeth is passionate about bringing Montessori into the home, which she implements in her day-to-day life as her husband is also a passionate Montessorian! She believes in children’s ability to be determined learners and fiercely independent leaders in their communities.

Elizabeth recently relocated from Jersey City, NJ with her husband, four-year-old son and dog. She loves to do yoga and practiced her entire pregnancy until the day before her son was born. In her spare time, she enjoys baking banana bread and learning how to cook. She loves going to the beach and spending time at various farms on the weekends with her family.

Associate Toddler Teacher

Emily is an Associate Teacher in LCM’s Toddler program. She comes to Little City from a career in Communications and Social Media Marketing. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts from Kutztown University, she worked at various marketing firms throughout Philadelphia. After a few years, she felt ready and excited to transition to a career in Montessori.

Emily knew that becoming a Montessori teacher was the right choice for her after studying its philosophy. She encourages her students to be creative and enthusiastic about learning every day. In her spare time, Emily loves to travel, paint, thrift, and explore the amazing city of Philadelphia.

Lead Toddler Teacher

Tamera is a Lead Teacher in Little City’s Toddler Program. She has six years of teaching experience and has spent the past year leading a Toddler classroom at Wilmington Montessori School. She is in her last year of Infant/Toddler Montessori training at the Montessori Institute of Teacher Education in West Chester.

Tamera attended Cabrini University, where she earned a B.S. in Educational and Religious Studies and a M.Ed in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

Tamera was born and raised in West Philadelphia, where she currently lives with her four-year-old daughter. She enjoys dancing, skincare, reading, and visiting museums.

Associate Teacher

Alyssa is an Associate Teacher supporting the Toddler and Little City Aftercare Program. She was previously a teacher and Spanish tutor in Philadelphia and has worked with children ages two to 14 years old. Alyssa believes in the importance of teaching independence and fostering creativity and individuality in children. She lives in Philadelphia with her daughter and encourages Montessori learning both in the classroom and at home.

Lead Toddler Teacher

Camila is a Lead Teacher in Little City’s Toddler Program. She earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Montessori Infant/Toddler Credential. Camila was born and raised in Colombia. She is a fluent Spanish speaker and incorporates foreign language into the daily routine.

Camila has been living in the Philadelphia area for the last ten years with her partner, Luis, their three dogs, and now their daughter, Athena. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and spending time with family.

Associate Teacher

Kelsey is an Associate Teacher supporting Toddler and Primary classrooms and the Little City Aftercare Program. She has spent the better part of the last 10 years working seasonally on organic farms moving about twice a year and getting to live in various places all over the country. Kelsey is originally from South Jersey and attended college in Greensboro, NC. She has worked with children for many years and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy and approach. Kelsey enjoys writing, gardening, sewing and hiking with my dog Frankie.

Associate Teacher

Maddie is an Associate Teacher supporting Toddler and Primary classrooms and the Little City Aftercare Program. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Theater Studies and a concentration in Acting. She has been working with children for the past eight years through summer camps and classrooms in Ohio, Maine, and now, Philadelphia.

When not in the classroom, Maddie loves to bake, embroider, and spend time with her friends.

Associate Teacher

Ellen is an Associate Teacher supporting both the Toddler and Primary classrooms, as well as the Aftercare Program. She is a Philly native, who has also had the pleasure of exploring the world with her husband and two daughters. 

Ellen brings four years of childcare experience, with a range of roles in different classrooms and programs. While attending Susquehanna University, she served as a Teacher’s Aide at a local intermediate school. She later worked as a Child and Youth Program Assistant in Okinawa, Japan, where she worked closely with children of Active-Duty service members and Okinawan children, intertwining traditional teaching with the idea of supporting children’s growth and natural interests through independent exploration and hands-on learning. Recently, she held the position of Assistant Teacher at Paley Early Learning Center.

Ellen took a hiatus from working in the classroom to prioritize her time as a mom and is now excited to rejoin the Early Childhood Education field. In her free time, Ellen enjoys being with her family and friends, hosting book club events, attending comedy shows, and developing a passion for hot sauces. She considers herself quite the hot sauce connoisseur!

Dance and Sports Guide

Adrianne has performed around the country from New York to Las Vegas as a dancer, competitive gymnast and professional actor for over 20 years. Starting as a commercial kid, she transitioned over to voice overs, soap operas, off Broadway, television and film. After graduating Hofstra University with a BA in Dance on scholarship, Adrianne moved to Queens, New York, where she performed professionally, taught at senior centers, youth outreach programs, and competition studios. She traveled the country with a dance competition and convention as emcee, judge and master teacher.

Adrianne has a great love of animals and even spends time working with the carraige horses here in Philadelphia. She loves teaching dance at Little City and celebrating special occasions together every weekend.

Christina has been teaching parent/child music classes and preschool classes for the past 3 years all over the greater Philadelphia area! She had the privilege of training with and working under Tammy Keorkunian's award-winning program, Children's Music Express (CME).

Her love of music has fueled her passion to share it with children at this pivotal age in order to instill an early love and appreciation for the arts, as well as an easy way to develop language, cognitive skills, dexterity and so much more. Music is life! Outside of the classroom, you can find Christina leading her 7-piece band, Miss Cantaloupe, recording music, cooking vegan food and sharing her life with her partner, cats and plants in South Philadelphia. 

Sensei

Sensei Brandon H. Blake started his martial arts journey at 13. He holds black belts in Uechi-Ryu & Shobushido-Ryu jujitsu. Sensei Blake has trained with some of the premier martial artists in the Philadelphia area & across the country. Using Uechi-Ryu (Waychee-Roo) as his main style to teach, Sensei has exposed hundreds to the martial arts for over 25 years. He has experience teaching children as young as three years old to senior citizens in the later stages of life.

Gymnastics Guide

Dana is a former nationally ranked gymnast with over twenty years of experience coaching gymnastics to preschool children. She is the owner and operator of Tumble Tots, a traveling gymnastics class that explores movement concepts in a safe and positive learning environment. 

She loves sharing her knowledge and passion about gymnastics and child brain development through physical movement. Dana believes all children learn at different paces, therefore activities are individualized to give each child a chance to develop to their greatest potential.