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Our School
The Directors
School Accreditation
Teacher Education
The Classrooms
Employment Opportunities
Turtle River Montessori is situated in a 9,000 sq foot facility encompassing classrooms,
administrative offices, outdoor play space and gardens, all securely
maintained and professionally designed for an optimal Montessori
experience. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by our friendly
administrative staff located in the reception area, where you'll
sign in as a visitor. As we walk with you down the hall past
the classrooms, you'll be struck by the colorful order of student
cubbies and classroom parent/teacher bulletin boards while
delighting in the gentle hum of happy children. Your attention will
be captured by the sight of students engaged in meaningful
activities, and you'll be fascinated, as most parents are, by
children working purposefully and independently at the many centers
provided in each room.
Spacious classrooms are graced with large windows
to allow the light to pour in, exterior doors to the outdoor
activity areas, restrooms, carpeted circle areas, child-sized tables
and chairs, a library with seating and numerous shelves holding the
art, practical life, language, math and sensorial materials.
Our large playground has an exciting assortment of kid-friendly
equipment, including slide, jungle gyms, swings, playhouses,
sandbox, gardens and ample room to run. Attached to a
sheltered patio, our outdoor areas offer an inviting environment to
all ages. We hope you'll come and experience our exceptional
facility
for yourself!
 Bharati "Bubli" Dandiya
Founder Bubli Dandiya opened the doors of Turtle River Montessori School in the
fall of 1995 as one of the 5 families who had a clear vision of what she wanted
for her two daughters who were 3 and 8 at the time. Ms.
Dandiya has a Master's degree in English literature and has
taught Montessori in New York and Florida. She has a deep conviction that
children deserve an environment that will fully develop their intellectual,
physical, social, emotional and inner potentials. Inspired by her two
girls, Pia and Sonia, she had a vision of creating an environment where children
were respected and loved, where there is utmost respect for the
child, and where the child is empowered to build herself on all
levels.
Her strong belief that
a child can thrive beautifully in this type of Montessori
environment led her to found the school on the premise that in order for children to reach their potentials
they must be surrounded by positive energy which fosters their
confidence and self esteem, both of which are key to a strong
foundation of their sense of self. This in conjunction with a
3-dimensional and hands-on curriculum ensures a well rounded
child who has been exposed to a variety of experiences at an early
age.
In her current role as Director, Ms. Dandiya
continues to strive to fulfill her dream for Turtle River
Montessori, building on the school community of students, teachers,
parents and local supporters to create the warm and welcoming
pre-school and elementary experience she envisioned over ten years
ago.
Lainey Azarian
Lainey Azarian joined the staff of Turtle River Montessori in 2001.
With an undergraduate degree in Child Development and an interest in
education, Lainey pursued a career in Montessori Education in London
at the St. Nicholas Montessori Training Centre. Leaving England
after seven and a half years, Lainey and her family returned to
Lancaster, Pennsylvania and she continued her career as a Montessori
teacher. After 5 years, Lainey and her husband moved to Germany.
There she successfully organized a small Montessori class of young
children and taught English using the Montessori Method of
education.
Ms. Azarian continues to be committed to the
Montessori Method of education in her current role as School
Administrator, providing guidance and support for the teachers
and families at Turtle River. She is passionate about the
philosophical aspects of educating the whole child and maintaining a
curriculum with a strong foundation built on developing a child's
confidence, self-esteem and independence. As she says, "When a
child feels successful they have a true love of learning."
In 1960, parent and teacher Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch founded
the American Montessori Society (AMS) to meet
an overwhelming public demand for more information on Montessori education.
The American Montessori Society was created to monitor the high
standards and certify schools accordingly.
The American Montessori Society is a non-stock corporation operating as a
self-supporting, educational membership organization with non-profit, tax-exempt
status. AMS membership includes organizations, such as schools and teacher
education programs, and individuals, such as teachers, parents, and other
interested persons.
The purpose of the Society is to help children develop their fullest
potential through the educational principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. AMS is the
largest Montessori resource center in the United States. From its national
headquarters in New York City, it helps to incorporate the Montessori approach
into the framework of American education.
AMS Accreditation is a voluntary process undertaken by schools that are
committed to continuous school improvement. Through a self-study and
documentation process a school defines itself in terms of strengths and areas
that need improvement and validates that the school is what it says it is and
does what it says it does. The school uses Standards For American Montessori
Schools and six essential qualities established by research and consensus as the
essence of the educational nature of Montessori education.
Full Member schools are required to have an AMS Standards Review and Membership
Consultation every 5 years.
For more information please visit:
THE AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY
www.amshq.org
AMS teachers have to be trained
in the method over a long period, receive their certifications, intern for
a year under an experienced teacher and then lead a classroom. A
Montessori Lead Teacher (Directress) must have a Bachelor's Degree, have State
mandated teaching credentials, plus Montessori credentials.
Assistant Teachers must have their High
School Diploma and additional training. It is the
responsibility of the teacher to create a positive energy in a
non-threatening environment, have the ability to relinquish control and
instead empower children to build themselves day after day. Turtle
River Montessori takes pride in our highly qualified Lead Teachers
and Assistant Teachers with a broad range of backgrounds, and we are
fortunate to have them as part of the Turtle River Family.
Hawksbill Turtles - YELLOW ROOM
Lead
Teachers - Lucy Franklin and Christy Escoto Assistant Teachers - Lynne Avvenire and Ola
Cooke
Elementary is organized in three-year age groupings and our Teacher/Student
Ratios are low: not more than 10 to 1. The rooms are furnished with many
hands-on materials, and abstract learning is introduced at this level. The Hallmark of
Montessori Education is the use of Hands-On materials, which clearly
define abstract topics like multiplication, algebra, geometry and
language skills in a fun, challenging manner that allows children to
progress at their own pace. Our Montessori Teachers are
Observers, providing guidance to self-directed students.
For more information on our Elementary Program,
see our
Montessori Method page.
 Teacher
- Lucy Franklin
Ms. Lucy grew up in Brevard, NC and graduated from the University of
North Carolina with a BA in Psychology. She moved to Georgia
where she met her husband Ford. She has 3 wonderful children
adopted from China: Caroline, Priscilla and Abby. Ms. Lucy received
her Montessori certification in Elementary in Melbourne, FL and
taught for three years in a Montessori Elementary school. Her
training extends to Redirecting Children's Behavior (RCB), Conscious
Discipline and teaching children with ADD and Asperger's Syndrome.
Ms. Lucy has a warm and nurturing spirit.
Her experience and positive energy is an inspiration to each child.
In her own words "Teaching allows me to share my knowledge and
experience and to learn everyday. I love to watch a child when
he/she has that 'Aha!' moment and understands something for the
first time."
Lead Teacher - Christy Escoto
Formerly an instructor at Summit Montessori School and the
Summit Teacher Training Institute, Ms. Christy has over seven years
experience as a teacher. She earned her BA in Anthropology at
Rollins College and earned Florida Teacher and Montessori
Certifications as well. Ms. Christy is always striving to continue
her education, and has attended several Montessori National
Conferences. She and her husband Josh have a son, Kai,
whose curious demeanor serves as a constant reminder of the wonders
the world has to offer.
Ms. Christy credits her patience and determination to life
experiences such as completing half-marathons and she envisions her
classroom as a bustling place of learning populated by joyful and
inquisitive children. "My motivation lies in creating a positive
educational experience for each child, as both an individual and a
citizen of the Montessori environment. Nothing could be better than
sharing in the delight as a child learns and grows in their own
unique and extraordinary way," she said.
 Assistant Teacher -
Ms. Lynne
Previously Lead Teacher in the Red Room,
Ms. Lynne completed her Montessori Elementary training this year and
is currently completing her Internship in Elementary Education.
She has a BA from the University of Michigan where she studied
Music and American Culture. Originally from northern New
Jersey, she moved to Florida with her husband and two daughters.
They spent a year in Orlando where Ms. Lynne completed her
Montessori teacher training at Maitland Montessori School.
They chose to settle in S. Florida to be near family.
Ms. Lynne's calm demeanor and the joy and
wonderment she sees in each child make her a natural guide in each
child's life. In her own words "I had always been interested in
teaching, and having a child of my own drew me to the Montessori
Method of education. I love that the lessons are presented
individually and that each child moves at their own pace. The
pre-primary is a wonderful age because the children are full of
enthusiasm and wonder. Each day is a new discovery for them.
It is wonderful to learn through the eyes of a child."
Assistant Teacher - Ms. Ola
Each Pre-Primary Classroom has a Lead Teacher
and 3 Assistant Teachers
Our PrePrimary classrooms offer a variety of activity as well as
a great deal of movement, furnished with child friendly furniture
and materials. Turtle River’s Montessori-trained teachers
arrange the materials in five core curriculum areas and all lessons
are presented one-on-one by the teacher to a
child. For more information on our
Pre-Primary Program,
see our Montessori Method page.
GOPHER TURTLES - RED ROOM
Lead Teacher - Lisa Webb
Ms. Lisa grew up in Northport,
New York. She resides in Palm City, Florida with her son Frederick
and her husband Tommy. Ms. Lisa graduated from Katharine Gibbs
Business School in New York and has her Associates Degree in Liberal
Arts from Indian River Community College. She received her
Montessori Certification from South Florida Montessori Education
Center and will be starting her seventh year in the Montessori
environment. She also has training and certification as an Orton-Gillingham
tutor certified through the Michigan Dyslexic Institute. Ms. Lisa
was a directress at Bridges Montessori in Stuart, Florida for the
past six years. Her training extends to RCB (Redirecting Children’s
Behavior), Conscious Discipline, CPR and First Aid, and teaching
children with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism.
She says, "I have a genuine love for children and believe that each
child has a beautiful light inside themselves. It is not our job as a directress to mold a
child, but rather to help them unfold."
Leatherback Turtles - BLUE ROOM
 Lead Teacher - Stephanie Carruthers
Ms. Stephanie is originally from Ireland, where she took her
Montessori Training at St. Nicholas College in Dublin. She
taught at an American Montessori School in Paris, France for 5 years
and then lived in Bermuda and worked in a Montessori School for
another 5 years. She moved to Florida and taught at a
Montessori School for a few years before joining the Turtle River
Family in February, 2004. She is married and has two children.
Ms. Stephanie has a natural and true
understanding of the integrity of each child. She is nurturing
yet she allows the child the opportunity to reach his true
potential. The children gravitate to her warmth and generous
spirit. In her own words, "I have always loved teaching in a
Montessori environment. I feel it is so important to address
the individual needs of each child, to recognize their strengths and
to treat them with love and respect. Since becoming a parent,
the philosophy of educating the 'whole child' has become even more
important to me. This too is the essence and belief of Turtle
River which is why I love working here."
Loggerhead Turtles - GREEN ROOM
 Lead Teacher - Debbie Coburn
Ms. Debbie has a BA from St. Michaels College in Colchester, VT
where she studied art and psychology. She has 4 children
ranging in age from 11 to 20. Debbie is originally from
Bronxville, NY and she trained at Palm Beach Community College to be
a Montessori Directress.
Ms. Debbie's calm and composed manner draws the
children to her, responding very well to her wonderful energy.
In her own words "My first year of teaching at TRM I was fortunate
to be able to work with very creative and nurturing professionals.
My desire is to create a peaceful and loving environment, to awaken
and meet the needs of the children. I enjoy seeing the
amazement on their faces as they relate to their environment.
I love to hear their laughter as they enjoy each new experience.
I am thankful to work with such a wonderful group of families and
staff."
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