Meet Our Teachers

Our work is about one thing above all else  the individual development of your child. Children’s Own School’s hiring process, supervision cycle, and on-going professional development is designed to ensure our teachers meet our high educational standards.

Lisa Ardizzoni, Office Manager

How long have you worked at COS?
12 years

What do you love most about COS?
The true feeling of community!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Just being in the sunshine

Carrie Baker - Purple Room Assistant

Carrie Baker, Purple Room Assistant

What is your academic background?
I have a BA in Psychology (with a Minor in Early Education) from Plymouth State University

How long have you worked at COS?
3 years

What do you love most about COS?
Just being with children every day

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
I love spending time outdoors with family.

Bridget Barrett-Parker, Director of Education

Bridget Barrett-Parker, Director of Education

What is your academic background?
BA in Elementary/ Special Education from Providence College; M. Ed in Early Childhood Education from Gordon College; AMS training through Montessori Institute- New England; AMI training through Montessori Training Center New England

How long have you worked at COS?
12 years

What do you love most about COS?
There’s no one favorite thing, I love it all! The amazing community of families and staff, the gorgeous grounds, the meticulously kept classrooms, it’s a wonderful place to be!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Running, riding bikes, teaching yoga, gardening, or playing with my family!

Kim Brennan

Kim Brennan, Afterschool Lead & Floating Assistant

What is your academic background?
Bachelor’s degree from College of the Holy Cross; Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University School of Law. 15 years teaching experience with the Town of Arlington Public Schools Preschool.

How long have you worked at COS?
This is my first year!

What do you love most about COS?
I love the beautiful and peaceful physical environment.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Hiking with my family, reading and baking cookies ?

Taisa Castilho - Green Room Assistant

Taisa Castilho, Green Room Assistant

What is your academic background?
I have an Electrical Engineering degree From Paulista University in Brazil

How long have you worked at COS?
3 years

What do you love most about COS?
The school feels like family, I love the way we teach!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Cooking, and family time

Jennifer Choe

Jennifer Choe, Music Director

What is your academic background?
I received my MM in Piano Performance from Indiana University and my BA in Music and Biology from Tufts University. Throughout the past 20 years I have taught private piano lessons, group piano lessons, Key for Kids® (a group piano course), and Music Pups® (a music program for young children).

How long have you worked at COS?
Since September 2021.

What do you love most about COS?
COS truly has the most supportive, nurturing faculty and a wonderful community of families. As a parent of two COS alumni, I have seen firsthand how an education at COS instills children with a love of learning. Music is such an integral part of life at all stages, and I’m thrilled to be able give children a solid musical foundation that they can build on throughout their lives.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
I like to spend time with my family, play piano, bake, run, and practice yoga.

Samantha Eaton, Orange Room Assistant

Samantha Eaton, Orange Room Assistant

What is your academic background?
I have a BA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Art Education

How long have you worked at COS?
4 years

What do you love most about COS?
Getting hugs from children every day!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Spending time with family, going to the beach, and hiking

Holly Flood, Director

Holly Flood, Director

What is your academic background?
I have a BA in Natural Science from Johns Hopkins University, and an MA in Maternal/Child Health from UNC Chapel Hill. My Primary Teaching Accreditation from the Ohio Montessori Training Institute.

How long have you worked at COS?
6 years

What do you love most about COS?
The attic!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?I’ll be cross country skiing with my husband, and walking the dogs in the woods.

Katie Giordano - Vermillion Room Assistant

Katie Giordano, Vermilion Room Assistant

What is your academic background?
My AMS certificate is from the Guided Center for Montessori Studies

How long have you worked at COS?
17 years

What do you love most about COS?
Seeing the growth of the children from the beginning to the end – and gaining trust between child and teacher.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Gardening, and playing with my dog!

Maria

Maria Henehan, Assistant Director and Afterschool Lead

What is your academic background?
I have a Masters in Education from Emmanuel College and Director 2 certificate in Early Childhood Education

How long have you worked at COS?
1 year

What do you love most about COS?
The community of children, families and staff!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
I enjoy yoga and running.

Julie Keating - Yellow Room Guide

Julie Keating, Yellow Room Guide

BA, Fine Art Photography, Arizona State University
DEEC Certification: Teacher, Infant/Toddler, Teacher, Preschool

Katie Manizone

Katie Manzione, Vermillion Room Assistant

What is your academic background?
I went to University of Maryland, College Park

How long have you worked at COS?
This is my 7th year

What do you love most about COS?
The beautiful environment & supportive community

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Spend time with my 2 children, run, cook & travel. On weekends I can usually be found in the bleachers of a pool or on the sidelines of a lacrosse field.

Marisol Marquez - After-school Assistant

Marisol Marquez, Green Room Assistant

Where did you get your teaching accreditation?
I have a BA in English Philology from UAM in Madrid and a Photography Degree from Limerick Senior College in Ireland. My AMI 0-3 Assistant Certification is from Maria Montessori Education Foundation (NZ) and my AMI Primary Assistant Certification is from Montessori Training Center Northeast.

How long have you worked at COS?
1 year

What do you love most about COS?
The wonderful community of parents and staff. Witnessing the children’s progress has been incredible too.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
I’ll probably be doing photography, dancing flamenco, listening to music, cooking, pretending I play my guitar or enjoying the outdoors. I love embracing the winter by skiing, cross country skiing or snowshoeing, and in the summer I’ll be swimming or on top of my paddle board!

Caroline McCarthy, Vermillion Lead

Caroline McCarthy, Vermilion Room Guide

What is your academic background?
My BA in Educational Studies is from Roger Williams University, and I have my AMI Primary Certificate from Montessori Training Center Northeast

How long have you worked at COS?
2 years

What do you love most about COS?
The wonderful teaching staff, and support from Ms. Holly

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Being with family and friends!

Premalatha (Prema) Rajendran, Purple Room Guide

What is your academic background?
I have a Bachelor’s of Commerce, Master’s in Business Administration, and AMI training from Navadisha Montessori Institute in Chennai.

How long have you worked at COS?
This is my first year.

What do you love most about COS?
I love the positive and nurturing environment at COS as well as the amazing community of staff. J’adore my children & Ms. Holly!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Meditation, Riding bikes & Motorcycles, Camping, Gardening, Spending time with my family by the waters and cooking Indian meals for my family and friends.

Photo coming soon

Nina Romao, Yellow Room Assistant

Photo coming soon

Natali Sanchez, Green Room Guide

What is your academic background?
My BA in Psychology is from Georgia Gwinnett College, and I have an AMI Elementary Teacher Certification from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta.

Zhihong Zhan - Orange Room Guide

Zhihong Zhan, Orange Room Guide

What is your academic background?
I have a BA in Education Administration from Jiangxi Normal University in China, a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Gordon College, and AMS diploma from New England Montessori Teacher Education Center

How long have you worked at COS?
4 years

What do you love most about COS?
The children!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at COS?
Dancing and running