Administration

​Matthew Simberg, M.Ed. 
Founder / C.E.O. / Head of School

Matt’s lifelong ambition has always been to help people in any way he could. He always had an awareness that he wanted to be a catalyst for positive change through education. Through years of positive interaction with children and families, Matthew began to realize his vision would center around creating opportunities for children and families to mindfully engage in the enrichment of their own individual lives through the use of Dr. Maria Montessori's pedagogy, philosophy, and timeless universal qualities such as benevolence, altruism, compassion, and ways of thinking.  Upon graduating from Loyola University with a Masters in Education, and a concentration in Montessori Education, Matthew had been a part of and continued to seek out top A.M.I. (Association Montessori Internationale) schools at which he could engage meaningfully with elementary children and families, in order to get the best personal and well-rounded experience within an authentic A.M.I. Montessori curriculum. He was constantly engaging himself in the many facets of the schools to prepare him for what he knew would be his future.
During his tenure at these schools, Mr. Matt worked closely with his students, co-teachers and parent community to provide a dynamic, hands-on and integrated educational experience, that instilled an engaging and well-rounded lifelong love of learning. 

In 2007, Matt implemented the participation of the Montessori Model United Nations Program for the Montessori Academy.  This experience in New York City and the United Nations grew to become a fantastic and much anticipated addition to the curriculum that excites parents and children. It is also great because it compliments and is supported by the Association Montessori Internationale community. This program allows upper elementary students to take on ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, with Montessori’s philosophies, which culminates in a four-day conference in Manhattan and the General Assembly of the United Nations. Participants have the opportunity to work with students from around the world, learning how the international community acts on its concerns about peace and security, human rights, the rights of the child, child labor, the environment, food and hunger, economic development, globalization and more. Mr. Matt has also used his personal experience with the MMUN to serve as a model for the children.

Mr. Matt has been involved with the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) organization since 2007. Upper Elementary students at MSOE also participate in the MMUN conference each year at the United Nations in NYC. Mr. Matt has worked his way up from being a teacher/chaperone to President of one of the MMUN committees and now he mentors and trains the members of the MMUN Bureau as a Secretariat. He has used this forum as a model to show the children that it is important to be involved in the world and that hard work pays off. He has travelled to Rome for an MMUN conference where he visited Maria Montessori's original training center and served as President on the Dais for an MMUN conference there.

Back in 2011, parents requested an Adolescent Program and Mr. Matt created it while successfully teaching elementary.  This served the school's advancing demand with a growing elementary program until Mr. Matt was able to pass on the Adolescent Program to someone else so that he could focus on elementary. This program grew to include specialty curriculums with outside resources in the areas of science, mathematics, and foreign language. 

Then in 2014, with the support of a passionate parent community, Mr. Matt realized his lifelong dream of opening a school that provides an authentic Montessori experience for families, while he continues to grow as an actively reflective observer, creative facilitator, provoker of different types of thinking and character builder.

Mr. Matt and MSOE are part of a well-established Montessori network. He has many contacts including experienced Montessori educators and administrators whom he frequently communicates with. He is regularly participating in several different focused online groups, such as the Whole School Leadership, Elementary Alumni Association, and other AMI associated and non-associated Montessori groups on Facebook. He is constantly researching, applying what he learns and participating in Leadership/Administrative workshops when available. Through these avenues he also follows another passion of writing through his blog, the school newsletter, communications to staff and families, and sharing with others as you can find articles on our website which he wrote and were published in AMI-Elementary Alumni Association Newsletters. 

MSOE is always open to helping other communities or Montessori schools both near and far, and we will always be working on that.
Education

Loyola University , Baltimore, MD
  • Masters in Education (M.Ed), with a concentration in Montessori Education 2007
  • Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Certification
  • New Jersey Public School Certification, K-5
Scranton University, Scranton, PA
  • B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, 2003
American University, Washington D.C.
  • Washington Semester Program, 2001
  • Emphasis: Peace and Conflict Resolution

​Julie Woods
​Administrative and Classroom Assistant

Julie is a high energy and outgoing person who is very involved with children and her church. She specializes in working with children who have special needs and enjoys participating in buddy programs. Julie is very easy going and adventurous. She enjoys going away on missions, traveling and nature. She loves to participate in sports and outdoor activities.  

Certified In
  • Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR/AED and First Aid

Nurse

School health services are provided by the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative.

Toddler

Shiya Stone
​Toddler Directress

Miss Shiya fell in love with Maria Montessori’s philosophy 32 years ago while volunteering at The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. A few years later she began studying Montessori and received her Montessori Primary Teacher Certification from CMTE/NJ. What impressed Shiya the most about Montessori is her deep perspective on the inner guidance of the Spirit of the Child, the intuitive nature of the teacher to follow this guidance, the formula used for creating the lesson plans and the preparation of the environment. Shiya has used these principles, and so much more of Montessori’s Philosophy, as the foundation of her teaching practices, no matter what type of environment, Montessori or a non- Montessori environment. Miss Shiya believes that being a Montessorian at Heart is what has made all of her lessons, classes and programs a true success. Prepare • Observe • Respond Miss Shiya believes these are the Three Keys to her success as a Montessori Teacher, and the three things that warm her heart and create joy in her life. Preparing the lessons and the environment is the Golden Key. If this step is done properly then the environment engages the child and allows for the opportunity for learning and growth. Observing the level of engagement, particular interests and the skills of each child allows her as the guide to Respond by making adjustments to the environment and/or removing or adding elements that take the child's experience to the next level. Shiya personally finds great joy in all three qualities. Over the past 11 years, especially the last three, Miss Shiya has worked with more and more toddlers through her art programs and has found herself incredibly inspired by their abilities to take on any task, to explore, to create and to learn. She also found a lot of prejudices around toddler behaviors and over the years has mentored caregivers about understanding and responding to these behaviors. Miss Shiya wholeheartedly believes that the Toddler period in life is key to our personal identity and sense of freedom. The ‘terrible twos’ is a call for independence and identity and she hopes to play a part in shifting perspectives of this age group and to be a guide for the inner calling of each child. Miss Shiya is a mother of three teenagers and lives in Woodbury, NJ with her two Covid kitties, Sage and Lavender. Shiya is also a professional artist and poet and has had much of her commissioned artwork published, and she has published her own work, including a book about Gratitude called. “Inside My Heart” and a book of poetry called, “The Journey to Now.” Aside from studying Montessori, she studies spiritual philosophies founded in New Thought/ Ancient Wisdom principles, Positive Psychology, educational philosophies, quantum physics and she loves to learn about what the children are interested in learning so that she can share their passions. Miss Shiya is also looking forward to continuing her Montessori training and receiving an AMI Toddler Guide Certification.
Education

Under Construction

Certified In
  • Under Construction

​Xiomara Munoz
​Toddler Assistant
​Aftercare Assistant

​Xiomara is very hardworking and reliable. She is great company and handles high pressure situations well. She is very driven to accomplish her goals and is very giving of her time and energy. 

 She enjoys working with children, and she loves outdoor activities and sports. She is very family oriented, has three sisters and one brother.

Jody Woods
​Toddler Assistant 

Jody has a nurturing heart and wants to make sure children know they are loved and valued. Jody started her career as a Registered Dietitian teaching nutrition and healthy eating to individuals and groups, including helping individuals incorporate specific dietary restrictions into their lifestyle.  She then spent 20+ years as a stay-at-home mom raising her 4 children.  During this time, she volunteered in many capacities in her children’s schools.  She especially enjoyed working with the kindergarten and first graders reading program.  After her children were into high school she volunteered for 7 years with Mothers of Preschoolers(MOPS) both as a childcare worker and as a mentor mom.
​
Jody has a passion for healthy eating and gardening.  She is excited to have the opportunity to share her love for food and growing things with the students in her class.  She also loves going for long walks, playing beach volleyball with her husband and daughter (Ms. Julie), reading, crocheting, and spending time with her granddaughter.

Education: 

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

  • B.S. in Human Nutrition and Foods
 
  • Coordinated undergraduate program in Dietetics

Certification:
​
  • Registered Dietitian 1989-1999, 2018-present 

Primary

Michele Burgess
​Primary Head Guide

Michele has worked for the past 13 years as a Montessori Guide at a school in Milton, MA. Michele moved from Massachusetts back to New Jersey during the summer of 2020 to join the MSOE team. Michele and her husband have 2 children that are equally excited to join MSOE as students. Michele and her family love biking, hiking, camping, and exploring new places. In her free time, Michele enjoys creating art, solitude, and reading books over a great cup of coffee. 
Education

Montclair State university, New Jersey
  • B.A. Fine Arts
Minor ​
  • Anthropology
  • Archeology

Masters Degree
  • School of the Museum and Fine Arts - Boston, Mass.

Montessori Training Center Northeast - Hartford, CT
  • AMI Primary Certification (2007)

​Stephanie Pelly
​​Primary Assistant

Ms. Stephanie has worked with children for over 25 years. She has worked as a Montessori teacher, assistant and camp counselor. She enjoys using the Montessori method of instruction and believes this empowers children to be successful. Upon graduating college, Stephanie worked for a non-profit agency in Bucks County, PA teaching character education and bullying prevention programs in public, private and Montessori schools. Stephanie developed and implemented programs that focused on conflict resolution, diversity and promoting non-violence. She designed Peace Education products and materials that focused on social and emotional development and mindfulness. Stephanie was also a co-director and head counselor of Peace Camp which focused on these skills. She co-authored the curriculum for Dream A World and was a co-presenter at Montessori conferences. Ms. Stephanie was inspired by author, singer and songwriter, Bunny Hull. Stephanie published a children's book and enjoys creative writing, traveling and holistic practices. She continues to be inspired by life and is working on her next books.

Education
  • Monmouth University, New Jersey (1999) B.S. With a concentration in Special Education
  •  Elementary Education Montessori Training North American Montessori Center - International Montessori Teaching Diploma (2016)
  • 120 TESOL (Teaching English As A Second Language) Certificate (2019)

​Mary Cichon
​Primary 2 - Lead Guide

Mary Cichon has more than 30 years of experience as a guide in Montessori classrooms, having worked at schools in Richmond, Virginia, Morristown and Voorhees, New Jersey as a teacher and Educational Coordinator. She has also worked with autistic children through Burlington County Special Services. She has an excellent reputation as an educator and takes pride in the relationships she has developed over the years, both with the children and their parents. Mary has a passion for helping children to be independent, safe and courteous to themselves and others.

Over the years, Mary has developed many tools to compliment her Montessori training which aids her in guiding the child to be independent and safe. MSOE is grateful for her experience, contributions and passion for collaborating with our community! 

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, the outdoors, travel, arts and crafts. Mary also has a keen interest in history and developed a special expertise as a historical storyteller delighting and fascinating young children about the lives of some of America's most famous historical characters. She lives in Medford and has three children, all of whom are Montessori graduates and two grandchildren, one of which is soon to be a Montessori pupil!

​Education
Sion Hill Montessori Teacher's College, Dublin, Ireland
  • AMI Diploma for 3-6 and 6-9 year olds
  • Benincasa Montessori Diploma for Special Education for 3-9 year olds

Cindy Roswell-Simon
​Primary 2 Assistant 

Under Construction

​Anne Manieri
Before-care Teacher/Primary Assistant

After teaching for several years in traditional nursery school, Anne went for her Montessori training and has been teaching as a Montessori guide for about 30 years. Anne is a passionate, compassionate, objective, and skilled guide with many techniques tucked up her sleeves to aid in the development of the primary aged child. She loves every opportunity she gets to help children become more independent and collaborative.

She has one son and is involved in Boy Scouts of America. Anne loves to read and cook.

​Education

LaSalle College
  • BA in Early Childhood Education
Chestnut Hill College
  • AMS Primary Certification

Certified In
  • Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR and First Aid

Elementary

Bernadett Farthing
Elementary Guide

Ms. Bernadett’s journey with Dr. Maria Montessori's educational philosophy began in her homeland of Germany, where she cultivated the foundation of Montessori principles during her academic pursuits. Motivated by her deep passion for education and languages, Ms. Bernadett embarked on a career as an English teacher for the German Army, dedicating a decade to both educating and assuming leadership roles.

A significant life transition occurred when Ms. Bernadett, now a US Air Force spouse, relocated to New Jersey, where she dedicated the following 10 years to
nurturing her two children. It was during this period that her innate passion
for working with children flourished. Fueled by this newfound inspiration, Ms.
Bernadett returned to the classroom, pursuing her calling as a Montessori
Elementary Guide.

Outside of her professional commitments, Ms. Bernadett extended her dedication to
community involvement by officiating American Football games in Germany's
league for over a decade. Presently, she discovers joy in the simple pleasures
of the outdoors, travel, live music, and savoring cuisines from all over the
world. As a dedicated crafter, she finds fulfillment in adding a creative touch
to her surroundings. Ms. Bernadett's multifaceted journey reflects her
commitment to education, community, and the enriching experiences life has to
offer.

Education

Elementary MACTE Teacher Certificate                         2021-2023
Prepared Montessorian Institute, USA                 

Master of Arts -     English and American Studies;                1997-2004
     Education; Intercultural Communications          
Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English                     1998-1999
Park Lane College, Leeds, UK

Alex Burkholder
Elementary Assistant

Mr. Alex has worked with children for several years in various art studios around New Jersey. He has always followed the guide of process over product while teaching and believes art can drastically help many students find their way creatively through their classroom lessons. He is an experienced illustrator and character designer having worked professionally to create character concept art and models for video games and comics.  He loves taking care of his pet magpie Ozzie as well as interacting and studying about all animals. He enjoys playing any and all racket sports and exploring the world with his family.

Education

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  • B.S. Game Simulation Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Electronic Arts

Certifications  
​
  • Certified in Adult CPR/AED, Child CPR and First Aid
 
  •  Provisional Certificate as a Teacher of Art - NJ