Administration
Matthew Simberg, M.Ed.
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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 for 10 out of the 11 years since it has been established. 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 Montessori Administrators Association, 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.
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 for 10 out of the 11 years since it has been established. 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 Montessori Administrators Association, 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
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
- B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, 2003
- Washington Semester Program, 2001
- Emphasis: Peace and Conflict Resolution
Jacquelyn Brown
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Nurse
School health services are provided by the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative.
Toddler
Christine Millington
Toddler Directress
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Chris has many years of experience starting out as a traditional preschool teacher for 3 and 4-year-old children, and more experience as a trained Montessori teacher for Infants and Toddlers. Her love of children, specifically nurturing toddlers, is her passion. Her goal is for your child to be as independent and as safe as possible. She wants to do this by utilizing her compassionate nature, solid managerial skills, and Montessori’s philosophy to help them do things themselves.
Chis is very enthusiastic, has a positive attitude and is thrilled to have a collaborative experience with MSOE and its families. MSOE is excited to have Chris be a part of the community and looks forward to many great school years! Education Trenton State College
Certified In
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Julie Woods
Toddler Assistant
Aftercare Assistant
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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. Her goal is to become a medical examiner.
Certified In
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Victoria Roper
Toddler Assistant
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Tori enjoys working with children. She is involved in two youth groups at her church - 6th grade as well as the 3 and 4 year old classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, taking walks at local parks, and adventuring to cozy coffee shops. This is Tori's second school year with MSOE.
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Primary
Carl Levie
Primary Head Guide
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Carl is thrilled to be joining the faculty of Montessori Seeds of Education. His first experiences of Montessori began early on in life. During his primary through adolescent years he attended public Montessori in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In pursuits of studying classical vocal performance, he obtained his Bachelor's of Music from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Additionally, he has spent several years assisting in a Primary classroom, as well as developing musical curriculum centered in early childhood development. His vision for community is to build strong communication, supportive relationships and igniting one's passion for learning. Truly, Montessori has played a major role for him personally in the trajectory of this process, and he is extremely excited to fully launch into MSOE's primary program! Education Temple University, Philadelphia
Certified In
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Mary Cichon
Primary Assistant
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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
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Elementary
Matthew Simberg
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Anne Manieri
Elementary Assistant
Aftercare Director
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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
Chestnut Hill College
Certified In
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Adolescent
Frank Burkhauser
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Even before the business ended in 2015, Frank began working with children during summers at Liberty Lake Day Camp and then became the Land Manager at the Montessori Academy of New Jersey. He went on to receive an AMI Certification from the Hershey Montessori School and became an Adolescent Guide.
Since then Frank has worked with Elementary Special Needs Children and as a Biology Lab Assistant at the Secondary level while he achieved his Certificate of Eligibility to teach K-12 the New Jersey Public School system. In 2018/19 he taught Ceramics and Art & Design at Highland High School in Blackwood, New Jersey. All the while, he has stayed involved with Montessori Seeds Of Education by volunteering as a STEM Lab Leader for the past three years.
Perhaps because of Frank’s twelve years’ experience as a Montessori parent, coupled with his own beliefs and training in the Montessori Pedagogy, he is overjoyed with this opportunity to be a part of the growing MSOE family. He is honored to uphold the MSOE mission, to create a mindful, collaborative, and authentic Montessori experience for families that he, along with the Adolescent Program, will serve.
Since then Frank has worked with Elementary Special Needs Children and as a Biology Lab Assistant at the Secondary level while he achieved his Certificate of Eligibility to teach K-12 the New Jersey Public School system. In 2018/19 he taught Ceramics and Art & Design at Highland High School in Blackwood, New Jersey. All the while, he has stayed involved with Montessori Seeds Of Education by volunteering as a STEM Lab Leader for the past three years.
Perhaps because of Frank’s twelve years’ experience as a Montessori parent, coupled with his own beliefs and training in the Montessori Pedagogy, he is overjoyed with this opportunity to be a part of the growing MSOE family. He is honored to uphold the MSOE mission, to create a mindful, collaborative, and authentic Montessori experience for families that he, along with the Adolescent Program, will serve.
Dan Garlic
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Xiomara Munoz
Floating Assistant
Aftercare Assistant
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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.
Xiomara is going to college for Psychology. She enjoys working with children, and she loves outdoor activities and sports. She is very family oriented and has three sisters and one brother. |
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Specials
Jamie Zwier
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Barry Moore
Music/Gym/Drama Teacher
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Mr. Barry Moore comes to MSOE with a wealth of experience as an educator, musician, actor, director and writer. He has been the music and gym teacher at St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral School in Camden for more than 13 years, where he directs the children’s choir. A gifted and seasoned performer, Mr. Moore has appeared in productions at the Walnut Street Theater, the Theatre of the Living Arts (the TLA) and the Bristol Riverside Theatre among others. He has directed/choreographed plays at Moorestown High School Summer Theatre and the Camden Cultural Arts Program at Rutgers University, Camden.
Mr. Moore has taught classes K-12 in theater, improvisation, pantomime, movement and playwriting at the Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, where he is also an active board member, as well as working with the Philadelphia Young Playwrights. |
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Laura Rubino
Yoga Instructor
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Laura started her teaching career as a Montessori teacher’s assistant while attending college. She has taught elementary and middle school locally and internationally with over 12 years of experience. Laura has taught in Norway, South Korea and recently returned from teaching in Colombia.
Currently, Laura brings yoga and mindfulness programs into schools, corporations and communities. She has seen profound positive changes in her students’ lives through the gift of yoga. Her passion is to teach children of all ages the ancient practices of yoga, so they can reduce stress and anxiety. These practices help her students keep a healthy mind, body and spirit. Additionally, she owns a yoga apparel line called, One Aura Yoga. Laura hopes to spread the gift of yoga and mindfulness through her tees and teachings! Certifications
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Jane Hipple
Art Teacher
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Jane has been teaching art for over fifteen years in a variety of environments, from elite summer art programs for preteens, in the prison system of Alabama, to undergraduates in liberal arts colleges. For the past several years Jane has been involved in Montessori programs, as an art educator and classroom assistant. She is a practicing artist herself and spends a lot of time looking at art. She develops her curriculum with art historical models in mind and loves exposing students to methods and images from a variety of cultures and time periods. Jane is also a MSOE parent.
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