Treasure Village Montessori

Brief biographies of each of the Treasure Village Montessori school staff will give parents, incoming students and the community a glimpse as to who we are. We look forward to wonderful opportunities throughout the school year for you to learn more about us. Because of the dedication of our team of educators and administrators TVM is a SACS accredited, A-rated charter school that has shaped the educational development of more than 600 students since 1999.​

“Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach.” ~ Aristotle

 

Treasure Village Montessori School Administration

Kelly Anne Mangel, Principal

Ms Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Psychology and Sociology from Jacksonville University and a BA in Special Education and Elementary Education from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey. She is Florida certified in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education, and is currently working towards her reading endorsement.  She is Montessori certified through Summit Montessori, ages 6-9. For six years she worked in New Jersey as a special education teacher. She joined TVM in 2007 as the Assistant Principal. She was named Principal in 2013.  Kelly.Mangel@KeysSchools.com​

 

Connie Chapell, Assistant Principal

Ms Connie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education/ Mentally Handicapped from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Emotionally Handicapped and Administrative Supervision from Nova Southeastern University. She has a Florida Professional Educators Certificate in Emotionally Handicapped (Grades K-12), Mentally Handicapped (Grades K-12), Elementary Education (Grades K-6), and School Principal (All Levels). She is an active Independent Educational Consultant and certified in Collaborative Problem Solving. Her educational experience as a teacher began in a hospital setting working with autistic, young children. Her experiences include classroom teaching (Pre-School-High School) both with regular and special needs students in a variety of setting. Her administrative experiences began as a Principal of a private, accredited therapeutic school, as well as Principal of three accredited private schools. She joined TVM in 2012. Connie.Chapell@KeysSchools.com    ​



Amanda Zischka, Office Manager

Ms Amanda received her Associate of Arts degree and a General Banking Diploma from the Center for Financial Training in Florida.She was born and raised in New Jersey and enjoyed visiting the Keys several times a year. She and her family eventually settled in the Keys full time in 1992. She co-founded Paradise Play School in Islamorada with her Mother in 1995. She left the Day care in 2006 to work at TIB Bank in Tavernier. Prior to joining TVM she worked for Monroe County in Building and Planning. Ms Amanda is very active in raising funds for the American Cancer Society and is the Survivor/Caregiver Chairperson for the Upper Keys Relay For Life. Her two daughters are TVM students. She joined TVM in 2013. Amanda.Zischka@KeysSchools.com​   





Laura "Lori" Guth, Finance Director

Ms Lori holds a Bachelor of Art degree in Advertising from the University of Kentucky and after graduation spent a summer at The Parsons School of Design in New York City. She and her husband moved to the Florida Keys in 1997 where she worked in the finance and training department at Dolphin Research Center (DRC), for almost 10 years. Lori left DRC to stay home with her son and to fulfill a long time dream, to bring her daughter home from China. Before moving to the Keys, Lori worked in New York City, Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in the stock brokerage industry. Both of her children go to TVM and Lori worked as a parent volunteer in the 2011-2012 school year. She joined the staff in 2012.  Laura.Guth@KeysSchools.com​





TVM Faculty

 

Marydelsi Cortes, VPK Lead Teacher

Ms Mari holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration from Miami Dade College. She was born 
and raised in Miami, FL and moved to the beautiful Florida Keys 3 years ago. This is her 1st year teaching;
she is excited for this new beginning as she’s always had a passion for teaching. She is working on obtaining
her Montessori Certificate.​ Mari.cortes@keysschools.com 



Kris Pooley, VPK Lead Teacher

Ms Kris worked in the banking, real estate industry and retail management before embarking on a career in education. Her family moved from Saint Augustine to beautiful Islamorada in 2009 and enrolled their children at TVM. Both have since graduated and are attending Coral Shores High School. She was an active parent volunteer until she joined TVM’s staff in 2013 as administrative assistant in 2013. Ms Kris ultimately found her calling when she began teaching in our VPK program later in that same year. She is continuing professional development and pursuing Montessori training. Kris.Pooley@KeysSchools.com​

Louanne Bradley, K/1 Lead Teacher

Ms Louanne was born and raised in Miami, FL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Commercial Art from Brenau College. She is AMS Certified in Montessori Primary (2-6) years. Ms. Louanne started teaching as an assistant soon after her two eldest daughters started Montessori school in Atlanta, Georgia. After enjoying a few years at home raising her youngest daughter she returned to Montessori education. Ms Louanne was born and raised in South Florida and has recently relocated to the Keys. She is currently working on her Florida Teaching certification. She joined TVM in 2014. Louanne.Bradley@KeysSchools.com​






Marjorie Luces, K/1 Lead Teacher​

Ms Marjie holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida. She has a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate in Elementary Education for Grades K-6 with an Endorsement for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). She earned credit toward an Exceptional Education degree at Boston College working with children with autism. This year she is working to finish her training to obtain her Montessori certificate. Ms Marjie joined the staff at TVM in 2015. Ms Marjie joined the staff at TVM in 2015.​ Marjorie.Luces@KeysSchools.com​​

 

Karen Christofferson, K/1 Paraprofessional 

Ms Karen holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Psychology from the Miami Institute of Psychology, now Carlos Albizu University. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) in August 2015. She has held several positions, including office manager and support teacher for K/1, 2/3 and 4/5 since joining our Montessori school in 2003. We are excited that Ms Karen is (since 2012), now supporting our lower elementary classrooms.                              
Karen.Christofferson@KeysSchools.com



 

 

Kristina Sullivan, 1-2 Lead Teacher

Ms Kris has a decade of early elementary teaching experience and accomplishments. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from West Virginia State University and her Master’s Degree in Journalism from Marshall University. She is Montessori Certified, (3-6), by Montessori Teacher Training Institute and is Florida State Certified in Elementary Education K-6. Other certifications include Early Childhood and ESOL. She is currently pursuing her Reading Endorsement. In 2005, Ms Kris taught at Island Montessori School, (before the school moved to its Treasure Village location). She continued teaching until 2010 when she took a sabbatical after the birth of her son. She re-joined joined the staff at TVM in 2016. Kristina.Sullivan@KeysSchools.com

Christina (Drake) Frick, 2-3 Lead Teacher

Ms Christina graduated from University of Central Florida in 2007. She holds a Master’s Degree in Instruction: Teaching and Learning and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She also has her ESOL endorsement. Before moving to the Keys she taught school in Maryland. Currently, Ms Christina is working to complete her Reading Endorsement and attend the Montessori conference in San Diego in 2016. She joined the staff at TVM in 2013. Christina.Frick@KeysSchools.com​

Jessica Harris, 2-3 Lead Teacher

Ms Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Education with an emphasis in counseling and psychology from Penn State University. She completed her Montessori training, ages 3 through 6 and elementary Montessori training, ages 6 through 9, under the auspices of the National Center for Montessori Education in 2006. She maintains a Florida State Certificate in Elementary Education K-6. Previously, she worked with behavioral health care services as well as rehabilitative and vocational services for adults with severe mental and physical disabilities. Ms Jessica served as a substitute teacher for the Head Start Program at Stanley Switlik Elementary School in Marathon. She joined Treasure Village Montessori in 2003.  Jessica.Harris@KeysSchools.com​


 

Alyssa Adrian,  ESE Teacher
Ms Alyssa received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Sciences and her Master of Science degree in Special Education Varying Exceptionalities from Florida State University. Before joining TVM she spent more than fifteen years teaching in Monroe County Schools in the areas of Special Education and Elementary Education. Her two children attend TVM. Ms Alyssa was a substitute teacher at TVM for two years. She joined the TVM staff full-time in 2015.​
Alyssa.Adrian@KeysSchools.com​
 


Kathie Borders, Lower Elementary Paraprofessional

Ms Kathie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. She continued her graduate level studies in New York City at the Center for Media Arts, Germain School of Photography. Her family moved to Florida in 2015 from Northern Virginia where she had extensive experience working and volunteering with students. Since moving to the Keys she has substituted with Key Largo School, Plantation Key School and Coral Shores High School. Ms Kathie is pursuing her Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate in Elementary Education for Grades K-6. Her 3 children attend TVM. She joined TVM in 2016. Kathie.Borders@KeysSchools.com


Cathy Gwilliam, 4/5 Lead Teacher 

Ms Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Movement Science from Penn State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Health and PE from Sierra Nevada College, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She has her certification in Elementary Education, K-6 along with her certification in Health and Physical Education K-12, and her ESOL endorsement. She is certified and MACTE accredited in the Montessori Method ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. She is also a mentor teacher for Monroe County. Ms Cathy taught in Nevada and California before moving to Florida. She is also a certified CPR/First Aide instructor. Ms Cathy will be educating future Montessori educators through Montessori Live and will begin teaching online classes this fall. She joined the Treasure Village Montessori family in 2007.​ Cathy.Gwilliam@KeysSchools.com
 

Debra Hess, 4/5 Lead Teacher

Ms Debbie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy from Florida International University. She is Florida Certified in Elementary Education K-6, and is currently working towards her Montessori certificate through Summit Montessori. She taught grades 2/3 at The Academy at Ocean Reef for 8 years. She is extremely delighted to have joined the Montessori family and is looking forward to an exciting new teaching and mentoring challenge. Ms Debbie joined the staff of TVM in 2014.
Debra.Hess@KeysSchools.com​

 

Kristy Moss, ESE Teacher 

Ms Kristy Moss holds a Masters of Education from DePaul University and Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University. She is Florida certified in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education and is currently working towards her ESOL endorsements. Ms Kristy started working at TVM in 2013 and then took a short sabbatical after having two children. While at TVM, she has worked as an ESE teacher and the lead teacher in grades 4/5. She is now back at TVM working part-time supporting ESE in grades 4/5.​ Kristy.Moss@KeysSchools.com​






Bobbi Burson, Middle School Teacher - Science and Language Arts

Ms Bobbi holds a Bachelors of Arts (BA) with a degree in Environmental Sciences from Southern Maine University. She also graduated with credits toward her Masters in Education degree from the C.L.A.S.S. PDS program. She has a certification in Middle Grades Sciences, Middle Grades English, Exceptional Students, as well as Elementary Education K-6. For four years Ms Bobbi worked as the laboratory supervisor for the Marine Lab of Southern Maine studying the effects of using Porphyra yezoensis as a bioremediator for fish farming. Her previous position was as the 7th grade Science/Language Arts educator for Key Largo School. She joined TVM in 2012.
Bobbi.Burson@KeysSchools.com​





Catherine Foote, Middle School Teacher - Math and Science

Ms Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master's Degree in Varying Exceptionalities from the University of South Florida. Her extensive continuing education experience includes Florida Professional Educators Certificates in Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9, Middle Grades General Science 5-9, Elementary Education K-6, and Exceptional Education grades K-12. This year she will be taking her 6-12 Mathematics Certification Exam. She possesses more than a decade of diverse teaching experience which includes high school, middle school and elementary level education; she has been and Odyssey of the Mind coach for the past five years. Ms Catherine joined the faculty of Treasure Village Montessori School in 2011.​Cathy.Foote@KeysSchools.com

Linda McKee, Middle School Language Arts and Social Sciences


Ms Linda graduated from Manchester College in Indiana with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She went on to add three Special Education endorsements while attending Indiana/Purdue University Fort Wayne. While in Indiana she taught students with special needs at Crossroads Children’s Home, and Portage Middle School. In 2011 Miss Linda fulfilled a lifelong dream of helping special needs children through dolphin therapy as an intern at Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo. By 2013 she had made the Keys her permanent home. Here she has worked as a freelance photojournalist and currently teaches Ocean Conservation part time at Island Dolphin Care. She has just completed a full time substitute position at Key Largo School. Ms Linda joined the staff at TVM in 2016.
​Linda.McKee@KeysSchools.com
 

Holly Trejo, Middle School

Ms Holly holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and Education from Lowell State College in Massachusetts. She has sixteen years of experience teaching middle school. She holds her Florida Professional Educators Certificate in History grades 6-12, Exceptional Education grades K-12, Middle School Integrated Curriculum grades 5-9, Endorsement in English Speaker of Other Languages and an Endorsement in Reading. Ms Holly joined the staff of Treasure Village Montessori School in 2009. TrejoH@KeysSchools.com​






Stephanie Webb, Middle School

Ms Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. After substituting at Key Largo School, she received her Florida Teacher’s Certificate for grades K-6. She also received her ESE Certification and is also certified to teach 5th – 9th grade Social Science. Ms Stephanie enjoyed the past six years teaching at both Key Largo School and Plantation Key School. She joined Treasure Village Montessori in 2014.  Stephanie.Webb@KeysSchools.com​








Diana McGuirk-Hille, Art Teacher

Ms Diana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. She also holds art education state teaching credentials in both New York and Florida. She served as a team leader in AmeriCorps (NCCC) National Civilian Community Corps. Previously, she taught summer art programs with Citizen Schools in Boston, MA as well as private art lessons. Ms Diana is an active member at Morada Way Art District in Islamorada. She joined Treasure Village Montessori in 2006.
Diana.McGuirk@KeysSchools.com​






Maria Torres, Spanish & Library Teacher


Ms Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Higher Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba. She has a Florida Professional Educators Certificate in Spanish Grades K -12, and she is also certified to teach music in the state of Florida. She is member of the Florida Foreign Language Association (FFLA), and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Ms Maria taught Spanish and Music for six years at the Academy at Ocean Reef. She joined the staff at Treasure Village Montessori in 2007. 
Maria.Torres@KeysSchools.com​








Diane Bello, Music Teacher
Diane DeCenzo Bello, "Ms Diane," is an accomplished and popular music educator. She is composer, vocalist and classically trained instrumentalist. She was a featured artist at Bay Jam in Islamorada Spring 2014, showcasing her children’s music program. She teaches at schools in the Upper Keys, Miami and beyond. She has a private practice teaching music to all ages, and produces music with her students; they are posted on Reverb Nation.com. Her original music can be heard on her website www.dianebello.com. Ms Diane joined the staff of TVM in 2015. bellomusic@bellsouth.net​



Lesa Bonne, Physical Education

Bio coming soon.

Lesa.Bonne@KeysSchools.com​