Hamilton Park Montessori School

HPMS is being founded by a team of educators interested in creating a positive learning community where the Best Practices in Montessori and Early Childhood education are implemented. Samantha Trice, Director of the program and Teacher, has a M.Ed in Educational Administration from Columbia University's Teachers College (New York, NY), a MA in Teaching from Trinity College (Washington, DC), a Montessori Teaching credential from The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies (Silver Spring, MD) and a BA in Psychology from Denison University (Granville, OH). Furthermore, Samantha is State Certified as an Administrator and Teacher, and has 15 years of combined experience as a Montessori Teacher and Administrator in both public and private school settings. Samantha is also an Instructor, Consultant and Evaluator at The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, a Montessori Teacher Training program. Lara Habbinga, Assistant Director and the Art/Yoga Teacher, is completing a MA in Children's Literature and Arts Education at New York University (NYU). Lara finished the academic phase of the Elementary Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY and received her BFA in Painting from Colorado State University (Ft Collins, Colorado). Lara ran the family programs for the South Street Seaport Museum in lower Manhattan and continues to be an educator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lara is also a certified Children's Yoga Instructor and taught in various programs through out New York City. Beate Buchmann-Sow, Lead Primary Teacher, has over fifteen years of teaching experience. Beate was a teacher for ages 0-6 in Germany for twelve years then pursued her interests in Montessori Methods and received her Primary Montessori Diploma (3-6 year olds) in Germany, as well. She is a proud mother of her little girl, Rokhaya-Madita. Anupama Pershad Bhatia, Primary Teacher, is a Virginia Certified English teacher. She completed her M.Ed from George Mason University and her BA in English Literature from Virginia Tech. Anupama has over six years experience teaching young children, adolescents and adult English language learners. She is currently in the process of writing her first novel. Kristin Scarola, Enrichment Teacher, is a New Jersey State Certified K-8 Teacher and has over five years of classroom experience working in Jersey City Public Schools and in a private Montessori School. Kristin is completing her MA in Ethnography and Arts Education at New York University's Gallatin School and received her BA in Ethnomusicology from New York University. Drew Friedman, Afternoon Teacher, has a BA in English Literature from Sarah Lawrence College. He previously taught at the Children's Learning Center in Alameda, California. He has taught theater workshops with children in the United States and throughout United Kingdom.