Faculty & Staff

Marci Martindale

Head of School

Elementary Coordinator & Lead Teacher

Accreditations: AMS, AMI, NMI, CMTE, MACTE, National Network of Montessori Advocacy

Certifications: 3-6 years Montessori Primary Teacher, 6-9 Montessori Elementary Teacher, 9-12 Montessori Elementary Teacher

Degrees: BS

Marci Martindale founded CTMS over 25 years ago out of her home, with the goal in mind to provide an alternative educationally based option for preschool age children. Marci’s dreams came true with the expansion of the 96 Essex Road location and formation of an elementary program. After the birth of her first daughter she discovered the Montessori Method of teaching. She went back to school and became a certified teacher for the preschool and elementary aged students, holding Montessori Teaching accreditation for 3-12 year olds. Marci continues to attend classes and training to expand her knowledge and help to support the staff and families at CTMS. She is a certified facilitator of Positive Discipline Workshops for teachers and parents. She enjoys a good book, a cup of tea, cooking, dancing, shopping and spending time with family.

Email: Marci

Nicole grew up locally in Westbrook, CT. She attended the University of New Haven to major in Interior Design while working full-time as an Assistant Manager in retail. She left both paths to become a full-time Mom to her three children. Nicole joined the CTMS staff in 2008 as our art teacher and has continued to be involved at CTMS as a parent. In 2011 she became our full-time Administrative Assistant. Over the summer of 2012, Nicole became certified as a Montessori Teacher’s Assistant as well as a Teacher Trainer for Positive Discipline. She enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, boating, reading, and spending time with her family. Over the summer of 2012 Nicole became certified as a Montessori Teacher’s Assistant as well as a Teacher Trainer for Positive Discipline. She enjoys hiking, skiing, camping, boating, reading and spending time with her family.
Email: Nicole
Phone: (860) 391-8288

Caila Martindale

Director of Students & Faculty

Accreditations: AMS, MACTE

Certifications: 0-3 Infant/Toddler Montessori Teacher, Montessori Administrative Leadership (in progress)

Degrees: BA

Caila has been part of CTMS since its conception. She was a Montessori student here through 6th grade, and loves the Montessori philosophy. Caila continued to work and volunteer at CTMS through high school and college. After graduating college she came back to CTMS inspiring our youngest students and went on to receive her birth to 3-year-old Montessori Certification through Northeast Montessori Institute. She is currently working on her certification for Montessori Administrative Leadership. Caila loves her dogs, art, the beach, and dabbles in photography.
Email: Caila
Phone: (860) 388-3536

Stephanie Mikan

Administrative Assistant

Floating Substitute Teacher

Stephanie has been caring for children for many years, as she became an aunt at the young age of 11 years old. She now has 8 nieces and nephews that she has helped care for all this time. She began working in a formal childcare setting as a high school student and continued on after graduating. She now has two daughters of her own. She enjoys reading, the beach, baking, and spending time with family.

Email: Stephanie

Stephanie Asberry

School Nurse

Degrees: M.S. Nursing

Stephanie has been a nurse for over a decade. She spent years working in the intensive care unit for Hartford Healthcare and Yale New Haven Health. She also spent time working in the heart and vascular department for Yale New Haven Hospital. Stephanie lives in Glastonbury with her family. Her son attends school at CTMS. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, traveling and trying new foods and restaurants.

Email: Stephanie

Tamara Sevigny

Marketing & Communications

Certifications: AMS Montessori 3-6 Teacher's Assistant

Degrees: BA Graphic Design

Tamara was born and raised locally and still lives in Lyme on Roger's Lake with her husband, two daughters and 4 bulldogs. She graduated college with a B.A. in Graphic Design. As an entrepreneur she started and ran a few different small businesses from design and publishing to home daycare and raising exotic pets.

In search of an alternative to traditional public school, Tamara found CTMS and knew immediately it was the place for her children. Both of her daughters attended CTMS for many years through elementary. She joined CTMS administrative staff in the fall of 2014 shortly after her children began attending.

She still raises hedgehogs and sugar gliders, enjoys the beach, hiking, camping, exploring the world, and spending time with her family.
Email: Tamara

Yoonju Um

Toddler Coordinator & Teacher

Accreditations: AMS, NMI, MACTE

Certifications: 0-3 Infant/ Toddler Montessori Teacher
Degrees: BA-PA, MS-COMM, MA-Education

As a South Korean native, YoonJu got her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Communication. After many years of working in Korea as a TV producer, an educational film producer, and an IT marketing account executive, she moved to the U.S. to settle down with her husband. While raising her two boys, she was highly attracted to child education, which drove her to become a certified Music Together teacher. As a Montessori mom, she was very impressed by the Montessori method and teachers, which led her to work in our toddler program. In 2016, she went back to school and became a certified Montessori teacher for birth to 3-year-olds through Northeast Montessori Institute. Under the COVID-19 pandemic, she was on sabbatical leave, and she earned her Master of Arts in Education at St. Catherine University. Her thesis was about the transition to a new classroom from home, using Attachment theory. Currently, she is interested in culturally responsive practice and its impact on learning and the social-emotional health of her students and families. She is also into self-efficacy, teacher advocacy and plans to contribute her knowledge and experiences to the larger community. She enjoys playing piano, reading books, singing, baking, handcrafting, and traveling with her family during her free time.

Email: Yoonju

Yzage Baigts Zepeda

Toddler Co-Teacher

Before Care Teacher

Certifications: 0-3 Infant/ Toddler Montessori Assistant Teacher

Degrees: BS, MS, AA Early Childhood Education

Yza is a Mexican native, and speaks both English and Spanish fluently. She lived in Mexico most of her life until she moved with her family to Chester when her children were toddlers. In Mexico she worked as a dentist and holds a masters degree in Pediatric Dentistry. Yza's twins, now teenagers, attended CTMS into elementary and she worked as the Spanish teacher here during those years. As a parent here she further developed her love of the Montessori philosophy. She loves spending time with children and studied Early Childhood Education for her Associates Degree. She completed her internship in the toddler Maple Room here at CTMS and now works as a co-teacher there, where she will be implementing a Spanish immersive program. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and animals, and enjoys traveling.

Email Yza

Eithne Moran Ramsay

Primary Co-Teacher

Accreditations: AMI, MTCNE
Degrees: BA, MA-Education

Higher Diploma in Education

Eithne came to us with a desire to work in a school with a philosophy that resonated with her experiences and interests. Prior to Joining CTMS Eithne worked as a teacher for many years in her home country, Ireland, with ages 4-12. Eithne also ran summer camps for young children focusing on sports, baking, and crafts. She has always enjoyed working with children and watching them learn and grow. After her daughter was born she realized how much Montessori inspired her, and she wanted it to be part of her life. She believes Montessori is not just a philosophy, but a way of life.

Eithne completed her Master’s in Education with a concentration in Montessori from the University of Hartford. She is very proud of her AMI training. She also holds a B.A in Arts & Humanities from University College Dublin, Ireland and a Higher Diploma in Education from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

Eithne lives in East Lyme with her husband Robert and their daughter who also attends CTMS. During her free time she enjoys holidaying in Ireland, biking, hiking, golf, sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Email: Eithne

Pam Gozzi

Primary Co-Teacher

Before Care Teacher

Certifications: Advanced Assistant Primary Teacher
Accreditations: NMI, CMTE

Pam started working with CTMS in 2005 as an assistant teacher. Prior to that she instructed dance for several years at her private studio and assisted in choreographing several local school productions. Pam also previously worked as a Recreational Therapy Assistant at a local hospital with a concentration on intergeneration. Pam had a passion for working with children in coordination with the elderly. After being introduced to the philosophy of Montessori learning, she was thrilled to be able to join the teaching team at CTMS. Pam has completed a variety of training throughout her career at CTMS and loves working as a co-teacher in the primary program.
Email: Pam

Eva McCain

Primary Co-Teacher

Accreditations: MTCNE, MACTE

Certifications: AMI Montessori 3–6 Teacher's Assistant

Eva was a stay at home mom for many years, worked in real estate and started as a substitute teaching at CTMS in 2017. She’s now one of the assistant primary teachers and completed her Montessori assistant training in the summer of 2021. In her free time Eva enjoys camping, hiking, clamming and walking with friends by the ocean. Eva lives in Westbrook with her husband, children and her dog, Brewster. 

Email: Eva

Marci Martindale

Head of School

Elementary Coordinator & Lead Teacher

Accreditations: AMS, AMI, NMI, CMTE, MACTE, National Network of Montessori Advocacy

Certifications: 3-6 years Montessori Primary Teacher, 6-9 Montessori Elementary Teacher, 9-12 Montessori Elementary Teacher

Degrees: BS

Marci Martindale founded CTMS over 25 years ago out of her home, with the goal in mind to provide an alternative educationally based option for preschool age children. Marci’s dreams came true with the expansion of the 96 Essex Road location and formation of an elementary program. After the birth of her first daughter she discovered the Montessori Method of teaching. She went back to school and became a certified teacher for the preschool and elementary aged students, holding Montessori Teaching accreditation for 3-12 year olds. Marci continues to attend classes and training to expand her knowledge and help to support the staff and families at CTMS. She is a certified facilitator of Positive Discipline Workshops for teachers and parents. She enjoys a good book, a cup of tea, cooking, dancing, shopping and spending time with family.

Email: Marci

Fabienne Brutus-Chiocchio

Elementary Co-Teacher



Degrees: BA

"Fabie," originally from the Caribbean, moved to Connecticut in 2016 from Virginia with her family. She has worked for the Department of Education for over 16 years, and most recently as a substitute teacher and interventionist for a local school district.

Fabie graduated college with a B.A. in Culinary and Art from Keiser University. She taught culinary for a few years while her children were toddlers, until she decided to continue with Elementary education with the University of Phoenix. She then went on to pursue a B.A. in Science in Management.

Fabie knew a little about Montessori Education, but never had the chance to explore it with her older children who are now teens. She came across CTMS while looking for something different from traditional education. She's enjoying learning about the Montessori philosophy and hopes to include her youngest daughter of 5 at CTMS.

In her spare time she loves spending time with her family and two dogs, cooking, cleaning, traveling and meeting new people.

Samantha Sweet

Elementary Co-Teacher

Accreditations: MACTE
Certifications: AMI Montessori 6-12 Orientation, AMI Elementary Assistant Certification, 12-18 AMI Montessori Adolescent Teacher

Degrees: B.A. Elementary Education

A.S. Environmental Science

Sam is a native of southern Connecticut with a genuine passion for the great outdoors, travel, and cultures. She has devoted years traveling the U.S.A to work with environmental non-profits, state parks, and leading youth corps in trail work and ecological restoration. Her heart finds solace in hiking, camping, canoeing & kayaking, and discovering the never ending world of plants. Sam cherishes moments with family and friends and finds joy in listening to live music, embracing the vibrant energy that comes from performances.

The birth of her first daughter sparked a profound fascination with the Montessori philosophy, making her incredibly thrilled to be a part of the CTMS community, where she can foster a love for nature, learning, and cultural awareness in young minds.

Email: Sam

Anna Smith

Elementary Co-Teacher

Certifications: AMI Montessori 6-12 Orientation

Degrees: BA in Elementary Education 

Anna Smith was born and raised in Middletown, CT. Since childhood, Anna has had a variety of opportunities to live internationally as well as in different locations within the United States. Anna gained appreciation for Montessori at an early age and has continued to experience and implement bits and pieces of it throughout her eclectic experience as an elementary school teacher. She is excited to settle down with her husband in her home state and dive deeper into the Montessori experience through her position at The Children’s Tree. In her free time, Anna loves exploring new areas of learning and enjoying hobbies such as painting, drawing, sewing, gardening, and interior design.

Email: Anna

Julie McDermott 

Occupational Therapist

Certification: Irlen Diagnostician

Degrees: BS in Occupational Therapy

Julie moved to Essex in the summer of 2023 with her husband Kevin and their dog Phoebe. She has a blended family of seven and loves watching them grow into mature kind adults. Julie has been a business owner (Irlen Center CT, LLC) since 2018. She works with children and adults with visual processing challenges that impact reading and their daily routine. She has been an Occupational Therapist in schools for over 20 years and is excited to be a part of the Montessori staff. She enjoys reading, running an adventure club and time with family and friends. 

Email: Julie

Geannine Navarro

Floating Assistant Teacher



Geannine was born in the United States, but raised in Ecuador. There she studied International Business and has worked for over a decade in a family company inspecting the quality of fruits for international trade.

Geannine moved to Florida in 2016, and in 2022 moved to Connecticut with her family and their husky, so that her husband could study at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. 

After volunteering at her daughter’s school she decided she loved working with children. She found CTMS and loves being a part of the community.

In her free time, Geannine enjoys spending time with her family playing games, watching movies, going out for ice cream and making crafts. 

Anastasia "LaLa" Jankowski
Music

"LaLa" is a Music Together certified instructor who has been bringing the joy of music to children for many years. She is part of the Sunny Train group out of Madison, CT where she teaches music and lyrics, instruments, mindfulness, yoga and ballet.

Danielle Rudolph

Fine Arts Teacher

Danielle was raised in Los Angeles, CA and moved to Connecticut in 2005. She is raising her family in East Lyme. She has been in love with the school and community of Children's Tree since her daughter began in 2015. Both of her children still attend CTMS in the elementary program.

Danielle has been working as a design professional for over 20 years and believes art is for everyone, and that we are all born with the desire and joy to be creative. She enjoys many mediums of art, but especially markers, acrylics and classic pens and pencils. She adores working with children to help them pursue their love of art and creative expression.

Jaye Carlson

Sign Language Teacher

Sign language is shared with our students by Jaye Carlson. Jaye loves children and has been teaching sign language at schools and daycares for many years. Jaye has three grown children and lives in Guilford with her husband.