“The Secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence
as a fertile field in which seeds maybe sown,
to grow under the heat of flaming imagination”
– Dr. Maria Montessori
All of our Lead teachers are Montessori certified (AMS – American Montessori Society, or AMI – Association Montessori Internationale). Further, 3 of our staff members have completed the formation course for Catechists serving children 3-6 years of age, conducted by the Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Our Montessori lead teachers have extensive Montessori experience and have been at St. Martin’s School for 10 or more years.
Nimali Matos
Head of School
Ms. Matos began her Montessori career at St. Martin’s School in 2006 as a Primary Montessori teacher prior to becoming the Director of Education. She worked at IBM World Trade Corporation for 13 years before she decided to make a career change as an educator. She has a Masters in Education in Advanced Montessori studies from St. Catherine’s University and Primary Montessori certification from AMI. She is passionate and deeply committed to the advancement of Montessori in the community and continues to support the leaders of tomorrow, our children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting and practicing yoga.
Shyamala (Sam) Subramanian
Director of Admissions
Ms. Subramanian joined St. Martin’s School in 2006 as the Business Manager and as the Director of Admissions in 2011. She has over 25 years of experience in accounting and management. She has a BA in Business and Humanities from Golden Gate University, California and an MBA from Western Governor’s University, Utah. She loves National Geography, travel and learn different cultures and to dog sit.
Kristen Petrone
Primary Montessori Lead Teacher
Ms. Kristen has been with St. Martin’s School for 15 years. She graduated from Seton Hall University in 2007 with a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and completed her Montessori training in 2012 at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. She enjoys reading, going to the movies, and spending time doing outdoor activities with her friends and family.
Shabana Jumma
Primary Montessori Lead Teacher
Sally Azab
Primary Teacher
Cristopher Gutierrez
Primary Teacher Assistant
Kelly Disakias
Toddler Montessori Lead Teacher
Ms. Kelly Disakias graduated from the State University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Early Childhood Education. She received her AMS Montessori Certification in Boston, MA. Kelly has two beautiful daughters and enjoys traveling, music, dance, calligraphy, designing, arts and crafts, walking the boardwalk near the beach and swimming.
Toddler Teacher Assistant
Agathe Lorenceau
Infant Montessori Lead Teacher
Sam Subramanian
Infant Teacher Assistant
Angela Marin
Infant Teacher Assistant
Nidhi Idnani
Mindfulness Practices Instructor
Preethi Kulkarni
Yoga teacher