Faculty & Staff
The teacher has two tasks: to lead the children to concentration and to help them in their development afterwards.
-Maria Montessori
Our staff is made up of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds who all have a passion for educating children in the Montessori Method. Each classroom is staffed with at least two teachers who are all Montessori trained or working on their training. We have a robust specials program which includes art, music, technology, physical education and Spanish for all students as well as programs in theater and broadcast journalism for our older students. Our administrative staff is courteous and professional, providing support for our teachers and parent community.
Staff Directory
Search for a specific staff member or click on any name below.
Departments
- Administration
- Toddler Program
- Primary Program
- Lower Elementary Program
- Upper Elementary Program
- Middle School Program
- Special Programs
- Health Office
- Maintenance Staff
- Consultants
Administration
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Toddler Program
Primary Program
Lower Elementary Program
Upper Elementary Program
Middle School Program
Special Programs
Health Office
Maintenance Staff
Consultants
Thought Leadership
Many members of our faculty and staff are considered leaders in the Montessori world. Most years we have faculty demonstrate their expertise in presentations at the annual American Montessori Conference which is attended by over 5,000 educators.
Some of our past presentations include:
Boston, 2023: Bridging Montessori and Disabilities: How Do We Embrace Both Worlds to Support Learners?
Boston, 2023: A Behaviorist’s Approach to Problem Solving in Montessori Classrooms
Nashville, 2022: Effective and Joyful Inclusion in Montessori Classrooms
Houston, 2020: Developing Writing: From Sentences to Multiparagraphs (Canceled - Covid)
Washington, DC, 2019: Linking Reading Assessments to Lessons in the Kindergarten Year
Laura Dykstra
Head of School
Laura has been a part of The VillageSchool staff since 1999, most recently serving as the lead lower elementary program teacher.
Laura holds a M.S. in education with a specialization in reading and literacy from Bank Street College of Education and a B.A. in elementary education and music from Saint Michael’s College. Laura has elementary I credentials from the American Montessori Society, having trained at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education(CMTE). She has been a staff member of the CMTE and presented the geography curriculum for the primary-level training program. Laura lives locally in Bergen County, NJ with her husband and daughter.