Montessori Teachers have 5 basic goals:

1. To awaken children’s spirit and imagination.
2. To encourage their normal desire for independence and high sense of self esteem.
3. To help them develop kindness, courtesy and self discipline that will allow them to become full members of society.
4. To help children learn how to observe, question, and explore ideas independently.
5. Having created a spirit of joyful learning, to help children master the skills and knowledge of their society.

Our Teachers

Mary Perkins Executive Director email	I grew up in Minnesota and started my college education in a small school in Southern Minnesota, my 2nd year of college I transferred to Arizona State University where I attained my Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education with an English as a Second Language endorsement after student teaching in Costa Rica. I moved to Alfred in 2006, since my husband grew up in this community and this is where we wanted to start our family (Thankfully, I still had a little antifreeze left in my bones from Minnesota !). I have had the pleasure working in all the classrooms at AMS before being offered the position of Executive Director in 2008. I just finished my Montessori Certification from North American Montessori Center in November 2010! I absolutely love working at AMS and being a parent of a child who attends our school! I feel that the school is filled with such a nice combination of love and growing that is perfect for children and adults!
Carol Prigmore Lead Toddler Teacher email	I currently hold 2 degrees: a BA from Alfred University in Mathematics and a MS from RPI in Statistics. I have completed 10 credits (6 at the graduate level) in Early Childhood Education. My involvement with the Alfred Montessori School started in 1994 as the parent of a preschooler. I served 1 year on the Board of Directors as chair of the Parent Activities Committee, 5 years as the Bookkeeper, 2 years as a substitute in the classrooms and became a full-time teacher in June of 2003. I have 4 years of experience in the Preschool Room (3 as Lead Teacher) and 3 years in the Toddler Room (2nd year as Lead Teacher). What I like most about Alfred Montessori School is providing a warm, secure environment where children can learn to be independent and seeing the smiles on their faces as they enjoy their accomplishments.
Nalini Sundaram Assistant Toddler Teacher	I am Nalini Sundaram and have returned to Alfred after having lived here 20 years ago (I can’t believe I am back here!). I have obtained four degrees, BA and MA in English Literature and Bachelors in Education and Masters of Philosophy in Education. I have taught in private and public schools in India. Overall, I have over 25 years of teaching experience, 17 of them in private and public schools and daycare in the states of Washington, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. I like living in this quiet community and educating the local children. I learn from them as much as I teach them. I also enjoy watching them grow. What I like the most about Alfred Montessori is the safe, positive, and warm environment that energizes me. I currently work in the Toddler Room and I enjoy working with my fellow teachers and students.
Crystal Henshaw Lead Preschool Teacher email	I grew up in Arkport , NY . After I graduated from Arkport Central School , I attended Alfred State College. It was while taking the Human Service program I decided I would like to go into the Early Childhood Education field. I attended Corning Community College and earned my Child Development Associate Credential in Preschool education while working at a daycare center in Arkport. In September 2006, I began working at AMS. In 2008 I earned my Montessori degree from NAMC. I have been the lead teacher in the preschool classroom since September 2008. What I enjoy most about the Montessori is that the children get to choose what they learn and when they learn it. I may possibly learn more from them then they learn from me!
Cheryl Quagliato Assistant Preschool Teacher	I grew up on a small farm in Stockbridge, Massachusetts . In fall of 1983, I entered the University of Massachusetts as an Undeclared Major. However, after careful reflection, I realized that working with young children was what I wanted to do. I developed my own program, which enabled me to graduate with a dual certification in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. In 1993, my husband and I moved to Alfred after he accepted a teaching position at Alfred State College. Shortly after our arrival, I learned about the Alfred Montessori School . Appreciating the value of child centered approach to learning; I was pleased to be offered an opportunity to work here. My favorite thing about teaching is that I enjoy observing the children’s curiosity and desire to learn in this environment.
Julia Gardner Assistant Preschool Teacher	I was born and raised in Alfred, NY and extremely blessed to grow up with all of my family living within one mile of me! I have a large family of 19 cousins and 6 siblings (one who worked at Montessori for 3 years). I started babysitting in the area when I was 12 years old and worked with toddlers in the children's class at my local church. I have always loved working with the little ones and count it a privilege to be working at the Alfred Montessori School with the children in our community!
Denise Clarke Lead Infant Teacher	I am originally from Whitesville, NY and graduated from Alfred State. My husband is in the US Navy and after getting married we moved to the Virginia Beach area. While there I worked in the Retail Management Field. When I was pregnant with my second daughter (my first being almost 2) I decided that I wanted to pursue having a Navy Certified Child Development Home to allow myself to have home daycare on the Navy base in Japan. When moving back to Virginia Beach in 2007, I became a lead teacher in a large corporate daycare center. I had the pleasure of working with all age groups ranging from infants to preschool children. While working at this center, I obtained my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am very happy I am the lead teacher in the infant room after relocating back "home". My favorite thing about AMS is the friendliness of the families, staff and the partnerships between the school community.

Our Facility

The Alfred Montessori School has achieved its goal of matching an excellent facility with an individualized educational program. The school houses four classrooms in the renovated Crandall Barn next to the village playground.

Alfred Montessori Facility

Playground