Board of Directors

Our Board is responsible for the overall character and stability of our school. It determines the mission and goals of our school, sets general school policies, provides financial resources through fundraising, and oversees the school's finances by approving the operating and capital budgets and by setting tuition, fees, and salaries.

ROB BUSCHMAN

Rob is a Certified Public Accountant and is a partner at Cuddy and Ward CPA’s for the past three years. He is Board President of the Salvation Army for the past ten years and Board President of Evergreen Heights for the past six years. Rob is on the board for the Auburn Industrial Development Authority and is also a former member of the Auburn Board of Education. Rob enjoys running, biking, swimming and golf.

REINGARD MIRZA

Reingard grew up in Germany and spent 18 months in England as an au pair. She attended Albrecht-Ludwigs University in Freiburg where she majored in English and Biology. She moved to the US in 1993 and worked as a bookkeeper for Endocrinology PLLC. In September 2003 she started teaching at the Montessori School and is now the school's Business Administrator. Reingard has two children in middle and high school who both attended the Montessori School for many years. Reingard enjoys music, travel, reading, weaving and running.

NICOLE ROZELLE

Bachelors of Science in Human resources from Kings College, PA, and a Masters of Science in Human Resourses from the University of Scranton, PA. Nicole is the Human Resources Director at Cayuga Counseling Services, Inc. Nicole has lived in the Auburn community for 7 years, and has two children who attended the Montessori School of the Finger Lakes. Nicole enjoys reading and horseback riding.

DAVID WARREN CONNELLY

Writer, working on biography and play of Thomas Mott Osborne, early 20th century prison reformer. Dave was also the Publisher of The Finger Lakes Business Almanac for seven years, and was the Editor of The Citizen for eight years, winning numerous awards. Dave is on the Board of trustees for Cayuga Home for Children, and is the Board Chair at Montessori School of the Finger Lakes. Dave also conceived and co-founded Equality Circles, which introduced racial sensitivity training to police officers, prosecutors, city employees and private employers, including Wegman’s.

VIJAY K. MITAL

Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Master's degree in city planning. Vijay is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He retired as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Auburn in 2003. Mr. Mital is actively involved in several professional organizations as a board member. He is the chairman of the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency and also chairs the Boyle Center Board. He has forty years of experience in the development of public sector programs.

GILDA BROWER

Gilda has been certified by the American Montessori Society since 1971. Before opening the school, Gilda worked in two Montessori schools one in New Jersey and one in Upstate New York. A member of the American Montessori Society, Gilda continues to train Montessori teachers from across the United States and Canada during summer workshops in New York City and Toronto. Gilda divides her time during the academic year between the preschool room, the elementary room, curriculum-building efforts, and staff training.

CARLA VORREUTER

Carla is responsible for the sales and operation of Volpi Manufacturing USA Standard Products Division and was the VP of Julius Kraft Company. She attended Ohio State, Texas A&M, and holds a BA degree in early childhood education from SUNY Cortland. Served on the following Boards: Cayuga Counseling, Human Services Coalition, Youth Court, and the Cayuga Museum. Carla is married and has three children who attended Montessori School. Carla enjoys spending time with her family and friends, the arts, gardening, the Y, and sailing.

ELAINE OUGHTERSON

Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. When Gilda first opened the school, Elaine was a teacher on staff. She has held the positions of International Sales Representative, Data Manager, Legal Systems Administrator, and Office Manager. Elaine recently retired after 22 years as Sr. Executive Assistant to the CEO, COO and General Counsel of Hand Held Products. Enjoying time with family, her grandchildren and friends brings her great pleasure. Her free time is filled with music, photography, stain glass, cross country skiing, snowshoeing. Always interested in furthering her knowledge Elaine enjoys travel to new, as well as, known places of interest.

Goals of the
Montessori Method
With an eye toward the development of a competent, self-assured, independent, and caring adult, the Montessori method aims to:
  • Foster natural curiosity and a positive attitude toward school
  • Develop each child's self-confidence and habits of initiative, concentration, and persistence
  • Nurture inner security and a sense of order