"Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs towards the infinite future." Maria Montessori

Montessori School
of the
Finger Lakes
(315) 252-2225

Teachers and Staff

Gilda D. Brower, Founder/Executive Director, 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 Canana during summer workshops in New York City and Toronto. Gilda divides her time during the academic year betwee the preschool room, the elementary room, curriculum-building efforts, and staff training.

Pat Tamburrino, Business Administration, has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from SUNY Oswego. Pat worked eight years as an auditor for the Syracuse Diocese and joined the Montessori School in 2007. She and her husband, Rick, are lifelong residents of Auburn and have three children and two beautiful grandchildren.

Robin Henty, Preschool-Kindergarten Directress, received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Oswego State College in 1983. She taught at Plymouth Day Care, Most Holy Rosary Pre-School as well as working as a tutor at Corcoran High School in Syracuse. Robin was a teacher's aide in the Skaneateles Central School District at State Street Elementary School for children with special needs. She was nominated for the LaSalle Teacher of the Year Award. Robin's attendance at a week only training with Susan Kovalik on the topic of Thematic Teaching was an excellent foundation for teaching at the Montessori School. Thematic Teaching is a "hands on" approach to learning. Robin has been married for 24 years and has three children ages 23, 18 and 11. She volunteers for the cancer and heart society collecting funds. She is thrilled to be a part of the Montessori Staff.

Florence Smith, Preschool-Kindergarten Directress, attended Brooklyn College, University of Maine and Syracuse University School of Social Work. She served as the Director of Social Services at the Cayuga County Dept. of Social Services for 22 years before her "retirement" in 1985. Florence continues to be active and is anything but retired. She is known as a volunteer by Literacy Volunteers, a nursing home ombudsman, Hospice worker and community-wide dialogue volunteer. She is known as the "tie-lady" working for Kinsmith's the Tie Tailors and the "rug-lady" working as a braided-rug demonstrator and teacher. She is thrilled now to be known as the "bread-lady" teaching Montessori children how to make their very own loaves. She averages 25-30 loaves a week and looks forward to continuing to teach Practical Life skills to all of the Montessori Students again this year.

Kathy DeChick, Elementary Directress (Emphasis Reading & Writing), comes to us with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cayuga Community College. In her first career she spent 21 years as a flight attendant. Now, returning to her first love, she will be working as a teaching assistant in our 3 to 5 year old room. She will be working closely with Robin Henty and is looking forward to putting her experience to work. She enjoyed tutoring college students at the C.C.C. Academic Center as well as working with the preschool and kindergarten children at the C.C.C. Childcare Center. Kathy also did an internship at Waterman Elementary in the Skaneateles Central School District. She is married with three step-children and is an avid gardener.

Diane Bauso, Elementary Directress, joined our staff in the fall of 1999. She has a Master's Degree and has done extensive research in the areas of Child Psychology, Socialization and Learning Disabilities, Resiliency, and Alternative Educational Programs for Children. She is trained in the Montessori Method by Gilda Brower and is working toward her full certification. Diane also holds certification in Family Development through Cornell University, and completed Montessori 6 to 9 training in November, 2006.

Julie Myers, Preschool-Kindergarten Directress, joined the Montessori School in 2007. She has attended Cayuga Community College for Early Childhood Education and completed the Montessori teacher training in 2007.

Darlene Guadagna-Prickle, Preschool-Kindergarten Directress, lives in Skaneateles with her husband and two children, Ashley and Josh. Her education and certification include an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education (OCC), a Bachelor's of Elementary Education (SUNY Cortland), and is currently attending graduate studies in teaching students with disabilities (SUNY Cortland). Darlene worked with a community of others to jump start a new pre-school program in Skaneateles, teaching in the 3- and 4-year-old programs. Darlene is Ashley and Josh's biggest cheerleader for theatre, music, and basketball. In her spare time, Darlene enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, and doing laundry (it is meditative!). Darlene is excited to be a new member of the "Montessori Family" as the Head Teacher in one of the 3- to 5-year-old classrooms.

Celene Uczen, Kindergarten Reading and Writing Directress, has a Masters Degree in Special Education. She joined the Montessori School in 2006 to develop the reading curriculum.

Reingard Mirza, Elementary Directress & Music Instructor, grew up in northern Germany where she attended college. Before moving to America in 1993, she completed her studies in English and Biology with a thesis in Biochemistry. The 2006/2007 academic year will mark her 8th year as a Montessori parent, her 5th year as a Board member and her 4th year as a teacher. Growing up in a family where both parents were enthusiastic and dedicated teachers predisposed her to going into teaching herself. Her first teaching experience was as an au-pair for a family of music teachers. She helped their 2- and 4-year-olds master practical life skills, assisted in teaching beginning violin and had fun team-teaching high-school German. Music is her other great passion in life. After years of choir practices, youth orchestra and chamber group rehearsals, it gives her great satisfaction to pass these treasures along to children.

Holly Mulvay, Preschool-Kindergarten Directress, started at the Montessori school in 2002 as a student teacher for 15 weeks while attending Cayuga Community College. She began working at the school the following year in 2003. She has completed her Associates in Early Childhood Education. Holly has also worked with children with disabilities. she is the mother of a five-year-old son who attends kindergarten at the Montessori School. She enjoys scrap booking, crafts, spending time with family and she loves working with children.