Meet the Love of Learning Staff
lille craig, director
Years at Lol: 5 years
experience: AMI Elementary teaching certification from WMI, Ma in History from the University of St Andrews and masters in education from Loyola, 19 years experience working with children, 4 years program director/office manager for crystal lake camps, 4 years curriculum assistant for simmons college graduate school of library and information science, 3 years as senior instructor for red cliff ascent (wilderness therapy for troubled teens)
fun fact: I graduated from love of learning in 1991. the Thanksgiving feast, which is my favorite lol tradition, was the same!
find me at harborside campus
“The child is not an empty being who owes whatever he knows to us who have filled him up with it. No, the child is the builder of man. There is no man existing who has not been formed by the child he once was.”
“The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”
cami thompson, co-founder and upper elementary teacher
years at lol: all of them
experience: AMS Elementary 6-12 credential from cmte/ny, ams elementary 6-9 credential from cmte/ny, ami 3-6 credential from wmi, transvaal teachers’ higher diploma from johannesburg college of education, ba in history and ba honors in literacy from university of the witwatersrand
When did you start teaching? I started way back when the world was new I tell the kids iVe been at it for 167 years.
what is you favorite part? I love to see the kid who finally gets it.
Find me at harborside campus
“It is surprising to notice that even from the earliest age, man finds the greatest satisfaction in feeling independent. The exalting feeling of being sufficient to oneself comes as a revelation.”
julie anne meixsell. assistant director
years at lol: all of them
experience: ams primary credential from cmte/ny, 35 years of teaching experience
Early Childhood Teachers
Christine Casalini, Early Childhood Teacher
years at lol: 3 years
experience: ams preprimary credential from CMTE/NY, AMI Primary Montessori Diploma from ohio montessori training institute, nys early learning trainer credential, level 2, ba in EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION FROM SUNY EMPIRE
find me at top of the hill campus
Maria D'Amico, Early Childhood Teacher
years at lol: 16 years
experience: ams preprimary credential from cmte/ny, NYS teacher certification, ms in education from hunter college, 34 years in a classroom, 30 as lead teacher
find me at harborside campus
Soo-Jung Kim, Early Childhood Teacher
years at lol: 10 years
experience: ams early childhood credential from west side montessori school’s teacher education program, ba in english language education from korea university, EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher certification in Korea
find me at haborside campus
Elementary Teachers
Arli harlan Angello, Upper elementary Teacher
YEARS AT LOL: 2 YEARS
EXPERIENCE: MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN CREATIVE WRITING FROM ADELPHI UNIVERSITY; BACHELOR’S IN ENGLISH FROM ADELPHI UNIVERSITY; 7 YEARS AS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT ADELPHI UNIVERSITY, SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE; MONTESSORI LOWER ELEMENTARY CERTIFICATION FROM NORTH AMERICAN MONTESSORI CENTER (NAMC); I AM ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO ENROLLING INTO AN AMS UPPER ELEMENTARY PROGRAM AFTER APPRENTICESHIP WITH MRS. THOMPSON!
WHEN DID YOU START TEACHING? I HAVE BEEN TEACHING SINCE 2011, BUT I HAVE BEEN WITH LOVE OF LEARNING SINCE 2017
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART? I LOVE READ TO SUCCEED. IT IS SO LOVELY SEEING CHILDREN FALL IN LOVE WITH A NEW BOOK, AND THEN GET DRESSED UP AS A CHARACTER!
find me at harborside campus
Deborah Giordano, Elementary Teacher
years at lol: 13 years
experience: ams elementary 1 certification from cmte/ny, ba in language and literature from college at old westbury, 19 years classroom experience
Favorite Montessori activity : test tube division because it’s a favorite of the students and it’s lovely to see them practicing “grace & courtesy” while learning together!
what is your Favorite lol Tradition? our Thanksgiving Celebration where the whole school joins together for a meal and the festivities continue with a hike in the woods and a barn fire where we toast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate.
find me at top of the hill campus
Sarah Hodgkinson, Elementary Teacher
years at lol: 3 years in the classroom, 3 years running little learners
experience: Bachelor of Science (BSc) Psychology, Post Graduate Certificate in Education specializing in the middle years (7-11 year olds), 10 years teaching as Lead teacher - 7-11 year olds in the UK, AMS Montessori Certification - Elementary I - 6-9 years from mettc.
what is your favorite school lunch? every family hot lunch - It is a wonderful sight to see the happiness and pride of children and their families serving each other.
What is your favorite LOL tradition? the end of year celebration concerts. Watching the very youngest children in the school performing their songs with such enthusiasm and pride and then seeing the enormous growth of the 6th grade graduates who speak and act with such confidence. A Montessori Metamorphosis right in front of our eyes! Then they all sing 'This Montessori Light of mine...". Just beautiful.
find me at harborside campus
Grace Lee, Assistant Teacher, incoming Lower El Teacher
Years at Lol: 10 years
Experience: Master degree in Special Education and General Education from Concordia college, Early Education Montessori certification from West Side Montessori Teacher Education Program. upcoming: will be doing her Lower Elementary Montessori certification, also through West Side Montessori Teacher Education Program, this summer.
find me at top of the hill campus
Assistant Teachers
Diana Bennencase, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 6 years
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Toni DiNunzio, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 14 years
experience: 24 years experience working with children, 21 years in the classroom
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Jami Doria Goleski, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 2 years
experience: undergraduate degree in Elementary Ed and a Masters in Special Ed, over 15 years of early education teaching
What do you do when you're not teaching? I'm a hula hoop dancer and a crafter! I love sharing my passion of creative art & movement with all who are interested.
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Atsuko Inoue, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 15 years
experience: 18 years classroom experience
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Jane Neithardt, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 11 years
experience: NYS permanent public school teacher certification, ms in education from dowling college, 26 years classroom experience
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Sandy Ramalho, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 3 years
experience: 20 years working with children
find me at top of the hill campus
Carolyn Rice, assistant teacher
years at lol: 7 years
experience: AMI Elementary Assistant Certification
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Jeannette Smith, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 8 years
experience: bs with a concentration in early childhood and visual arts from dowling college, 17 years experience working with children
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Hui-wen Yen, Assistant Teacher
years at lol: 3 years
experience: 32 years of experience teaching music to children, 28 years of classroom experience, 19 years of montessori classroom experience
find me at top of the hill campus
Administrative Staff
courtney Thaler, administrator
years at lol: 8 years as a parent, 2 years as PTA president, 2nd year as administrator and head of our nutrition program
experience: teaches dance, ukuele, drama and cooking, certified birth and post-partum doula, experienced in catering from 8 years as a television field producer and audio tech
first aid and cpr certified
find me at harborside campus
Specials & Ancillary Teachers
keri puglisi, office manager
YEARS AT LOL: 8 YEARS AS A PARENT, 5 1/2 YEARS AS PTA PRESIDENT, 7 YEARS AS ANCILLARY TEACHER OF KNITTING, SEWING, DRAMA AND ART. 1ST YEAR AS OFFICE MANAGER
EXPERIENCE: TEACHES KNITTING AND SEWING AT EMMALOOPS CRAFT STUDIO, NEST ON MAIN IN NORTHPORT AND HARBORFIELDS HACEF SUMMER CAMPS. TEACHES DRAMA AND ART AT POSEY DANCE IN NORTHPORT. DEVELOPED CURRICULUM FOR TECHNICAL DESIGN MAJOR AT FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. DEVELOPED AND WROTE TWO COURSES FOR FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING WRITING AND PUBLISHING COMPANION BOOK FOR PRODUCT DATA MANAGEMENT CLASS, WHICH IS STILL BEING TAUGHT AT THE SCHOOL.
15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING, USING TECHNOLOGY AND BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE BUSINESS PROCESSES FOR DOZENS OF COMPANIES.
FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFIED
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Liz Gray, Extended Day & Camp Co-Director
fall, winter, and spring: Find me at harborside
summer: find me at top of the hill
Maggie Cotignola, Music Teacher
What is your Favorite school lunch ?thursday hot lunches that are served by students and their families. the enthusiasm and pride that the serving students have in sharing their favorite meal with their classmates and teachers is a pleasure to witness.
What is Your Favorite LOL Tradition?Thanksgiving - Each class brings something to eat that is shared with the whole school. There is music, a hike, hot chocolate and marshmallows to end the festivities; all components for a perfect afternoon for adults and children!
You can find me making music most frequently at Harborside, and one day a week at Top of the Hill
Tony Formosa, Maintenance
what is your Favorite school Activity? the Biking and hiking field trips.
what is your Favorite Lunch? Hot lunches prepared by LOL families
fun fact: My daughter, Melanie, an lol alum helps me maintain our school and provide assistance with other LOL activities.
find me at harborside campus
lisa dipaola breen, art teacher
years at lol: 2 years
experience: UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES IN FINE ARTS AND FASHION DESIGN FROM THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, WORKED AS A FASHION DESIGNER IN NEW YORK CITY’S GARMENT DISTRICT FOR A LEADING CHILDREN’S WEAR MANUFACTURER, STARTED HER OWN SMALL BUSINESS DESIGNING CUSTOM BRIDAL VEILS, ACCESSORIES AND FLOWER GIRL DRESSES. ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN MONTESSORI AND THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH
Alma Carr, Spanish Teacher
years at lol: 12 years
experience: 12 years
what is your favorite thing about teaching? I am always amazed when I casually speak in spanish outside the classroom and the kids respond .... they are always paying attention!
find me at harborside campus