Torit Faculty and Staff
The Torit faculty are the key ingredient to the educational experience that makes our students’ time at Torit so enriching and successful. Torit teachers come from more than a half-dozen different countries, speak multiple languages, hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and bring a vast array of educational and life experiences to the classroom. Our lead teachers and teachers are certified/licensed, and all of our faculty and staff undergo regular background checks and fingerprinting, in accordance with state requirements.
Administrators and Staff
David Liebmann
Head of School
David Liebmann joined Torit as head of school after previously serving as Assistant Head of a Montessori school in Back Bay.
“After 30 years as a teacher and administrator in five nationally-recognized PK-12 and PK-8 independent schools, I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to lead Torit forward,” he said.
David notes that Maria Montessori was one of Italy’s first female physicians. “Trained as a scientist but stymied by the gender biases of the early 1900s, Montessori became interested in education,” David said. “She used her training as an observer to develop child-centered theories that put human growth first, that prioritized curiosity and intrinsic motivation, and that used materials to allow children to discover the world around them.”
“I’m particularly interested as an educator in learning about self and other. Young children build the foundations for productive, meaningful lives from their earliest days. Torit engages all their senses and all their abilities in ways that are unique to our Boston location. As an infant through sixth grade school literally across the street from Mass General Hospital, I’m excited to explore ways to embrace science and the humanities, very much in the spirit of Dr. Montessori.”
David is an accessible leader and values the opportunity to know students and their families in a community like Torit. “I hope to make everyone at Torit feel known and needed,” he said.
A graduate of Middlebury College, Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, David also writes for magazines ranging from Independent School to Net Assets to Birding. He and his family live on the North Shore with their mini goldendoodle, Gnocchi.
Sherla Collymore-Phillips
Associate Head of School
Sherla has spent more than thirty years in education at the primary and secondary school levels. She has been a teacher and administrator at Torit for fourteen years. She is Montessori certified for preprimary and elementary, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in literature, linguistics, and sociology from the University of the West Indies.
ELIZABETH (LIZ) HAngen
Admissions Director
Liz joined the Torit administrative team in 2021 as Admissions Director after nine years of teaching, including 4 years as a toddler lead teacher at Torit. Liz holds a B.A. from Emmanuel College, and a M.A. in child development from Tufts University. She is Montessori certified at the Infant/Toddler level and Lead Teacher certified through the MA Department of Early Education and Care.
Lana mchugh
office manager
Before coming to Torit, Lana worked at a private equity company in New York for 6 years while also nannying part time. After moving to Cambridge, Lana was looking for a change of work environment but also for something that would suit her strong administrative background. She discovered Torit and found it to be a great match. Lana is excited to be a part of the school, learn more about the Montessori method, and build relationships with the students, faculty and parents. Lana holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine.
Lisa Finneran
Chef
Lisa brings over ten years of experience as a professional chef and the knowledge of food’s power to bring people together. “It connects us with our culture, our community, our climate and most importantly, ourselves." Lisa holds a B.A. in communications from UMass Amherst. In a past life, she worked as a writer and producer for television and film. She’s published a book, Notes To The Fairy (Andrews McMeel), received an Emmy for the documentary On Thin Ice, is mildly obsessed with garlic, and currently working on a children’s cookbook focusing on food rescue.
Adalberto “Berto” Martinez
Kitchen Assistant
Berto grew up cooking along side his mom, and delivering delicious meals has always been a big part of his life. He loves making everyone happy especially, the students, and strives to always make the best meals possible.
Faculty
Elementary Teachers
Alison Farrer
Lead upper Elementary Teacher
Alison joined Torit in 2021 and has been teaching elementary students in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since 2016. Alison holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Salem State University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus in instructing English Language Learners from Merrimack College.
Dan Scranton
Elementary History Teacher
A teacher since 2015, Dan is our resident history teacher and coordinator for the after-school program. Dan studied anthropology as an undergrad and later earned his master’s degree in education at Endicott College. Dan loves gardening, all Boston sports, and outdoor activities. He is affectionately called “Mr. Dan” by nearly all Torit students, with the exception of his twins in Toddler 2, who call him Dada. He is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Early Childhood Director I.
Cici Martignetti
Elementary Art Teacher
Cici is our leave-replacement elementary art teacher. After receiving a degree in art education and special education from the University of Vermont, Cici has had the privilege of teaching many students the joys that come with exploring creativity and making art. She feels so grateful to be a part of this terrific community and cannot wait to see what each student will create.
Judy Cavanaugh
Lead Lower Elementary Teacher
Pre K/Kindergarten Liaison
Judy is one of Torit’s longest-tenured teachers and administrators. She has been an educator in Boston for more than 30 years, and at Torit since 2011, where she has taught preprimary, lower elementary, and was Early Childhood Director. She holds certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Childhood Teacher and Director II. She is Montessori certified for ages three through six. Judy holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Salem State College.
PREPRIMARY TEACHERS
Aisling Lavelle
Preprimary Extended Day Teacher
Aisling is an Assistant Toddler Teacher and is currently earning her EEC certification. Aisling graduated with a B.S. in biology with a minor in neuroscience from Gettysburg College in 2022. She has previously worked as a preschool camp counselor and a children’s soccer coach. She enjoys everything science related, exploring nature, and spending time with her dogs.
Alyssa Pelkey
Preprimary Teacher
Alyssa joined Torit in 2021 after moving to Boston from her lifelong home of Vermont. She graduated from Northern Vermont University in 2018 with a bachelor’s in elementary and early childhood education and has been working with children since her first job as a camp counselor. She most enjoys watching young children develop the same curiosity and love of learning that inspired her to become a teacher.
Dounia Kabbaj
Preprimary Co-Lead Teacher
Arabic Teacher
A native speaker of Arabic as well as French, Dounia is originally from Morocco and has been teaching at Torit since 2013. She earned her Montessori certification for ages three to six in 2015 and holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Suffolk University.
Eleanor finn
Early Preschool Teacher
Originally from Cincinnati, OH., Eleanor received her bachelor's degree from High Point University, where she majored in nonprofit management and event planning. Before coming to Torit, Eleanor taught at a Montessori school in Cincinnati for four years and is working towards her master's in early childhood development at Xavier University. As an educator, her goal is to not only help children grow as learners, but also grow as individuals so they can become the best version of themselves.
amanda hopson
Preprimary teacher
Amanda Hopson has worked with children for twenty years and has been teaching for a decade. A graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA, Amanda grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, and holds a B.A. in English Literature from UVA. She moved to New York City and obtained her AMS Early Childhood certification in 2013 and then her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education and New York State Certification in 2015. Amanda taught in a bilingual French-English early childhood program at The École in Flatiron, and in the NYC Montessori school community at West Side Montessori School and at Metropolitan Montessori School teaching in the Primary classroom with a focus on kindergarten and literacy instruction. She joined Hopscotch Montessori School in 2019, taking on the role of Education Director full-time in 2020, and continuing in that role for three years. She is very excited to return to the classroom as a co lead teacher at Torit Montessori! Amanda loves travel, is fluent in French, and is a certified Music Together instructor. She has recently moved to Boston with her fiancé, Nic, and is looking forward to getting to know the city!
Gennica Etienne
Early preschool teacher
Gennica was born in Haiti and speaks Haitian Creole, French, and "un poco" of Spanish. She holds a bachelor's degree in education, is certified by the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center, and has been teaching for 13 years. She is also a certified nursing assistant and holds an associates degree in human services. Gennica was a kindergarten teacher in Haiti before joining Torit in 2019. She was raised in a Montessori household and went to a Montessori school herself growing up. Outside of school, Gennica loves spending time with her family.
Nakia Reyes
Preprimary Teacher
Nakia joined Torit Montessori in the fall of 2014. She immediately loved the Montessori philosophy and received her Montessori certification in 2015 at New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. Nakia has worked in education for 20 years and enjoys traveling and learning from other cultures. Nakia hold a B.A. from Eastern Nazerene College.
Natalia Sesma-Boussios
Preprimary Spanish Teacher
Natalia is a native Spanish speaker, born and raised in Mexico. She holds a bachelor’s degree in arts of education and is Montessori certified and language teaching certified. She joined Torit in 2013 as a Preprimary co-teacher and currently is focused on leading the Spanish program throughout the school. Culture and language are her passions, and she loves to see children learn new languages.
Riah Schauder
Extended Day Teacher
Riah is an enthusiastic educator who loves fostering the educational and social emotional growth of her students. She completed her undergraduate degree in liberal studies from San Francisco State University. She has experience working both inside and outside of the classroom, from teaching in elementary schools abroad to designing government course curriculum for numerous countries and territories. Riah joined Torit in 2023.
Sunny lin
mandarin Teacher
Originally from mainland China, Sunny taught Mandarin in her home country. She started teaching Mandarin language, literature, and culture in the US in 2012. Sunny has taught Mandarin to students as a second or third language, to heritage learners, and native speakers. The independent schools she has worked for include Governor’s Academy, Nobles and Greenough, International School of Boston, and BB&N. She holds two master’s degrees from the University of Maine. Besides teaching, Sunny enjoys cooking, as well as reading, especially Chinese classics.
Yiting Lee
Preprimary Lead Teacher
Yiting obtained her Montessori certification in 2021. She graduated from UMass Amherst with a master’s degree in early childhood education and is Montessori certified for children ages three to six. Yiting started teaching children ages one and a half to six years old in 2014. She joined Torit in 2017.
Infant and Toddler Teachers
Adriana Maisano
Toddler assistant Teacher
Adriana has been with Torit since 2021 in the infant room. She has taught children of all ages since 2015. Adriana is now working towards her Montessori certification in Infant/Toddlers.
Alexia Cuellar
Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher
Alexia was born in Panama City, Panama. Before moving to Boston in 2007, Alexia grew up living in Haiti, Dominican Republic and Brazil. At that time, she started working with Boston Public Schools as a paraprofessional. Alexia started working with Torit in 2017 as a part of the extended day and summer programs. Alexia is a EEC certified teacher working with toddlers.
Ali Colman Young Toddler Lead Teacher
Ali completed her first year at Torit in the 2022-2023 school year. She has been working in the field of education since 2015, teaching in early childhood education- ages six months through five years- and as an ABA teacher working with children and young adults. She holds her M.Ed. in early childhood education from Worcester State University. Ali is currently working towards her Montessori certification for infants/toddlers.
Angelique Jackson
float teacher
Angelique joined Torit Montessori in 2023. She has worked with youth from ages seven months to nine years. She holds an associate degree from Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and is currently continuing her studies at UMass, Boston.
Chaymaa Chehboune
Young Toddler Assistant Teacher
Arabic Teacher
Chaymaa joined Torit in 2019. She grew up and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Morocco and worked in the field of pediatric physical therapy for five years before becoming a teacher. She is fluent in both Arabic and French.
dayi ting
Toddler Extended day Teacher
Dayi graduated from Boston University in 2022 with a degree in behavior and health. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin. During her time in college, Dayi worked as an assistant teacher in infant/toddler and pre-k classrooms. After graduating, Dayi spent her first year post-grad teaching English in Vietnam before coming back and joining Torit.
Deidre Hayman
Toddler Teacher
A Torit team member since 2019, Deidre has an associate degree in behavioral science and several years of experience in the medical field.
Elena wickersham
infant/Toddler teacher
Elena came to Torit in 2022 and has enjoyed being a teacher to several toddler classrooms. She has a B.A. in early childhood education from Elon University and a M.Ed. in reading education from Vanderbilt University. Elena loves spending time with young children and working alongside the wonderful staff and community of families at Torit.
Erica Klarman
Toddler Extended Day Teacher
Erica joined Torit in fall 2023 as a toddler extended day teacher. She earned her B.A. in political science from Syracuse University and is currently earning her EEC certification. Erica has worked as a nanny for several years, and she has experience as a camp counselor in her hometown. In her free time, Erica loves to read and spend time with her friends and family.
Kandice Long
infant/Toddler Extended day Teacher
Kandice graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Georgia's Augusta University in 2019 and was a research assistant before pivoting to teaching and working with children. She has served in two schools previously working as a behavioral therapist. Kandice is EEC Director certified and enjoys researching various topics, creating café goods at home, and spending time exploring all that Massachusetts has to offer.
Karina Percico
Teacher
Karina joined Torit in 2023. She was born and raised in Brazil and has been working with the Montessori method for the past 12 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in education and physical therapy as well as a graduate degree in early childhood Montessori education and child development. She is a Montessori-certified Educator, both at the Infant-Toddler and Early Childhood levels. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her daughter, Bella, and her family, traveling and experiencing new cultures.
Lisa Khalil
Toddler Teacher
Lisa joined Torit Montessori in 2014, and she is a currently a Toddler Lead teacher. Lisa has worked the summer program since joining Torit, and relishes sharing her love for the city with her class, helping integrate many students new to Torit in the summer. Lisa has a myriad of professional experiences, including a Montessori infant-toddler certification. She also treasures creating memories with her four young grandsons.
Maria Acosta
Toddler Teacher
Maria, originally from El Salvador, moved to Boston in 2005. She has been working with Preprimary and Early Preschool children at Torit since 2018 and has extensive experience working with children aged 2.5 to 6 years old. She enjoys engaging in art and reading activities with her students, as well as taking them on trips to the museum. Maria is also passionate about sharing her culture and teaching Spanish.
ruwandi wijenayake
infant/Toddler Extended day Teacher
Before joining Torit, Ruwandi earned a bachelor's in human development & family studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and she is now a master's student at Boston University Medical School. With diverse experience across age groups and a background in Montessori education, Ruwandi is fueled by a passion for nurturing young minds and strives to foster meaningful learning environments.
Sandy Krauss
Lead infant Teacher
Sandy joined the Torit team in 2010. Sandy truly enjoys our youngest students and partnering with families. She loves to see her student’s growth within our school community. Sandy holds an early childhood education associate degree from Mass Bay Community College and is a licensed EEC Lead Teacher and Director II. Sandy spends her free time with her family including her own children ranging from ages 13-33 and her guinea pigs.
Xia Ling
Toddler Teacher
Xia Ling is a skilled educator and native Mandarin speaker. She holds state licensing in infant, toddler, and preschool education, and a master's degree in Fine Arts. She is currently pursuing Montessori training, after four years of teaching children aged 15 months to 5 years. Beyond education, she finds joy in movies, hiking, and cherishing the company of her two beloved cats.
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Ajay Sonalkar
Athletics teacher
Ajay started his career working in finance and economics and holds a master’s degree from University of Texas. He pivoted to coaching soccer and tennis and now coaches top USTA national athletes as well as a soccer team at Cambridge Youth Soccer. Ajay brings tremendous energy to sports, encouraging effort, hard work, friendship, and kindness. Ajay has been running the soccer program at Torit since 2020, and his students have developed a joy for playing and strong bonds on the sports pitch.
Masiah leander-wess
teaching fellow
Originally from Chicago, IL, Masiah is in her final semester at Northeastern University studying political science and business administration. She has nine years of experience working with youth from ages 11 months - 17 years at summer camps, Montessori schools, nannying, and organizations like Girls in The Game and Strong Women Strong Girls. Masiah enjoys going to art museums and traveling.
hana chwe
music teacher
Hana Chwe is a pianist, vocalist, and cellist based in Boston. After moving from Los Angeles, where she taught private lessons and early childhood music classes, she started Berklee's master of music education program. In addition to her work at Torit, Hana currently teaches early childhood music with neurodivergent students.