Our Faculty and Staff

	Jeff Allen, M.A. — Head of Upper School - Secondary Montessori Guide Contact Jeff Jeff joined New Gate last year, coming to us from the Cape Cod Montessori School, a small Montessori Middle and High School in Massachusetts, where he was both Lead Teacher and Head of School. This will be Jeff's sixteenth year in teaching, his second at New Gate. In addition to his Montessori experience, Jeff has been a teacher for more than ten years in both private and public schools, where he taught English, history, math, and maritime studies. He holds a B.A. in History and English from Tufts University; M.A. in Teaching from Simmons College. Jeff has also completed the NAMTA Montessori Orientation for Adolescent Studies at Hiram College. His interests include sailing, bicycling, woodworking, and spending time with his family.
	Cheryl Allen, M.A., AMS — Upper Elementary Montessori Guide Contact Cheryl Cheryl joined New Gate last year, moving to Sarasota with her husband, Jeff Allen, from Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, where she taught Elementary Montessori at the Sandwich Montessori School. She seventeen years of teaching experience. Cheryl attended Montessori school from age 2 through 3rd grade. Cheryl earned her BA in History from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and a Masters in Teaching from Simmons College in Boston, MA. Cheryl is an AMS-MACTE certified Early Childhood and Elementary Montessori teacher. She is currently engaged in a three-year-long IMC certification program in advanced elementary Montessori studies. Cheryl loves to create things especially baking, sewing, and crafts. She also loves spending time with her family.
	Almudena (Almu) Anderson, B.A. — Lower Elementary Montessori Guide • Secondary Spanish Contact Almu This will be Almu's 19th year of teaching, her 13th at New Gate. Almu holds a B.A. in Human Development from Eckerd College, and a second B.A. Elementary Education from the University of Valladoliz in her native Spain. She began teaching in 1990, Montessori teaching in 1999, and Joined New Gate in 2001. Almu is currently engaged in a three-year-long IMC certification program in advanced elementary Montessori studies.Almu enjoys playing tennis, yoga and traveling; She is also learning Italian.
	Marjory Barksdale, B.A., AMI — Early Childhood Montessori Guide Contact Marjory Marjory earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from North Park University, and her AMI Primary Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Midwest Montessori Institute. This will be Marjorie's twenty-sixth year in the classroom. She began teaching in 1963 and joined New Gate School in 1998. She is a former Primary Coordinator at Lake Forest Montessori and Board Member of Lake Bluff Montessori. Marjory likes cycling and is a patron of the arts- Selby Gardens, Sarasota Ballet, Venice Little Theatre and the Venice Symphony.
	Eva Bogard, Ph.D. — Adjunct Faculty - German • Information Technology • International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Curriculum Consultant C ontact Eva Eva Bogard has a doctoral degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, in Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Technology (SLAIT). Her Master's degree is also from USF Tampa in Foreign Language Education. While at the State University of New York in Oswego, Eva earned a Bachelor's degree in German and French. She has been teaching for over twenty years, including both public and private schools; ranging from Montessori primary programs through university courses at USF and the University of Tampa. Currently she teaches German and Information Technology in the International Baccalaureate program at the high school level in Sarasota, Florida. Eva also teaches Dual Enrollment classes for South College of Florida.
	Mabi del Villar, B.A. - Primary Assistant Teacher C ontact Mabi Mabi was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the states when she was 4 years old and grew up in Pennsylvania. She earned a BA in Psychology from Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois. Mabi was a Parenting Educator for the Head Start program. She is an active administrative member of the Instituto Cristiano San Lucas in the Dominican Republic. She enjoys yoga, gardening, and snow boarding.
	Kathleen Groskopf, M.Ed. — College Counselor Contact Kathleen Kathleen holds a BA in Elementary Education from Saint Mary's College and an M. Ed. in Guidance Counseling and Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo. Kathleen began teaching and guidance in 1979 and she joined New Gate School in 2002. Kathleen enjoys tennis, golf, sewing, organizing, water skiing, swimming, the beach and travel.
	Robin Howe, M.A., AMS — Upper Elementary Montessori Guide Contact Robin Robin Howe is a Montessori educator and an International Baccalaureate Middle Years teacher and program administrator. Robin attended Montessori from age 2 through the 8th grade at the Barrie School in Maryland. He earned his B.A. in Spanish and Religion at Dickinson College; and an M.A. in Bioethics from the University of South Florida. Robin has taught Montessori at the early childhood and elementary levels. He holds an AMS-MACTE Montessori teacher certification. Robin is currently working on his M.B.A. from the University of Tampa and is completing his 6-12 Elementary Montessori teaching credential at St. Catherine's University. He is an avid marathon runner and soccer player.
	Liz Jones, Ph.D. - Music and Voice Contact Liz Liz earned her B.M. and M.M. in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy at Colorado Christian University and the University of Northern Colorado, respectively, and her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts at Ohio University. She has had the opportunity to be a part of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and sing at Carnegie Hall with a large choir under the direction of composer and conductor John Rutter. All of these experiences and more, albeit wonderful, pale in comparison to her love of teaching. Liz has taught voice for 7+ years. 1996-1998, she was the Director of Master’s Kids (grades 2-6) and Master’s Touch (grades 7-12) Home School Choirs, Aurora, CO. They performed large concerts with choreography and split-choir entrances. The Master’s Kids performed 3- and 4-part harmony, and Master’s Touch performed 4- to 6-part harmony. Her love of teaching continued at Ohio University as a Graduate Instructor for the School of Interdisciplinary Arts, introducing students to the world of art and opening their eyes to the global community in which they live. Besides Einstein quotes, one of Liz’s personal motto’s is: “I teach because I love to help people discover their unique greatness...I teach singing because each of us has a song that waits to be sung.”
	Rebecca Johnson, BA, AMS - Early Childhood Montessori Guide Contact Rebecca Rebecca has taught for ten years and has also served in educational program administration. She holds a BA from the University of South Florida and an AMS-MACTE Montessori teacher certificate. Rebecca loves many sports and is an active runner and Tai Kwon Do master.
	Amy Kremer — Secondary Guide • English Contact Amy High School English Teacher. Amy has her B.A. in Anthropology, Loyola University; M.A. in Experiential Education, Prescott College. Amy began teaching in 1996 and joined New Gate School in 2002. Amy enjoys travel, hiking and world music.
	Alina Kipchumba, Ph.D. — Secondary Science and Mathematics Contact Alina Secondary and College Science instructor. Alina has been a college and high school science instructor for over 15 years. She has taught a wide variety of science classes such as introduction to biology, ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, marine science, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition. Prior to teaching, she worked as a conservation biologist in Kenya. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and a doctoral degree in biological science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Alina is an avid reader. She enjoys reading biographies, scientific journals, and current affairs; watches scientific documentaries and sports (especially soccer and tennis); loves gardening, walking at the beach, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
	Roberta (Robby) Schlessinger - Art Contact Robby Roberta Francis Schlesinger, better known to her students as Ms. Robby, is an award-winning botanical artist. She is a graduate of the Botanical Art and Illustration Program at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Ms. Robby plans to bring a fine arts based curriculum to New Gate Field School. Ms. Robby is a Sarasota resident. She is married with three children. Her sons, Sam and Nathan attended New Gate school for several years.
	Lauren Speed — Toddler Montessori Guide Contact Lauren Lauren has her AMS Infant/Toddler Teaching Certificate, South Florida/MEC, West Palm Beach, FL. She began teaching in 1992 and joined New Gate School in 1999. Lauren enjoys the ballet, music and movies.
	Donna Turoff — Elementary Montessori Guide - Secondary Teacher Contact Donna Secondary Mathematics. Donna has her B.S. Mathematics, minor in Psychology, Stetson University; Graduate work at Illinois Institute of Technology; AMS Elementary Teaching Certificate; Donna began teaching Montessori and joined New Gate in 2004; Donna is a professional baker supplying 3 - 4 restaurants in Sarasota. She loves to spend time with her family when not baking or teaching.
	Debbie Vale — Lower Elementary Montessori Guide & Drama Teacher Contact Debbie Debbie earned her B.A. in Communications from the State University of New York - Oswego, and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She earned her Elementary Teaching Certification from California State University - Los Angeles, and hold AMS Elementary Montessori Teaching Certification. She began teaching in 1989 and joined New Gate and began Montessori teaching in 1994; Debbie has been the drama director at New Gate since 1995, directing Shakespeare in the Upper Elementary program. She has been the coordinator for the yearly opera production, the great books program and works with the Florida Studio Theatre Young Playwrights Festival. Debbie is owned by Frisco, her Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Ziggy her rescue mix.
	David Villani — Physical Education Contact David Dave served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years. He has worked with Real Estate investments and property renovations for 20 years. He was also a purchasing agent for 18 years. Dave joined New Gate School in 2006 and works as the Elementary and Secondary PE instructor and after-care specialist. Dave enjoys all kinds of fitness activities: running, biking and weights. Dave has completed the Marine Corps Marathon.

Administrative Staff
	Lorin Bleecker - Director of Operations, The Montessori Foundation Contact Lorin Lorin oversees the school's business operations and facilities manageemnt for the Montessori Foundation. He holds a B.S. from the School of Government and Public Administration at the American University, where he also earned his Juris Doctorate. Lorin is an avid horseman and has spearheaded the introducion of the equestrian program into the school this year.

	Stanley Gill, Maintenance and Bus Driver Stanley was born in the Australian Outback on his family’s Wild West Show. When he first started in his career he was a bronco rider, bull rider and a rodeo clown. Later he came to America and travelled for many years with the Ringling Brothers Circus as a trapeze artist. His flying act, The Flying Waynes, was the first flying act to perform at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. His travels have taken him throughout many places of the world including, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and every state except Alaska in the United States. Stanley has had more than enough fun and he is happy to be the bus driver at The NewGate-Field School.
	Lorna McGrath, Associate Head of School Contact Lorna Lorna is Director of Family Resources at the Montessori Foundation. She also serves as Associate Head of School and Director of the NGFS Parent/Infant Program Lorna has 35 years of experience in the field of education, teaching children from 18 months through 6 years old and from 12 through 18 years old in both public schools and independent Montessori schools. She received her Masters Degree in Education with a concentration in Family Counseling from the University of Georgia, and her Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society. For 15 years, Lorna was an administrator at the New Gate School, working closely for seven years of that period with Montessori Foundation President, Tim Seldin. During her tenure at New Gate, she played several important roles: Admissions Director, Compliance Officer, Educational Coordinator, and Interim Head of School. Lorna was also the Director of the former New Gate Center for Montessori Teacher Education. Lorna is a Montessori teacher educator, conference presenter, and school consultant. She has also spent many years as a certified instructor for the International Network for Children & Families, teaching classes in Redirecting Childrens Behavior, Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom, Common Ground for Parents and Teens, and Parenting Instructor Network Training.
	Tim Seldin — Head of School Contact Tim Tim Seldin is the President of the Montessori Foundation and Chair of the International Montessori Council. He is a noted Montessori teacher trainer, school consultant, and keynote speaker at scores of Montessori conferences around the world, including the Montessori Foundation's annual international conference, which is held in Sarasota every November. Tim has 42 years of experience in Montessori education, beginning with 25 years as a Montessori teacher and Headmaster of the Barrie School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was founded by his family in 1932, and which he attended from age 2 through high school graduation. As President of the Montessori Foundation, he served as Head of the New Gate School from 1993 through 1999, during the years when New Gate was the Lab School of the Montessori Foundation. Tim was, with Harvey Hallenberg, the co-founder and Director of the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. Tim earned a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Georgetown University, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from The American University, and his Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society. He is the author or co-author of several books, including: The Montessori Way How To Raise An Amazing Child The Montessori Way The World in the Palm of Her Hand Celebrations of Life Building a World-Class Montessori School Developing a Summer Program for Your Montessori School Finding the Perfect Match-Recruit and Retain Your Ideal Enrollment Master Teachers - Model Programs Organizing a New Montessori School Fundamentals of Fund Raising The Montessori School Board Member's Handbook Tim served for many years as an officer on the Board of the American Montessori Society.