
ABOUT CASTLE ISLAND
BILINGUAL MONTESSORI
Committed to Education
On September 17, 2012, Castle Island opened with just six children.
Years later, we are now well-established school where children thrive in their own independence, confidence,
depth of knowledge and skill, and kind empathy for their diverse peers whose individual strengths
are highlighted in their classroom community.
Castle Island Bilingual Montessori was founded with one purpose -
to build a space for all students to grow, learn and create with each passing day. Through a unique teaching approach and a truly passionate staff, we help students develop academically and personally to the highest level.
We invite you to explore our site and discover the academics and community Castle Island Bilingual Montessori
provides to each and every student. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour and
learn more about enrollment and what a Castle Island graduate can do!

LEADERSHIP
School Founder & Director
Diane M Nickerson, MS Ed
Passionate about creating a school environment with the highest quality of education, Diane founded Castle Island Bilingual Montessori, a Spanish immersion elementary school, for children living in the Capital Region. She sought to establish an independent school that merges optimal learning environments for both bilingual language immersion and the Montessori educational approach. With 30 years of experience as an educator, she has achieved NYS certificates as a teacher of elementary education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish, and as a K-12 Administrator. Her career has included work as a bilingual teacher trainer and as a Montessori school administrator. Trained in Montessori school management at the Center for Montessori Education | New York, she holds an Administrator Credential from the American Montessori Society. Her degrees include a BA in Anthropology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and a MS in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from SUNY at Albany.
​
She leads the school community in a brand new Downtown Albany facility, fostering an optimal intercultural and innovative learning environment, and guiding work toward continual school improvement to meet Castle Island's mission: providing accessibly, world-class education. Her career has included work as a teacher spanning early childhood through secondary levels, a bilingual teacher trainer, and a Montessori school administrator. Diane is also involved with policy advocacy at the statewide level in her work as an officer of the board of the NYS Montessori Alliance.
​
She is proud that Castle Island, with its mission towards social justice, creates an intentional and inclusive space for learning where each child and their family is honored. When not working on developing the programs and growth of the school, she cooks dinner for her family, practices competitive Irish step dance, enjoys the Adirondacks for hiking and skiing, listens to her four bilingual sons share about their day and about their dreams.
Governance
Board of Trustees
President Edward (Ed) A Nickerson, president@castleislandmontessori.org
Vice-President Sean Nolan
Treasurer Ana Gaby Montemayor
Secretary Jennifer (Jen) Kareklas
​
Ex-officio Member Diane M Nickerson
Member Marcela Gaudín
Member Yvette Malave DiazMember
Member Dr Keara Sease
CREDENTIALS
& MEMBERSHIPS
New York Capital Region Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
New York State Montessori Alliance
National Association of Independent Schools
