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Employment Opportunities
Castle Island seeks prepared, positive and productive professionals for employment anticipated for the
2025-2026 Academic Year:​
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Volunteer Library Coordinator
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Volunteer Guest Presenters:​
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chess
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gardening
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cooking
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yoga
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etc
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Send resume and cover letter to: ​
Diane M Nickerson, School Director
DIANE M NICKERSON
School Director
Diane holds an AMS (American Montessori Society) Administrator Credential from Center for Montessori Education | NY, a Masters Degree in Educational Policy Studies & Administration from UAlbany, and NYS certifications: Elementary, ENL, Spanish and Administration (SA/S). She has been a board officer of the NYS Montessori Alliance since 2020 and represents PK-12 Montessorians at the NYS Education Department's Commissioner's Advisory Council for Religious & Independent Schools.
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She knows that the kind of environment adults provide for children matters. Diane believes that how children spend their days directly impacts the who they become as they grow into adulthood. Having researched best practices for pedagogy, she found that the Montessori method provides the best comprehensive approach to foster children's development toward their potential and joy. She is proud of the young men her four sons are becoming and of every child she's had the honor to observe grow throughout her more than thirty years in education, especially those lucky enough to have attended a Montessori school.
LATISIA JOHNSON
Elementary Co-Lead Guide
Movement with Music Guide
Latisia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Dance Therapy rom Sage College and is excited to be starting her elementary Montessori training at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies this Academic Year. She has worked with children in schools throughout the region with dance and movement for over 10 years. She is the owner of Moved2BMoved, a dance studio in Colonie, and is looking forward to leading the community of elementary children in Comunidad Azul.
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LUISA PUENTE
Early Childhood Co-Lead Guide
Luisa has an Associate's Degree in Office Management and has worked in her country of origin of Ecuador as a teaching assistant to preschool children at the private school, "Academia General Carlos Machado." Luisa has been an assistant teacher at Castle Island since 2016.
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Her interest is to contribute to the integral development of children by becoming a guide that provides an appropriate working environment for the children. By taking care of the specific classroom materials, helping them when they need it, and encouraging their all efforts, she aspires to assist in the development of the children's cognitive skills within an atmosphere of joy, respect, and community. Luisa believes that the children's freedom to choose promotes respect and potential for their abilities, allowing them to develop their own learning and cognitive skills.
CLAUDIA DILIBERTO
Early Childhood Lead Guide
Movement with Sports Guide
Claudia holds an AMI Primary (3–6) Diploma from the Montessori Training Center Northeast (MTCNE) and a Bachelor's Degree in Law from USMP College in Peru. She is a bilingual Montessori guide (English/Spanish) with over nine years of experience working with children, including volunteering with children with special needs in both schools and private homes.
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Claudia is currently a Primary guide at Castle Island, where she leads a Montessori classroom rooted in the AMI tradition. She is passionate about creating meaningful relationships with her students, helping each child develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning. Her approach is grounded in respect for the unique potential of every child.
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Outside the classroom, Claudia enjoys reading, playing soccer, and teaching Spanish.
MARIA ARROYO
Toddler & Elementary Lead Guide
Maria holds a PAMS (Pan-American Montessori Society) Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential from the Learning Collaborative, formally Kennesaw State University, Georgia in 2016.
She loves working with children of all ages and began her career as a speech therapist with a Bachelor's Degree from Santa Paula University. She first started working with children when during her college years as a preschool assistant, and in the process of this work was when Maria fell in love with the Montessori methodology. The way that children learn at their own pace and in a practical way and by manipulating each of the materials appealed to what she already knew about how children learn. She observed how the children can acquire knowledge easily and always seem to be inspired to learn more. In addition to supporting their achievement and promoting their independence, it was in that learning environment that she made the decision to pursue Montessori teacher training. Since 2016 she has worked as a guide for children ages 3 to 6 years old in Costa Rica before beginning work here in 2022. She is completing training towards her second Montessori credential at the Stoppani Montessori Institute for the infant and toddler level.
SARA E MERCADO
Administrative Coordinator
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from York College in Queens, New York, and a certificate in Accounting and Bookkeeping from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. With over 15 years of experience, she has been a trusted IT resource for faculty, staff, and students across three Capital Region colleges. Her expertise includes leading training seminars, writing technical documentation, providing end-user support, configuring desktops, and developing and maintaining websites—including this one!
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Originally from Nicaragua, Sara has called New York home since 1982 and is fluent in Spanish. She joined Castle Island in 2019 and has been an invaluable member of our team ever since.
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Sara warmly welcomes parents and visitors, contributing to the school’s friendly and inclusive atmosphere. She manages the school’s finances with precision, supports the admissions process, and plays a key role in our ongoing growth and development. Her forward-thinking approach and strong leadership help drive improvements in our educational programs and resources. Thanks to her dedication, our students benefit from a vibrant learning environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to succeed.
MICHAEL VANDEWAL
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Mike is a recent graduate from Maple Hill High School and enjoys fixing things and working with his hands. I enjoy learning new skills and helping out when I can! Mike is enlisted in the Army National Guard and will maintain the school facility through January 2026.
LUCY AVILES
Support Guide
Lucy holds a NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate with more than six years of experience as a teachers assistant for bilingual, ENL and special education programs at North Elementary School in Brentwood, NY.​ She discovered her passion for working with children during her teen years and decided to study early childhood education, and in addition to working with elementary children, has also worked with SIFE students for over years.
Lucy finds working in both bilingual and ENL classes to be one of the most beautiful experiences as she guides their transition from being monolingual to becoming bilingual children - reminding her of her own experience when she first arrived to the United States from Venezuela. Lucy is enthusiastic to begin her journey at Castle Island working with children and being able to observe their learning and development as they grow into to their fullest selves.
TOM MURO
Elementary Mentor Guide
CGMS Instructor
Substitute Guide
Tom holds an IMC (International Montessori Council) Elementary (ages 6-12) Credential from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS.) He also holds a Masters of Science Teaching Degree in Elementary Education and is a certified Elementary Education teacher in New York State. Before retiring in June of 2021, he taught 20 years for the Kingston City School district, 12 of those years as an Elementary (6 -9) Montessori teacher at the GW Montessori School, a Title I public Montessori school.
Tom is enjoying his retirement, but is also working for CGMS supporting and teaching new Montessori teachers. Tom has been supporting the Castle Island Montessori Elementary Education teachers and students since 2021. He also works as a camp teacher at Catskill Montessori School, and a volunteer teacher at May Sands Montessori School in Key West and Paz Montessori in Oaxaca, Mexico.
ROSA CATALINA QUIZHPI
Itinerant Assistant Guide​
Extended Day Assistant
Rosa holds an Associate's Degree in Comprehensive Child Development and has also pursued studies in Commerce and Administration. During her academic journey, she gained valuable experience working with children ages 3 - 5 for six years at a preschool in Ecuador, and later with children ages 5 - 11 at another educational setting.
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Rosa is passionate about working with children: sharing her knowledge, learning from them, and nurturing strong values. She deeply appreciates the variety of educational methodologies and theories used in early childhood education. Her goal is to help create a warm, inclusive environment where children feel supported and empowered to grow, explore, and develop their full potential.
PAT LAFLEY
Early Childhood Mentor Guide
Substitute Guide
Born in Niskayuna, NY, the youngest of four children, Pat has lived lived in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Sleepy Hollow before settling in
White Plains, NY. Pat graduated from Lafayette College in PA with a BA in English, and completed graduate courses at the New School in NYC and UNH before attending the Northeast Montessori Institute, near Boston for her Early Childhood Montessori Teacher AMS Credential in 1991. Though NEMI was an AMS training program she had the benefit of working with Martha Monahan, an AMI trained Montessori teacher and a proponent of closely following the philosophy Maria Montessori laid out for future Montessori teachers.
Pat worked in publishing for five years at Rodale Press in Pennsylvania publishing magazines such asnPrevention, Organic Gardening, Bicycling, and New Shelter as well as books. Once her children were born Pat's interests changed becoming intrigued by Montessori and through her training she interned at The Cornerstone Montessori School in Stratham, NH, at the school her children were attending, before serving as the lead
teacher for five years at The Children’s House Montessori School.
In 1995, she founded ChildLight Montessori School in Maine in a house with an acre of land used for gardening, raising chickens, sledding, and learning a lot about nature. In 2001, ChildLight began a long, extensive fundraising campaign to build a new solar building for our school. The school community enjoyed new classrooms, that also provided space for parent activities, bone marrow drives, a plein air artist gathering, etc. She has collaborated with other schools and educational leaders serving with groups and on committees
evaluating projects done by children and guiding children to transition from Montessori to conventional school programs.
She retired from ChildLight Montessori School in 2018 when it closed after serving the community for more than tweny-five years.
GRACIE LINEHAM
Music Composition & Performance Guide
Creative Visual Arts Guide
Gracie holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry (Piano & Songwriting) from The College of Saint Rose. She has performed as a member of the Silver Arrow Band with both Piano and Vocals, with the Vocal Angels Gospel Choir, at various piano recitals and for small combo gigs including at the Rochester Jazz Festival.
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She has been teaching for 10 years, working with musicians of all levels from beginner through advanced students and of all ages. She is adept at tailoring lessons to each student's needs, understanding that everyone learns differently. She likes to teach musical concepts in ways that are easy to grasp for every child.
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Gracie guides children to be creative while practicing for refinement with visual arts skills and various medium. The children learn to access and maintain the art studio with confidence and independence and the elementary students develop an annual art portfolio to showcase in the school's gallery.
At Castle Island Gracie personalizes lessons, and guides the children to prepare for the Talent Show, the Bilingual Play Production and the Feria de Español!
KRISTOPH DiMARIA
Theater Arts Guide
Kristoph is a parent, partner, musician, clown, theatre maker, writer, activist, and educator. They are the Director of Development, Musical Director, and a founding member of Will Kempe's Players Cooperative. They are an Associate Artist with Troy Foundry Theatre. They are also a founding member of the Social Justice Artists Collective under the direction of Creative Action Unlimited. Their original adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (writer, musical director, Ruben van Taffeta) premiered last autumn in Troy, NY and now Anansi has its first staged performance here in Albany specially written for Castle Island Montessori School.
Their education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from SUNY Albany, an Associates Degree in Theatre and Music: Vocal Performance from Schenectady County Community College, and Ethnomusicology training at Skidmore College. They have also received training in Pochinko clowning from Donna Oblongata and released two full-length albums with The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. They have worked in collaboration with other artists educating at the Albany Free School, Robert C. Parker school, and most recently performed at Woodland Hill Montessori School.
Credits include The Climb (actor/deviser, Creative Action Unlimited), George in North Country Pastoral (Siena College), Touchstone in As You Like It, and Iago in Othello (Will Kempe’s Players). Directing credits include: Comedy of Errors (Will Kempe's Players), Destination: Nowhere! (Siena College) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Will Kempe’s Players). Performs as Ragliacci. They offer workshops, commissioned work, and other good trouble.
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SOPHIA DEVITO
Family Counselor
Sophia earned their Master of Social Work at the University at Albany's School of Social Welfare and is a NYS Licensed Master Social Worker. Sophia's master-level coursework focused on care of children and families and they have worked as a therapist in local agencies serving children and families such as Northern Rivers and St. Anne Institute. Before becoming a social worker, Sophia spent over a decade as a youth worker and educator supporting children of all ages in an array of settings including after school programs, summer camps, private family homes, a self-defense program, and The Albany Free School where they were an intern and teacher for three years.
Sophia believes that our relationship with the children we care for is the most crucial factor in guiding their growth toward becoming their very best selves. Sophia also knows that supporting these relationships means supporting caregivers in having the skills, tools, and resources to bring their best to their relationships with their children. Sophia is thrilled to be an additional resource and support for the amazing caregivers in the Castle Island community.
