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Marsha Stencel, Head of School, leads Princeton Montessori School and orchestrates the many parts into the whole we call A Symphony of Learning. Her first task is providing vision; and since her appointment in 1986, Ms. Stencel has overseen the unification of the school under one roof at the Cherry Valley Road location and the construction of the state-of-the-art facility; founded the Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE) on the school grounds; developed an Infant Center that is a national model for infant care and development; introduced sophisticated financial management tools and controls; instituted innovative development efforts; and adopted an enlightened, professional, career-minded approach to building an unsurpassed faculty and staff in order to ensure continuity of education.
In addition, she concerns herself with the selection of a qualified faculty and their ongoing professional growth, facilitation of program and curriculum development, and the enhancement of the school’s sense of community. Paramount among her efforts is the active inclusion of parents through educational events, volunteer opportunities, social activities, and simple dialog.
Ms. Stencel has taught at the primary, elementary, and college levels. She holds a B.S. degree from Vanderbilt University with an emphasis in Special Education. She earned a Master’s degree at Wright State University in Supervision and Curriculum and holds an American Montessori Society (AMS) credential. She serves on the board of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), and is a commissioner of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
The faculty she leads is superbly qualified, sensitive, committed, observant, and empathetic. All of our more than 50 teachers are certified “expert” in the age level they teach. More than half of our teachers and administrators have served the school for 10 years or longer. Each of our faculty members holds a B.A. or B.S. degree, and several hold advanced degrees. Our teachers are trained in Montessori principles and practices, and have completed a American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) credential. They are recognized for actively pursuing opportunities for ongoing professional development. Many are instructors in the PCTE, mentors to other Montessori teachers, educational lecturers, and national consultants for teachers in training.
Faculty members work in teams, so at any given time a student has the benefit of close relationships with more than one professional. Teachers working together collaborate on their approach to the learning needs of each individual student.
