Faculty | Elementary

Meet the Elementary teachers

(UE) Program Coordinator, Conference Teacher

Harlen Shangold

Harlen Shangold joined Princeton Montessori School in 2025 and is a conference teacher in the Upper Elementary program.

Harlen brings a passion for helping students see themselves as thinkers and creators in a multitude of collaborative environments. He strives to create spaces where all students feel safe to take risks and find their voices through authentic community-building. Harlen looks for ways to build partnerships and learning opportunities beyond the classroom. He enjoys integrating reflective practices and collaborative discussions that encourage students to see themselves as lifelong learners.

Outside of school, He enjoys spending time with family, and exploring new experiences and perspectives through reading, road trips, and nature walks. Harlen values opportunities to stay active through sports and fitness, to help stay grounded and balanced.

Harlen holds a BA in Psychology & Educational Studies from Colgate University and a Master of Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, Prevention Science & Practice (Childhood Adjustment Counseling).

(LE) Program Coordinator, Conference Teacher

Amy Krupa

Amy Krupa joined Princeton Montessori School in 2004 and is a conference teacher in the Lower Elementary program.

Amy loves working with children in a Montessori environment, especially at this age. She enjoys watching students take pride in their accomplishments as their innate love of learning develops.

When not teaching, Amy enjoys fitness coaching, boating, camping and being outdoors with her three sons. She is also passionate about her role as a Scouting Cub Master for the Boys Scouts of America organization. She volunteers as a leader that aims to promote character development, life skills, and citizenship training among the youth in the organization.

Amy received a BS in Business Administration from Rider University, NJ. She holds IB Middle Years Program certifications for Physical and health education: Implementing the MYP curriculum (Cat. 1), Physical and health education: Delivering the MYP curriculum (Cat. 2), and Global contexts for teaching and learning (Cat.3) and an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. Amy's IB MYP training levels and areas include Physical and Health Education (Category 1 & 2), and Global Contexts for Teaching and Learning training.

Conference Teacher (LE)

Robyn Elkholy

Robyn Elkholy joined Princeton Montessori School in 2023 and is a conference teacher in the Lower Elementary program.

Robyn is an experienced and dedicated educator with a passion for the Montessori method. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both education and Montessori, Robyn is committed to fostering a love of learning in every child she works with.

In her free time Robyn enjoys spending time with her two young sons, especially reading together, going to the library and playing at the park.

Robyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in General Humanities from Montclair State University, and has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. She holds an American Montessori Society credential in Lower Elementary through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. She was warded Teacher of the Year in 2014 by Senator Andrew Lanza.

Conference Teacher (UE)

Laura Kiff

Laura Kiff joined Princeton Montessori School in 2024 and is a conference teacher in the Upper Elementary program.

Laura has a passion for working with Upper Elementary students, who are always eager to ask questions and explore the world around them. She finds their curiosity and the joy they experience when discovering something new inspiring. Being a teacher also allows Laura to continue learning, both from the subjects she teaches and from the students themselves.

Outside of school, Laura enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children. They love exploring new places outdoors, baking cakes and cookies, and reading stories together.

Laura holds a BSc in Pharmacology from the University of Southampton (UK). She furthered her education by completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Winchester (UK) in 2014. Before moving to the US in 2023, she worked as a Classroom Teacher in Oxfordshire (UK).

Conference Teacher (UE)

Alice Lobo

Alice Lobo joined Princeton Montessori School in 2025 and is a conference teacher in the Upper Elementary program.

Alice has a journalistic background and brings her love of researching and writing to the classroom. As a reporter, she wrote for a newspaper and different magazines about many topics, but specialized in sustainable lifestyle. She is passionate about the environment and is eager to share this with her students.

Alice loves to travel and to learn about different languages, cultures, and countries. She often vacations in Brazil, where she has relatives. She loves spending time with her family, who are all martial artists who train in the same dojang. Alice is a First Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwon-Do as well as an athlete of Team USA.

Alice holds an BA in Journalism & Communication from Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), Brazil. She has an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I and Elementary II through West Side Montessori’s Teacher Education program.

Student Support Coordinator

Bridget Manley

Bridget Manley joined Princeton Montessori School in 2005 and is the Upper School Student Support Coordinator.

Bridget loves working with children and watching their academic and social awareness unfold. She brings her counseling experience to the SEL and Health Studies classes and enjoys empowering students to problem solve issues independently.

Bridget enjoys spending time with her immediate and extended family from the Midwest, keeping up with friends, exercising, and making her famous brownies for all.

Bridget holds an MS in School Counseling from Sage Graduate School, NY and a BA in Social Work from Siena College, NY. She holds an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I and Elementary II through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. Her previous experience includes counseling middle school and high school students.

Ecology Teacher, After School

Steve Pitts

Steve Pitts joined Princeton Montessori in 2025 and is our Ecology and Sustainability Teacher.

Steve enjoys the outdoors and has worked at Cherry Crove Farm in Lawrenceville for the past five years. His experience working with children dates back to counseling at a hiking and climbing summer camp in the 1970's. Since then, he has been a student advisor and work project leader at George School, a teacher at HiTOPS in Princeton, and a group facilitator at Good Grief in Princeton.

In his free time Steve likes bike riding, going for walks, and reading. He is also an avid acoustic guitarist and loves to paint and draw.

Steve holds a BA in Fine Art from Connecticut College.

Conference Teacher (LE)

Anna Suh

Anna Suh joined Princeton Montessori School in 2021 and is a conference teacher in the Lower Elementary program.

Anna has over fifteen years of experience working with preschool and elementary children in Montessori and other educational settings. Before joining Princeton Montessori School, Anna led the STEM programs at Evergreen Montessori, formerly Montessori Country Day School. She finds pleasure in collaborating with students on STEM experiments and projects, where she can help cultivate their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and dog Toby. She enjoys playing golf, listening to music, and watching K-Dramas.

Anna is certified as a K-6 teacher in NJ, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a teaching certificate in STEM Education, and an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I through Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE).

After School Teacher

Lekshmi Radhakrishnan

Lekshmi Radhakrishnan joined Princeton Montessori in 2022 and is a teacher in the After School program.

Lekshmi has experience as a teaching assistant in an Educational Network and most recently as a volunteer at a local public elementary school.

In her free time Lekshmi enjoys painting, baking, and doing DIY projects.

Lekshmi received her B.Tech in Civil Engineering from the College of Engineering, Trivandrum, India.

REQUEST A TOUR

ASK ABOUT ENROLLMENT

What Parents Are Saying

“

“The other day I came downstairs and my 4-year-old son was listening to 'Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart' on Alexa. He told me that Mozart's dad was named Leopold and his sister was Nannerl (it took him a second to remember her name and it sounded made up, so my husband and I googled it. Sure enough he was right). We asked what else he had been learning and he rattled off Antonio Lucio Vivaldi’s full name and referenced The Four Seasons. I think my jaw is still on the floor. It turns out that the Primary children have been learning about composers this fall and listening to their music. What incredible exposure for these young children!”

“

“Princeton Montessori is the very epitome of the principles of Maria Montessori. The School offers a nurturing, creative, academic, and well-rounded development for each child. As a parent, we cannot offer our daughter a more valuable first gift.”

“

“The faculty are, bar none, the absolute best. The teachers are very knowledge both about the Montessori philosophy and the best ways to work with children. I ask for their advice and insight for any issues we’re having at home, quite often. They’re also incredibly warm and nurturing with the children in a way I have not seen at any other school.”

“

“I’m struck by how much better the Montessori toddlers are at playing and working peacefully with their peers than toddlers in other nursery school programs. I credit the gifted PMonts teachers, and the Princeton Montessori educational approach, for how confident, happy, and collaborative toddlers in the PMonts program seem.”

“

“Our son is so proud of being a third-year Primary. He has attended this incredible school since he was one year old. He had absolutely wonderful Toddler teachers and flourished under their care. Now, he is a third-year Primary and we know he will be more than ready for Lower Elementary. Thank you to all the Teachers & Staff!”

“

“The school runs with one philosophy and so every faculty member and admin personnel share the same vision for the child. This consistency is unique in our area to Princeton Montessori. Combined with the integration of the teacher training program, we can proudly say that the spirit of Dr. Montessori’s principles permeates every aspect of our school. That’s what I value the most about our school!”

“

“Education is both a gift and a right. I feel the teachers at PMonts help our children to appreciate the value of their education. Understanding the value involves looking beyond school and appreciating how education is a tool that will allow them to explore challenging goals, to grow as individuals and most importantly, chase their dreams.”

“This is our first year at Princeton Montessori and my daughter is in the toddler program. It’s been nothing short of amazing. Teachers are phenomenal and my daughter has learned so much already!”

“

“I will never cease to be amazed at the capabilities of the young child. In the Montessori environment, the very youngest students show incredible independence and competence. At Princeton Montessori School the teachers truly help the children to “help me do it myself”.”

“

“When I think about my personal philosophy on education I can check all the boxes with regards to the education my daughter is receiving at Princeton Montessori. I feel the teachers motivate the students by focusing on appreciating the value of education and the diversities of peoples around the world while stressing and leveraging the power of the uniqueness in each individual student. Ultimately, the role of an educator is to shape a new generation that will create a safer and better world for the future.”

“

“Princeton Montessori School is a school that exceeds any expectations imaginable. The school follows each and every child on an individual basis and nourishes each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. It is a school where teachers appreciate all unique qualities each child brings.”

“Our daughter loves being at school. She confidently reported that she was happy with the safety measures in place, and that she felt “safe” at school. This was HUGE.”

“

“Princeton Montessori School turned out to be the best investment ever. We made some sacrifices in our lifestyle in order to be able to afford sending both children all the way through 8th grade, but now we are proud to note that we have two capable, confident, well-mannered young adults who are a pleasure to be around and who continue to love to work hard in their studies.”

“

“EXCEPTIONAL is the carefully chosen word to describe Princeton Montessori School. Our family has been part of the PMonts community from elementary through middle school. If I could give every child a gift that gift would be for them to experience the joy of learning every single day at PMonts. The multi-age classes provide the advantage of older students leading younger students and younger students watching the wonderful examples of the older children. The children recognize the strengths of others as being positive and not competitive. Princeton Montessori is much more than academic college prep - it is life prep!”

“

“Our child previously attended a reputable public elementary school. During that time, she often complained that she was bored at school. I was concerned that the school's 'one-size-fits-all' education model was gradually dimming her thirst for knowledge. I wanted the flames of her engagement and curiosity to be fanned, not extinguished. She is now back at Princeton Montessori and I am happy to report that she is no longer bored. In fact, her inner flame has never been stronger!”

“

“Our daughter has been in the infant center for only six months, but we believe it has been the most transformative and influential time of her life. The Infant Center teachers planted a little seed in our daughter’s heart, and it has grown and blossomed into a beautiful, resilient flower with their warm love and care. ...We have observed her world expanding astronomically, filled with beautiful memories of her teachers and friends. We have been thoroughly impressed and constantly reassured by the quality of education and care the teachers provide.”

“We have always been thrilled with our PMonts experience, and this fall term has sent us through the roof. We are in awe of the tireless work of the faculty and administration, who have made possible such an inspiring in-person program. I have always been broadly grateful for the PMonts education my children have been so lucky to receive; this summer and fall, I felt grateful each and every day.”

“As a parent (and faculty member), Molly and I are beyond grateful for PMonts. Our children are SO happy here. I am more of a believer than ever before. Miles was fine at his public school but the difference is really clear - here, he is not just fine - he is totally thriving and so happy! I'm amazed.”

“"Princeton Montessori School students are open to diverse backgrounds, curious to learn new things, strong in their leadership and presentation skills, and confident. Thank you for providing an educational environment that encourages a child's total development. We know it is an incredible gift." -Middle School Parent”

“”