Faculty | Middle School

Meet the Middle School teachers
Program & IB Coordinator

Michelle Jacob

Michelle Jacob joined Princeton Montessori School in 2008 and is a conference teacher. She also serves as the educational coordinator for the Middle School program, and as the IB Coordinator for the IB Middle Years Programme.

Middle school students are Michelle’s favorite age group to teach as they begin to figure out what the world is all about and their place in it. She loves bringing the excitement and application of science and math to early adolescence and uses her talents and experience to lead the middle school educational program.

Michelle is passionate about environmental issues and serves on her township’s Environmental Commission. She also serves on the Alumni Council of Elizabethtown College and is Vice President of the Mary Jacobs Library Foundation Board of Trustees. She and her husband have two children, and four dogs.

Michelle received a BA in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown College and an MA in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University. She holds a NJ Teaching Certificate, an American Montessori credential at the Elementary I and II levels from PCTE, and certification in Green Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

Classroom Assistant

Susan Ladd

Sue Ladd joined Princeton Montessori School in 2018 and is an assistant in the Middle School program. She worked for several years in the Upper Elementary Program.

Susan has alway felt it important to teach from the heart while allowing students to discover their own abilities to be a scholar and positive leader in their school community. She has over thirty years teaching experience.

In her free time Susan loves traveling, reading, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with her husband and three adult children.

Susan received a B.S. in Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey, where she also attended graduate level classes for Reading and Media Specialist. She holds a NJ teaching certificate.

Susan brings many years of teaching experience from the Franklin Township School district. During that time she was a classroom teacher, an In Class Resource cooperating teacher and Media Specialist. She has experience with Curriculum Writing, and developing strategies for differentiated learning.

Music Teacher

Alex Mitnick

Alex Mitnick joined Princeton Montessori School in 2000 and currently teaches music to students in 3rd year Primary through Middle School.

Alex loves sharing his passion for music and music making with children of all ages. His unique approach to music education combines singing, movement, percussion and songwriting in a stimulating and fun way that leaves students energized and inspired.

In addition to teaching music at Princeton Montessori School, Alex is an Emmy® Award winning children’s performer with six albums of original music and his very own TV show “Alex & The Kaleidoscope.”

Alex received a BA in Jazz Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, and has received multiple awards for excellence in children’s entertainment including the New York Emmy® Awards, The Parents’ Choice Foundation, The Film Advisory Board and the American Library Association.

He is an instructor for the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE).

Conference Teacher

Nuria Perez

Nuria Perez joined Princeton Montessori School in 2014 and currently teaches IB MYP Design, Individuals & Societies, and Spanish. She is a conference teacher in the Middle School.

Nuria greatly enjoys teaching language and culture. Her goal is to have students participate actively in class and she strives to develop a love of discovering other cultures through experiential activities, and real-life connections.

When not teaching, Nuria enjoys spending time with her son and husband, exercising outdoors, and traveling.

Nuria received a BS in Sociology from the University of Barcelona (UB), Spain, a Postgraduate Degree in Marketing from New York University (NYU) and studied Montessori Philosophy and Child Development through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ.

Exmissions Consultant

Dr. Amanda Rose

Dr. Amanda Rose joined Princeton Montessori School in 2019 and is an exmissions consultant for the Middle School.

Dr. Rose brings over 20 years of experience in working with students to prepare them for the SSAT and other standardized tests. She has also worked with Montessori Schools to ensure their students receive the very best preparation for the high school application process. Previously, Dr. Rose served as executive director of Stanford Coaching Inc. (now Inspirica), New York’s premier SAT and academic one-on-one tutoring company.

In her position at Princeton Montessori School, Dr. Rose will work to prepare students for the SSAT and possible independent high school interviews and support parents with the high school admissions process. She will provide a balance of instruction and guided practice to allow students to master fundamental test-taking techniques.

Dr. Rose is a graduate of Princeton High School, and holds a B.A. in English from Cornell University, an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Rutgers University.

Art Teacher

Lisa Stolzer

Lisa Stolzer joined Princeton Montessori School in 1992 and teaches art to Primary through Middle School students.

Lisa enjoys the energy and spirit the students bring to the art room, as well as their passion for creativity. An avid writer, Lisa strives to help the students to find their own creative outlet as they begin to discover the influence of art on culture. Her love of travel and world cultures is an asset in helping the students understand their own place in the world.

In her spare time, Lisa loves to cook, garden, kayak, make things, and go hiking with her husband.

Lisa has previous experience teaching at the Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School levels. She holds a BA/BS in Elementary Education and English from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and is currently working towards completing her Elementary credential at Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ.

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What Parents Are Saying

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“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!”

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“Our Primary student is learning remotely this year due to the pandemic. He is really is enjoying all the works that come home to him. He tells me things like 'I love my Montessori works' and 'my works are beautiful.' My husband and I see him growing and learning so much even amidst our virtual constraints. Having tailored materials for him to work with makes all the difference in the world and we're grateful for the thought and care you put into curating them.”

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“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!”

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“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.”

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“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.”

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“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.”

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“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!”

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“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!”

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“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.”

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“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”.”

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“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.”

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“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.”

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“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.”