Our excellent teachers and faculty are dedicated to providing the best possible Montessori education for our students and ensuring that each child reaches his or her full potential in a nurturing and academically stimulating environment.
Faculty & Staff
Siobhan Bayle
Parent-Child Teacher
sbayle@mchvf.orgSiobhan Bayle is a licensed Family Therapist. She received her Masters in Counseling from Boston College. Siobhan is the mother of two MCHVF graduates, Ashton (2002) and Briston (2004). Siobhan worked on several MCHVF committees to build our school in Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Ayoub Benrahou
Facilities Manager
ayoub@mchvf.orgAyoub has been MCHVF’s Facilities Manager for more than five years. He is originally from Morocco and has a son who is a MCHVF graduate.
Mary Ellen Biehl
Head Teacher, Primary (3-6)
maryellen.biehl@mchvf.orgMary Ellen Biehl received her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education & her Montessori certification from Chestnut Hill College. Mary Ellen joined MCHVF in 2015 after having worked at the Montessori Academy at Christina & the Montessori Community School of Newtown.
Marie Bruner
Spanish Teacher
Señora Marie holds degrees in Information Science & Accounting from the University of Texas, San Antonio. Marie began a second career as a Spanish Teacher and joined MCHVF in 2010. Marie is the mother of two daughters, Alex and Issa.
Dr. Nicole Chaikin
School Psychologist
drnicole@mchvf.orgDr. Nicole Chaikin holds a Doctorate in Psychology from Widener University. Dr. Chaikin is also employed as a School Psychologist at Episcopal Academy and is in private practice in Berwyn. Dr. Chaikin is the mother of two MCHVF graduates, Anna (2009) and Michael (2012).
Lisa Chodaczek
Assistant Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Pre-K
Lisa Chodaczek received a B.Sc. in Business from Villanova University and received a certificate in Elementary Education from Immaculata University. Lisa also has recently completed her Montessori Certification and masters in Education at Chestnut Hill College. Lisa has been employed at MCHVF since 2012 and previously taught at St. Norbert’s. Lisa is the mother of two children.
Monica Church, RN, CRNP
Nurse Consultant
mchurch@mchvf.orgMonica Church is a Certified Registered Nurse practitioner with more than 25 years’ experience in children’s and family medicine. Monica is also the mother of two MCHVF graduates.
Eunice Chung
Head Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Pre-K
echung@mchvf.orgEunice Chung received a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University and worked in finance. She started a second career as a Montessori teacher and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori Certification from Chestnut Hill College. She is a proud parent of three Montessori children.
Brianna Cunnane
Assistant Teacher, Pre-Primary
Brianna has six years of child care experience in both a home and child care setting. Brianna has been working at MCHVF since 2019.
Grasiely Dippolito
Assistant Teacher, Pre-Primary
Grasiely has her Montessori Certification and four years teaching experience in a Montessori setting.
Deanna Downey
Assistant Teacher, Primary (3-6)
Deanna Downey received a B.Sc. in Elementary Education and her Masters in Education and Montessori Certification from Chestnut Hill College.
Mary Pat Elison
Assistant Head of School
marypat.elison@mchvf.orgMary Pat Elison received a B.Sc. in Landscape Architecture from Temple University. Mary Pat has been employed at MCHVF since 2011. She is the mother of two MCHVF graduates, Kendal (2010) and McKayla (2012).
Mary England
Finance Director
mary.england@mchvf.orgMary England, CPA, MBA received a B.Sc. in Accounting from La Salle University and an M.B.A. from Villanova University. Mary is the owner of ABCPA Accounting Services and has been employed by MCHVF since 2010. Mary is the mother of one daughter, Victoria and the step-mother of five.
Barbara Fox
Art Teacher and After School Teacher
bfoxart@aol.comBarbara Fox holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Barbara is a painter, designer and art restorer. She recently won a competition to design the Memorial to commemorate the lives lost in the building collapse at the corner of 22nd and Market Street in Philadelphia. Barbara has been employed at MCHVF since 1997. She is the mother of two MCHVF graduates, Joseph (1998) and Anthony (2000).
Ana DaCosta
Head of School
ana.dacosta@mchvf.orgAna DaCosta has degrees in International Studies and French from the University of Richmond and her Montessori Administrators Certificate from the Association Montessori Internationale. Ana spent more than ten years in administration and marketing communications before serving as President of the MCHVF Board of Directors for seven years. She is the mother of two MCHVF graduates.
Bita Javadianfard
Assistant Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Pre-K
Bita Javadianfard has a degree in German from the University of Azad, Tehran and Montessori Certification from the North American Progressive Montessori Teacher Training Institute. Bita has been employed at MCHVF since 1998 and is the mother of two MCHVF graduates, Tara (2008) and Kian (2012.)
Lesley Jordan
Assistant Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Kindergarten
Lesley Jordan has been working at MCHVF for four years and is the proud mom of five children.
Kim Kontes
Assistant Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Kindergarten
Kim Kontes received her Masters’ Degree in Education from Cabrini College and is certified to teach Elementary and Special Education.
Jessica LaMastra
Head Teacher, Primary (3-6) & Kindergarten
jessica.lamastra@mchvf.orgJessica LaMastra received her B.Sc. in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University and her Montessori Certification from the Seton Montessori Institute in Illinois. Jessica has more than 14 year’s experience as a Montessori teacher. Jessica is the mother of a current MCHVF student and a graduate.
Emily Lowe
Assistant Teacher
Emily has her B.A. in Psychology from Immaculata University. She loves to work with children of all ages and has been caring for children for over 10 years. She also works as a supervisor in LifeTime Fitness Kids Academy. Emily loves to incorporate sports into learning whenever she can. She played volleyball as well as ran cross-country and track throughout high school and college. She helped coach a 12U travel volleyball team.
Ann Marie McShea
Gym Teacher
Ann Marie McShea received a B.A. in Health and Physical Education from the University of Vermont. Ann Marie was previously employed as Physical Education Teacher at the Baldwin School. Ann Marie is the mother of five children.
Davida Pike-Benrahou
Educational Director and Head Teacher, 3-6 & Kindergarten
davida.pike@mchvf.orgDavida Pike-Benrahou received her B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education from Cabrini College and her Montessori Certification from Chestnut Hill College. Davida has been employed at MCHVF since 1997. She is the mother of Luke, MCHVF graduate, 2013.
Cassie Poley
Admissions Director
cassie.poley@mchvf.orgAdmissions Director Cassie brings nearly ten years’ experience in early childhood education, degrees from Gettysburg College in Organization/Management Studies and Educational Studies, and a Post-Baccalaureate PreK-4 Teacher Certification from Cabrini College.
Keely Sibilia
Music Teacher
Keely Sibilia holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance from The University Of The Arts in Philadelphia. Keely has been teaching music for 10+ years, specializing in voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, songwriting and early education group classes. Keely has also been an active performer and singer songwriter in both the Los Angeles and Philadelphia area since 2012, releasing various singles and a full length album. Some past achievements have included performing at Carnegie Hall, Preservation Hall, The Kimmel Center, The Sidney Opera House, House Of Blues LA and more. Keely also had the honor of winning “Songbird: Philadelphia’s Best Singer”, a vocal competition in 2017.
Leah Stover
Head Teacher, Pre-Primary
Leah@mchvf.orgLeah Stover received her Montessori Certification (3-6) from Chestnut Hill College and her Montessori Certification (Infant/Toddler) from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Leah has been employed at MCHVF since 2002. She is the step-mother of MCHVF student, Roslyn and her brother London.
Tina Urban
Assistant Teacher
Tina has more than 15 years of Montessori experience and is an Assistant Teacher in the Primary classrooms.
Blair Yohannan
Head Teacher, 3-6 & Pre-K
byohannan@mchvf.orgBlair Yohannan has her Montessori Certification and her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Chestnut Hill College. Blair spent seven years as a head teacher at a local Montessori school before joining our school in September 2018.
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