Meet The Faculty

Administration

Marni Kaplan-Earle, M.Ed., AMS Primary Credential
Founder and Head of School

Ms. Marni has an undergraduate degree in studio art and art history and a minor in children’s literature. Her journey in education spans 35 years and includes administrative and instructional work with universities, Elderhostel, youth communities, and public and private schools. She earned an AMS Primary Credential from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center and a Master’s in Art Integration and Early Education at Lesley University. For Marni, The Taylor School spotlights two transformative sources of influence in early childhood education: art as a language and the Montessori method. Outside of school, you can find her paddling, reading, swimming, and walking in the woods with her dogs. She loves to see live music and theater and has never met a museum she didn’t like–especially weird ones.

Wieneke van Sonderen
School Administrator/Director

Originally from the Netherlands, Ms. Wieneke holds a BSc in Pedagogical Sciences and a BA in Early Childhood Education. As a Montessori school director, she has the privilege of witnessing children grow confident and discover their full potential. Montessori inspires her daily by fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning in children. When not at school, Wieneke loves spending time with her family – son, Simeon, and daughter, Louise. She and her husband share a passion for cooking and exploring new cuisines, and they love to travel as a family. Together, they have visited many countries across five continents, embracing new cultures and experiences along the way.

ACORN CLASSROOM, 1st Floor

Gira Tamboli
Team Leader, Montessori Co-Lead, Acorn Classroom

Ms. Gira brings many gifts to TTS, including 20 years of experience in Montessori education. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from North Gujarat University in India and completed her Early Childhood training course through the Department of Early Education and Children in May 2006. A lifelong learner, Gira has completed her Montessori credential to enrich herself as a lead teacher and learner. She loves working with young children and spending time with her family. In her free time, she indulges in her passion for traveling, cooking, hiking, and gardening. Gira enjoys incorporating creativity and order into everyday life.

Daniela Souza
Montessori Co-Lead, Acorn Classroom

Ms. Daniela brings over 15 years of experience in early childhood education to The Taylor School. Before joining our community, she taught at Nashoba Montessori and Lexington Montessori School. Daniela holds a Master of Education from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. She did her Montessori Early Childhood training at the Northeast Montessori Institute.

She is passionate about fostering the growth and development of young children, with a particular interest in early childhood development and special education. Daniela is committed to creating a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive.

Outside of school, Daniela enjoys traveling and discovering new cultures. She loves spending time with her two sons, whether they’re hiking, playing soccer, or enjoying a family movie night.

Catherine Fairbairn
Montessori Assistant Teacher and Extended Day Leader, Acorn Classroom

Ms. Cathy graduated from Wheelock College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Life for Hospitalized Children. She worked at Children’s Hospital in Boston for 5 years and then ran a Resource and Referral Agency for quality Child Care for 6 years. After starting a family, Cathy carefully selected Montessori education for her 2 children. She joined their school as an Assistant Teacher and then spent 14 years on the Administrative team. Cathy has been at TTS since 2020 and has dedicated her career to caring for the whole child and all children.

Jacob Kaplan-Earle
Montessori Assistant Teacher, Acorn Classroom

Mr. Jacob has been part of the TTS summer program and facilities staff since 2018. After graduating from ABRHS, he acquired significant psychology and human development coursework through Lesley University. He continues to pursue growth in education and psychology through reading and professional development courses, with a special interest in non-traditional learners. Jacob enjoys getting to know each of his students, meeting them where they are, and supporting his team in serving their needs. Outside the classroom, he is an avid reader, writer, and role-play and tabletop game aficionado. Jacob enjoys spending time with his wife, Grace, and their dog, Cooper, who thinks he is a very big dog. He is not.

PINECONE CLASSROOM, 2nd floor

Kye-Youn Jun
Team Leader, Montessori Co-Lead, Pinecone Classroom

Ms. Kye-Youn holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Studies and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from South Korea. Her journey into Montessori education began while raising her two daughters in the U.S., whose success in Montessori schools inspired her to pursue certification. She completed her Montessori training at the Northeast Montessori Institute in 2009. Before joining TTS, Kye-Youn spent 14 years working with children at Keystone Montessori School in North Chelmsford. Additionally, she taught Korean at the Korean School of New England in Newton for 7 years and offered piano lessons as part of the after-school program at Keystone Montessori School for 5 years. In her free time, Kye-Youn enjoys watching movies while cuddling her cat.

Annie Cooper
Associate Teacher, Montessori Co-Lead, Pinecone Classroom

Annie is a recent convert to the world of Montessori education. Graduating from Lesley University with a BA in Special Education and Psychology, Annie spent her first years post-graduation as a special educator in elementary classrooms. Looking for a change of pace, Annie found herself at The Taylor School and fell in love with the Montessori method. As a creative soul with a passion for nature, Annie felt at home within the Montessori environment. With formal Montessori training from the Northeast Montessori Institute and hands-on experience as an intern and assistant, Annie is excited to grow alongside our students and bring her love of art, animals, and nature into the classroom.

Karla Banegas-Sanabria
Montessori Assistant Teacher and Montessori Intern, Pinecone Classroom

Ms. Karla began working in education at The Taylor School in 2023. She is currently pursuing her Montessori Primary Credential through Northeast Montessori Institute. Karla’s experience and skills with young children began with a range of highly responsible childcare experiences. Before training to become a full-time assistant, she assisted in the summer program, extended-day program, and floating classroom assistant. Outside of work, Karla enjoys playing basketball and badminton, cooking, going on walks, and watching movies in any language!

Rebecca Bromark
Montessori Assistant Teacher and Extended Day Leader, Pinecone Classroom

Ms. Becca loves seeing wonder in children’s faces when they feel inspired and have revelations about how to help our tiny blue planet. She holds a B.A. from Colby College and has taught in preschools, farm and nature-based education programs, helped run an artisans cooperative, and publicized land conservation organizations, among other ventures. Becca loves experiential education and creating ways for nature and art to collide. When not at school, Becca embraces the joys and challenges of raising her teenagers, bringing groups of dogs on cabin adventure trips with her partner Don, hiking, swimming, sauna-ing, and making her little home extra cozy.

MONTESSORI TODDLER COMMUNITY, THE ANNEX

Amy Sweeney-Massouh
Team Lead, Montessori Co-Lead, The Annex

Bio and photo coming soon.

Kaylin Rivera
Montessori Assistant Teacher and Extended Day Leader, The Annex

Ms. Kaylin has a background in Montessori education and experience as an upcoming lead toddler guide. She is working toward her Montessori certification and is passionate about the philosophy’s global advantages for children, families, and communities. She feels privileged to observe and support children as they build confidence through independence and discovery. Outside of school, Kaylin enjoys pilates, spending time in nature, and hanging out with her two cats.

Anju Ramakrishnan
Montessori Consultant and TTS Professor Emeritus

Ms. Anju has a degree in Commerce and an MBA in Human Resources. Her life-long journey in education began at a young age, volunteering at the All India Women’s Organization’s preschool and Nirmala Orphanage in India, following her interest in nurturing young minds and spirits. After moving to the United States, she discovered the Montessori philosophy and started her career as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school. Anju earned her primary credential through the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center and was a lead Montessori teacher for over 15 years. She has been an integral part of The Taylor School since its founding in 2015, enjoying a rewarding journey as an educator and administrator. Beyond her passion for teaching and learning, you can find her cooking, traveling, hiking, and spending time with loved ones. She loves watching Bollywood movies and cricket matches and considers cooking good food for friends and family her love language.