Dryden Montessori - formerly Integrative Montessori School of Dryden, NY

Director

Marianne Pyke has been a registered nurse for 20 years and a Doctor of Chinese medicine. She holds a master of science degree from the academy of Chinese culture and Health Science in Oakland Ca. and a Bachelor Of Science in Biology from Syracuse University. She has completed courses for her masters degree in early childhood education and has completed her training as an AMS Montessori teacher. She also minored in Art from SU and has been a artist & muralist for 25 years. She currently provides art instruction to other local Ithaca Montessori programs. She has been an Ithaca community educator in health and wellness for over 10 years.

With a focus on early childhood education and Montessori philosophy Marianne brings a wealth of knowledge about child health and development to the classroom and community. Marianne lives in Freeville with her husband and her three children.

Dryden Montessori School is licensed and regulated as a Group Family Day Care provider through New York State Office of Children & Family Services.

Assistant

Brandy Harvey has been with Dryden Montessori since 2006, She has an associates degree in early childhood education and an associates degree in criminal justice. Brandy received her Montessori Assistant training certification from North East Montessori School in 2007.

Brandy has great passion for working with children and enjoys watching them blossom. She has been interested in teaching since she was 18 and continues to learn and grow in the field. She chose Montessori because she took an interest in the philosophy. Through the years of teaching in the Montessori classroom, she has grown to embrace the philosophy of "respect for the child", and for the creation of a peaceful environment both inside the classroom and throughout the community.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Daniela Hess Scholl has joined Dryden Montessori School as the Assistant Program Coordinator. Her educational and experiential background is based and immersed in the field of Education, resulting in over 10 years of classroom teaching experience, NYS k-12 teaching certification, Montessori certification, 5 years of school directorship/consulting work, the Co-Director of The Children's Academy, and a presenter and educator mentor of a variety of Education Workshops.

Daniela's role at the Dryden Montessori School is to facilitate the Enrollment process for families, and to partner with the Director / Head teacher, Marianne, in continued curriculum development. Daniela and Marianne have been colleagues in Montessori Education for over 8 years, and have a cohesive and streamlined manner of partnership.