People
Karen Kapoor/Director
“Karen Kapoor is an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) trained and certified pre-school Montessori teacher. Since 1998, she has had the privilege to teach in Montessori schools around the world (Bombay, Montreal, Charlottesville, Richmond and New York.)
Before her Montessori training, she completed her undergraduate studies with a major in psychology from St Xavier’s College, (Bombay University) and a Diploma in French from the Alliance Francaise de Mumbai.
“I took everything I've learned over the years teaching in diverse Montessori environments around the world and put it all under this roof.”
She took a break from classrooms to raise her kids and she believes that those years were her most full-filling as a teaching & learning experience.
Karen has served on several volunteer boards in the community including: Friends of the Cold Spring Tots Park, Haldane PTA, Haldane School Foundation, Philipstown Scout Troop 437 and the Little Stony Point Citizens Association.
Karen was also the youth coordinator at the Philipstown Depot Theater and has assisted with many youth productions and summer camps.
Besides having a lifelong passion for teaching, music and theater, Karen is also an avid hiker and leads a local hiking group in the Hudson Valley.
Karen has called the village of Cold Spring home where she has lived with her husband and two teenagers since 2005.
“Feeding the class frog – opens an opportunity for Karen to talk to the children about emergent properties in living things. A study of Japan organically lends itself to the students learning how to count to ten in Japanese and an explanation of archipelagos. Circle time organically becomes music class.”
“Karen understands how children think, so no matter where they’re coming from emotionally, developmentally and academically, it feels like she can get into the child's head and really work with them to grow in all those areas. Her enthusiasm for children, learning and all things human, just make her one of the best educators I've ever met!”
— (Parent) Naomi Cook, Beacon,NY
Bethany Ciulla/Primary Montessori Teacher
Bethany Ciulla has taught as a Montessori teacher since 2014. She received her certification from NAMC (North American Montessori Center) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders.
Driven by her curiosity for learning (especially art, science and history) she is looking forward to sharing her passion for these subjects with her students through projects.
She loves hiking and spending time in nature. Bethany lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband, two children and her pug, Bean.
“I look forward to building a lifelong passion for art, science, history and nature in my students at the Foundry Montessori.”
Sophia Traina/ Toddler Montessori Teacher
Sophia received their Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in 2020 with a concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Sex and Health Education.
During their studies, Sophia paired personal research on the topic of diversity and equity in education with their fieldwork at the Early Childhood Center at Sarah Lawrence College.
Trained as a full spectrum birth doula, Sophia is a Montessori teacher trained for the Infant and Toddler level.
“Having grown up in Cold Spring, I am excited to grow alongside this local community’s emerging students.”
Mariel Scherer/ Primary Assistant Montessori Teacher
Mariel graduated from SUNY New Paltz with her Masters in Education. She is a certified teacher and taught Kindergarten in the Bronx for a year before her son was born and moved north. Mariel has her Introduction to Montessori certificate from AMI for ages 3-6.
A Cold Spring resident, you’ll probably see her around town with her son Jack, daughter Lainey and her husband Joe. She loves being with her family, cooking, hiking, traveling and exercising.
“I was always interested in the Montessori method as a parent, now in this role I have an opportunity to experience it as a teacher.”
Beth Town/ Toddler Montessori Teacher
Beth has worked in childcare for over 15 years, her experience spanning from newborn to preteen ages, working in diverse and varied environments from special needs households in San Francisco to solo managing after-school programs of up to 50 students in Philadelphia.
Completing her Infant and Toddler Montessori teaching certification in early 2024 from NAMC (North American Montessori Center), her years of passion for childhood development and the Montessori method are being put to good use.
Now settled in Beacon, New York with her husband and new baby, she is excited to teach and is beyond grateful to be a part of The Foundry Montessori community.
“I have been involved with various aspects of education all through my career and can’t wait to share my learnings with the children at the Foundry”
Erin McKeon/ Assistant Teacher
Erin grew up in the Hudson Valley and has worked with children in diverse roles such as art and theatre director for kids camps (AmeriCares in CT, Camp KeeTov in Berkeley, CA ) and as an enrichment coordinator and mindfulness teacher at The Manitou School.
The programs in our Montessori classrooms are built around purposeful activities.
With that in mind, Erin focusses on mindful movement (yoga) integrating games and activities that facilitate mind-body and social emotional development for children.
Erin is pursuing a degree in Human Services/Sociology at SUNY New Paltz and is also a licensed massage therapist but her proudest accomplishment is being Mama of Lucky and Sybil Bell who attend schools in Cold Spring.
Fun Fact: Erin was a caretaker in the mountains of Los Olivos, CA where she raised ostriches and wrangled rattlesnakes.
“I love to incorporate singing, improvisation, animals and nature into my time with the children at the school”
Brandy Burre/Assistant Teacher
Brandy Burre received a Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University’s Professional Actor Training Program. She began working in early childhood development leading classes at Gymboree Play and Music in Washington DC, then as the movement specialist at the Blue Igloo Playgroup in Georgetown.
Brandy completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training through Living Yoga Studios in Cold Spring. When not working professionally in film, television and theater, Brandy enjoys hiking, cooking and traveling with her children, Henry and Stella living in beautiful Beacon, NY.
“I consider it a great privilege to work, play and discover with young children. And to be part of this Montessori community.”
Cold Spring. NY
Our mission is to foster a love of learning in your little ones through creative lesson plans, and tools.
“A Montessori education has the power to catapult children into a lifetime of curiosity.”
— Karen Kapoor,The Foundry Montessori
Montessori: Questions, Myths & Misconceptions.
Answers to some frequently asked questions about the Montessori approach to education
