Jen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and a Master’s of Education with a focus in “Risk and Prevention” from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Before college, Jen graduated from the Harid Conservatory, a performing arts high school in Boca Raton, FL and went on to dance professionally with Boston Ballet II. 

The origin of Jen’s commitment to children is her own childhood experience as a Montessori student from ages 3-9. Jen has been fortunate to work with children in diverse settings and circumstances including art museums, ballet studios, mainstream preschools, non-profit organizations, charter high schools, private homes, and therapeutic daycare centers. Jen loves working directly with children; and due to her avid interest in how children form and maintain relationships, she also welcomes opportunities to support positive connections between children and the adults in their lives.  

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When Jen is not at school, she can usually be found with her husband and three kids who are proud to be students at Wellan. Jen enjoys impromptu dance-parties in the kitchen, and she cherishes the few quiet end-of-day moments that family life allows. Jen is grateful to find a home at Wellan where children and the arts are highly valued. 

Jutta was born in Berlin, Germany and trained in Montessori education at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, where she studied and worked as a Montessori Teacher for many years. In 2004, she moved to Brookline, MA with her husband and their two young daughters. She has been with our school since its inception and enjoys coming to school every day!

When Jutta is not in the classroom, she is adjusting to her new life with two college girls, enjoying more time with her husband, learning and improving in foreign languages (so far she is fluent in 3 1/2...) and reading. Her favorite books are historical novels and field guides on plants and animals. In her backpack you will always find a binocular and a magnifier!

On Saturdays, she has been teaching German to second graders at the German Saturday School Boston for many years - but of course, her students in Primary 1 are also quite fluent!

Sachié Karmacharya is excited to join Ms. Jutta in P1 this year! Previously Sachié was an Associate Primary Teacher at Cambridge Montessori School for the last four years; and prior to that, she was a substitute teacher at Walnut Park Montessori School. Sachié has a Bachelor's Degree from Cambridge College in Psychology with a focus on Children and Families. She is EEC certified and AMS certified through NEMTEC.

Sachié is the mother to two wonderful Wellan Elementary students. In her spare time Sachié enjoys yoga, running, reading, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Santosh, and their two sons, Ashwin and Syrus. Sachié is passionate about health and wellness and education. She is very happy to be a part of the Wellan Community!

Ana is originally from Spain, and also grew up in Belgium! She returned to Spain as a young adult to complete her LLB and Masters in tax law from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. When she first moved to the United States, she lived in NYC and eventually moved to Boston to get an LLM in American law from Boston University. Ana worked in international trade and business development until she discovered and fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. Ana began teaching Montessori primary in 2017 and received her certification from NEMTEC in 2018. Ana was drawn to Montessori because of how child-centered the approach is, and the flexibility and respect for the child. She enjoys the process of enabling children to find and follow their interests and move at the right pace.

Ana lives in East Boston with her husband and son, who attends Wellan. Ana enjoys exploring new places in New England with her family, especially towns by the ocean. Ana enjoys learning and speaking different languages.

Marianna recently moved from North Carolina to Massachusetts with her husband and two cats. She has a B.S in Biology from North Carolina State University, where she concentrated in ecology and evolution. Initially intending to be a researcher, Marianna found herself volunteering and interning at a science museum where she cared for the animals on exhibit. Alongside animal care, Marianna gave presentations to visitors and found a passion for teaching. This led to various education jobs at science museums in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina and eventually to a master’s degree program in science education at NC State.

While in graduate school, Marianna interned at an outdoor kindergarten that was run by Montessori-trained teachers. Once Marianna discovered Montessori, she was hooked and started working at a large Montessori school in Raleigh the next year. She spent a few years in a classroom, learning as much as she could about Montessori, education, and caring for preschool-age children. This became a passion and Marianna can’t imagine doing anything else.

Moving to Boston was always in the plans, as her husband is pursuing a PhD program at MIT. Marianna was so happy and thankful to join Wellan at the beginning of the Summer 2020 program, and hopes to pursue her Montessori training when the world is a little more normal.

Esther was born and raised in Korea, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Korean Literature and Communication at Korea University Seoul. Esther spent the following ten years pursuing her love of advertising and broadcasting business in Korea as an art director. After moving to the United States, Esther discovered Montessori education as she researched different teaching methods during her time as a stay-at-home mom. After attending an open house at Walnut Park Montessori, her plans changed from pursuing a career as an art director in an advertising company to that of a Montessori primary teacher. Inspired and motivated by Maria Montessori’s vision, Esther graduated as an AMS certified primary teacher.

After completing her AMS Early Childhood Credential from NEMTEC (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center) in 2005 and two years as an assistant, Esther soon found a home within our school in 2006. She brings with her over 20 years of experience within the Boston Korean School and Montessori education as well as her rapport with both children and parents. Her patience and positive spirit contribute to a peaceful classroom environment where curiosity and exploration prevail.

Esther lives in Brookline with her husband DK and daughter Maria. Esther is an avid reader and loves to spend time walking and cooking for her friends and family.

Jasmin grew up in Roslindale, MA and attended UMass Boston, where she received her BA in Art with a concentration in Printmaking and Drawing/ Painting. Prior to Wellan, Jasmin worked at the Boys and Girls Club community center for three years, and also spent two summers as a team leader for Camp Harbor View. Additionally, she worked with preschool students at the Tobin Beaudet School in Needham for two years in their after-school program, where she also led their art club. Jasmin brings her creative and enthusiastic spirit to Wellan, and she enjoys getting to know the students on a personal level. She values the family-oriented environment at Wellan and its emphasis on communication.

Outside of school, Jasmin loves to make art, spend time with family and friends, and travel. Jasmin's family hails from El Salvador, and she tries to visit every year! She also likes taking smaller trips around New England and searching for the best french fries and/or gyros in the area.

Fiona was born and raised in Ireland. She has been a full time nanny to several families in the Newton area. It was during this time, while one of the children she nannied for attended Wellan, that Fiona got to see first hand the positive, authentic and meaningful learning that a Montessori education provides. She completed her Montessori training at MI-NE in Beverly, MA. This is Fiona’s 4th year teaching in P4. Outside of school, Fiona enjoys running and Crossfit. She lives with her wife, Allie, her daughter, Claire, and their 3 dogs!

Sandra was born and raised in India. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Sandra received her Montessori training from the Northeast Montessori Institute. She brings with her over 17 years of experience as a Primary teacher at the Montessori School of Leesburg, Virginia. One of her lifelong passions is working with children and guiding them to discover, develop, and enhance their unique gifts.

Sandra has two wonderful daughters who are in college. She loves reading, traveling, going to museums, playing board games, walking and the beach! She is looking forward to exploring the Northeast with her husband. Sandra is excited to join the team at Wellan!

Wei Stanten was born and raised in China. After witnessing the wonder of Montessori educational method first hand from her daughters, she was inspired to pursue her Montessori Primary training through the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. She has been teaching Montessori in a variety of settings for the past ten years and feels fortunate to contribute to the vibrant Wellan Montessori School community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and absorbing new ideas. She also loves to explore the world with an inquisitive mind and ponder the miracles of nature.

Jess grew up on a small island in Maine before receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Southern Maine. After spending a few years teaching Elementary Special Education, she moved to Boston. Jess spent many years working in childcare before stumbling upon the Montessori philosophy. She completed her Montessori training through the Northeast Montessori Institute in 2018. Jessica is joining Wellan from Soule Early Childhood Center, where she worked as a lead classroom teacher, blending both Montessori and Reggio-Emilia philosophies. 

When Jess isn’t at Wellan, she can usually be found at her home-away-from-home, Fenway Park! She and her fiancé, Thom, enjoy traveling to watch baseball games at new ballparks and stadiums. She even finds ways to sneak baseball into the classroom from time to time! She loves to spend time crafting, usually crochet or cross-stitching. Jess is a retired roller derby athlete and still loves to go roller skating with her friends.

Ryan studied Civil Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and is currently completing Montessori Training with Northeast Montessori Institute. Besides teaching in our Primary 2 classroom, Ryan also coaches Wellan’s cross country team. He enjoys applying his math skills wherever possible, and going for runs with scenic views. 

Allison is excited to be joining the wonderful community at Wellan Montessori! Allison has been teaching Montessori for twelve years. The past eight years she spent teaching at Kingsley Montessori School in the Back Bay. Allison received her Montessori teaching credentials from New England Montessori Teacher Education Center. She holds her BA in Electronic Media from Towson University located in Maryland. 

Allison spends her free time with her wife and two daughters. On the weekends, they enjoy going to festivals, local farmers markets, and exploring new playgrounds. 

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Gabi received her undergraduate degree in Chinese from the University of Vermont. She started off as an ESL teacher, and interned at the Museum of Science, then later worked at the Florida Ruffin Ridley school in their DASEP program. Her introduction to Montessori education was at Aster Montessori in Cambridge, where she piloted their after care program. For the last three years she has turned a lifelong interest in computer science into an opportunity to teach technology and computer literacy with STEAM Ahead.

When she’s not teaching, Gabi loves fiber arts, woodworking projects, and digging in the garden.

Quianna graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textile and Fiber Design from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Working at Wellan has been her first experience with the Montessori method, and she has enjoyed learning about this style of teaching. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, reading, doing puzzles, and painting.