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Leddy M. Naudain - Owner/Administrator
Joanne Pelly - Acting Administrator
Brinley Naudain - Office Assistant/Accounts Payable & Receivable
Leddy K. Naudain - Office Assistant/Yearbook
Stephanie Pelly - Office Assistant/Peace Educator
Mary Cichion - Curriculum Coordinator/Extended Day Teacher
Room 1 - Mrs. Rita Smith, Mrs. Marie Snyder and Mrs. Mary Jane Smith
Room 2 - Mrs. Debbi Harris and Mrs. Carol Harvey
Room 3 - Mrs. Yolanda Johnson and Ms. Colleen Gorman
Room 4 - Mrs. Amy Dibert and Mrs. Dania Rappenecker
Room 5 - Mrs. Thomasine Bron and Mrs. Paula Gilliam
Leddy M. Naudain-Administrator
Mrs. Naudain has been owner/administrator of Naudain Academy for 31 years. She received a B.A. from Villanova University and also a diploma from Association Montessori International in 1975. She gained Montessori experience by working at Montessori School House (1975), then Montessori Child Development Center (1976) and started her own school in 1977. She remains active in AMS (American Montessori Society), AMI (Association Montessori International) and NAMTA (North American Montessori Teachers' Association). Leddy and Dick, married for 31 years, are parents of Leddy K., Lauren and Brinley. Leddy is a regular contributor to both the Cancer and Mental Health Foundations, sponsors holiday gifts for the needy and sends clothing to the less fortunate in North Philadelphia and Africa. She previously volunteered as a cheerleading coach for 8 years. Now her time is spent reading, cooking, skiing, swimming, walking, golfing, weight lifting and hiking.
Joanne Pelly-Acting Administrator
Joanne has worked at Naudain Academy since 1986. She began as an assistant, handled the original After Hours program and ran the Summer Camp for many years. Past experience includes 15 years at Fisher Scientific, quality control for major department stores and working for a marketing firm. She attended Peirce Junior College and took a Montessori course from St. Nicholas in England. Joanne and her husband, Dan, have been married for 36 years. They are the parents of three grown children, all of whom work in the field of education. She served on the Mt. Laurel Board of Education for 13 years and completed two years as vice-president and four years as president. Other experiences have included Brownies and Cub Scouts leader, lifeguard, softball coach, Jaycees, Lenape Parents Assoc., Monmouth University parent liaison and member of the Municipal Alliance. Her hobbies are family, friends, gardening, the beach and crafts. Mrs. Pelly and her husband recently became the proud grandparents of twin granddaughters.
Thomasine Bron-AM/PM Teacher
Mrs. Bron has been with Naudain Academy for 23 years. She has worked as an assistant plus morning, afternoon, Extended Day and Summer Camp teacher. After witnessing the Montessori Method as an assistant, she attended Chestnut Hill College and received her Associate Preprimary teaching degree in 1993. She has taught the Full Day children for a number of years and will continue for this school year. Thomasine was born and raised in the South Jersey region. She continues to favor the area and has many family members and friends here. Her previous work experience included sales positions and serving as a nanny for local families. She and her husband, Bill, have one child, Stephen who now attends the school. Thomasine's hobbies include traveling, scrap booking and all other crafts, softball, bowling and spending special times with family and friends.
Mary Cichon - Extended Day (K) Teacher/Educational Coordinator
Mary is a native of Dublin, Ireland and has been on staff since September of 1985. She was trained there at Sion Hill Montessori College and graduated with a degree enabling her to teach 3 to 6 year olds and Special Ed. Previous teaching experience includes employment in Richmond, VA and Morristown, NJ. During her time at Naudain Academy, she has worked as an assistant, 3-6 teacher and Educational Coordinator. Mary and her husband, Ron, have been married since 1976 and live in Medford, NJ. They are the parents of three children, all Naudain graduates. Brian, 27, attended the University of Maryland for his doctorate and is not with the Peace Corps in Peru. Kate, age 26, graduated from the College of NJ and works at a local school. She also gives art lessons to children in the area. Peter, 21, is a student at Stockton College. In her spare time, Mrs. Cichon conducts historical storytelling for Pre K to 5th grade students at local schools and libraries. She enjoys travel, gardening, reading, cooking, sewing and the outdoors!
Amy Dibert - AM Teacher
Amy will begin her second year at Naudain as the AM teacher in room #4. She received her BS in Psychology from North Carolina State University in 2001 while also training in the Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Therapy. She worked one on one with children diagnosed with Autism for a few years and was introduced to the Montessori Classroom and method through inclusive therapy in the classroom of one of her clients. Amy became intrigued by the philosophy of Maria Montessori and decided to pursue her Montessori Certification. While working as a classroom assistant at a Montessori school, she completed her Primary Montessori Certification at Chestnut Hill College. She is looking forward to the experiences Naudain Academy has to offer and in turn, giving a great experience back to the children. She is a member of the American Montessori Society. Amy is married to Ben Dibert and they have a daughter, Ellie, who is three. Outside of caring for her home and family, Amy enjoys a great book to read, cooking, card-making, gardening and pretty much any activity that lends itself to being outside!
Paula Gilliam - AM/PM Assistant
Paula is beginning her first year at Naudain Academy as an assistant in room #5. She is married to Dave Gilliam. They have two children, Katie Gilliam who is 9 years old, and Madison Gilliam who is 1. Paula is an active member of her church, the Almonneson United Methodist Church. There she teaches Sunday School for ages pre-K to second grade. She is also president of the church’s Woman’s Group. In Paula’s spare time, she enjoys floral design. She is currently taking a class in floral design and through this class was able to secure a summer job as an assistant floral designer. She also participates in home and garden design. Paula’s extensive experience in dealing with both children and adults makes her a welcomed and valuable asset to the Naudain Academy staff.
Colleen Gorman-AM/PM/After Hours Assistant
Prior to completing the past 3 years at Naudain Academy, Colleen had years of experience working with children. Colleen’s pleasing personality and calm demeanor immediately endeared her to the students and staff of the school. She was the assistant teacher in the infant room of a local school and has also been employed as a nanny. For two years, she was the Cub Scout Den Leader for her son’s den. She was also the Ice Hockey Mom for his ice hockey team for eight years as well as being a member of his school’s PTA. She lives with her family in Marlton. She enjoys times spent with family and friends and continues to support her son in all of his many activities. When she’s not involved with work or other ventures, Colleen enjoys sewing, reading and following the NASCAR racing circuit with her son.
Debbi Harris-AM/PM Teacher
Debbi has been with Naudain Academy for 11 years. Before teaching her own class, she served as an Assistant Teacher in every classroom in the school as well as the Director of the After School Program. Before joining Naudain, her past occupations included working as a facilitator for the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention program, assistant/substitute teaching at several Montessori schools in the area and as an assistant teacher for ‘at risk’ students at the YALE School in Cherry Hill. She has an Associates Degree in Human Services and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in History and Social Sciences. Debbi completed her Montessori training at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 2005. Born in North Hollywood, she moved to New Orleans as a child and considers that her old home town. She has been a resident of Voorhees for the last 16 years and lives with her son and two pet rabbits.
Carol Harvey-AM/PM Assistant
Mrs. Harvey will begin her eighth year at the school. She has worked as a teaching assistant in many if our classrooms and programs. She also assisted in the office for three years. Carol graduated from Glassboro State College in 1977 and has a BA in Elementary Education. For nine years, she worked as a first grade teacher in a non-public school before getting married and starting a family. Carol and her husband Bob reside in Marlton with their three girls: Carolyn, 21 who attends Richard Stockton College; Nicole, 20 who attends LaSalle University and Brook, 13 who is a student at St. Joan of Arc in Marlton. In her spare time, Carol can be found carpooling children or attending one of the many sports or social events for her children. She enjoys fun times at her shore home with family and friends.
Yolanda Johnson-AM/PM Teacher
Yolanda will begin her seventh year as a Naudain Academy staff member and is the teacher of Room 3's students. She worked in the After School Program and completed her Montessori internship here. Her Montessori training was completed at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Yolanda has an Associate degree in Elementary Education and is now pursuing a Master's Degree in Special Education. Previously, she worked for three years at a private Christian school. She is a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, YMCA Swim Instructor and Lifeguard. Yolanda volunteers for both the Special Olympics and Literacy for America. Her hobbies include orienteering, swimming, cooking, reading, music and dance. Yolanda is fluent in the Italian language and she is a member of Filitalia South Jersey Chapter. Other memberships include The National Italian American Federation and the American Montessori Society. She was recently married to Rick Johnson.
Dana Rappenecker-Classroom Assistant
Dana will be an assistant in room 4 this year. She received a BS in Marine Science from The Richardson Stockton College of NJ in 1998; she also has an animal science background and is a certified Veterinary Technician. Dana has recently become a certified NJ/PA K-6 elementary teacher and is currently working on her Masters Degree from Drexel University. When she is not hitting the books she enjoys spending time with her four-year-old son Finn and husband at the beaches of Medford Lakes where she has resided for the past 7 years. Prior to working at Naudain, Dana has been a dance instructor, learning center caregiver, camp counselor and nanny for three sisters who graduated from Naudain.
Brinley Naudain-Office Assistant
Brinley has been working at the school for many years fulfilling many different roles. She was previously employed as a camp counselor, after hours assistant and a substitute. She then worked as Mrs. Bron’s assistant in Room 5 for two years. “Miss Brinley” attended the school as a child and graduated from the Extended Day (K) Program. After graduating she attended Kresson Elementary School, Voorhees Middle School, Eastern High School, and Camden Catholic High School. She is now working in the office as an assistant doing Accounts Payable and Receivable. She is the youngest daughter of Leddy M. Naudain, founder of the school, and Richard Naudain. Her hobbies include arts and crafts, going to the beach, reading, watching TV, going to the movies, and cleaning and organizing. She particularly likes spending time with her family and friends.
Leddy K. Naudain - Office Assistant
Leddy has worked at the school in many different capacities throughout the years. She began as a student, and soon after graduating, came back to help with the summer program. She continued working as a summer assistant for many years. During this time, she attended Kresson Grammar School, Voorhees Middle School, and Eastern High School. She graduated from Eastern in 1999 and went on to attend Johnson & Wales University where she received her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts and her Bachelors Degree in Marketing. She then attended the Princeton Center for Teacher Education where she earned her Montessori Teaching Certificate. Following this, she began teaching at Naudain Academy. Since that time, she has served as a 3-6 teacher, a Kindergarten teacher, and an office assistant. This year marks her seventh year at the school. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and being with family and friends.
Stephanie Pelly - Office Assistant
Stephanie has been involved working at Naudain Academy since 1986, helping with summer camp, then working as a teacher assistant and helping in the all day program after college. Stephanie has a B.S. in elementary education and special education. She completed student teaching but decided she wanted to Teach Peace. She was hired as a Peace Educator at The Peace Center and taught programs to elementary school students and teachers for several years. Programs have focused on Conflict Resolution, Character Education plus Social and Emotional Development. During the summers, Stephanie has been the Director of Peace Camp, held in Bucks County. She has also been asked to speak on various occasions to parents and mom’s groups. She is currently involved at Naudain Academy as an Office Assistant and the Director of Character Development, focusing on Peace Education! In her spare time, Stephanie is working on curriculum and product development and hoping to publish two books very soon!
Mary Jane Smith-After Hours Assistant
Mary Jane and her husband live in Marlton and are the parents of three children. The couple are the proud grandparents of one grandson. Prior to joining us at Naudain Academy, Mary Jane worked as a nanny for ten years. These experiences, coupled with raising her own three children, have prepared her for lending her expertise to our staff. As a volunteer, she was both a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Mary Jane also helped her children's PTA's at many of the local schools. She enjoys working in arts and crafts. Her extra time is spent on reading and sewing. Mary Jane enjoys volunteering, particularly as a fund-raiser for Breast Cancer and March of Dimes.
Rita Smith-AM/Extended Day Teacher
Mrs. Smith has been at Naudain Academy for 17 years. She received her Montessori certification from Chestnut Hill College in 1994. She began here as an assistant and advanced to the role of teacher. Rita piloted the original "All Day" program and continues to work with these students plus serves as one of our Extended Day (K) teachers. She and her husband, Dan, have been married for 35 years. They are the parents of three grown children, two sons and a daughter. The Smiths enjoy visiting and keeping in touch with their four grandchildren in Florida. Rita has spent numerous hours as a CCD teacher. She is extremely involved with the Boy Scouts of America and has volunteered in many other capacities including chair for Gloucester County First Aid. Her hobbies include gardening and sewing.
Marie Snyder-AM/PM Assistant
Mrs. Snyder has been with Naudain Academy for 9 years. She has worked with students as an assistant in the All Day Program during each of her years at the school. She and her husband David, retired from USANG, have been married for 31 years. They are the parents of four children- David, Paula, Kenny and Krystle. They reside in Westville Grove and are greatly involved with the local fire company. The Snyders have three grandchildren- Katie, Dylan and Madison. Some of Marie's volunteer work includes serving as a Cub Scout Day Camp Director, member of the Boy Scouts Training Team and also as a soccer coach. Her work with the Southern Council of Boy Scouts has earned her many awards including the highest award which a scouting volunteer can earn- The Silver Beaver. Her occasional free time is spent working on crafts, sewing, gardening and supporting her children and grandchildren in all ways.
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