staff

Krystal Astwood is the Founder of the Reggio Emilia Montessori Center. Krystal is originally from Guyana in South America, and currently lives in Brooklyn where her work in schools began. She has a BA in Philosophy from Boston College, a Master of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Master of Science in Teaching Urban Students with Disabilities from LIU - Brooklyn.
Krystal holds an NY State teaching certificate and has worked in private, public and charter schools for over 10 years. Krystal has experience teaching K-8th Grade in NYC public schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and, most recently, has served as the Director of Special Education and Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction at a Pre-K - 5th grade public Montessori school for 4 years.

Stephanie Marquez is the Director of Operations. She is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a BA in Psychology from Brooklyn College and a MSEd in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. While completing her undergraduate degree Ms. Marquez began her career working as a teaching assistant, a head teacher, and an operations associate for a preschool program designed to facilitate child-caregiver separation. In 2016 Ms. Marquez was introduced to the Montessori "way of life," and fell in love with this method of education. She worked as a toddler teacher for over six years.

Ms. Marquez is looking forward to learning more about the incoming children and families, collaborating with her team, and being a support for the entire school community.

Stephanie Clarke is the Education Director at The Reggio Emilia Montessori Center. Stephanie grew up in Queens, NY and has a Jamaican heritage. She holds a NY State Teaching Certification in Early Childhood Education Grades Birth - 2nd Grade, and comes to us with 5 years of experience working with children ages 2-4 years old in various capacities. Stephanie has a deep interest in child development, and is fascinated by the young child's mind. She has spent time working with children in small groups, observing children, providing intervention through 1 on 1 ABA therapy, and lead teaching in preschool settings.  

Ms. Clarke is joining the team in September, 2022 and is looking forward to meeting you all and getting to know the children in our community.

Ms. Jessica D'Aquino

Ms. Saia Meyerhoff

Ms. Tashanna Moore

Ms. Bryana Peters

Ms. Eunkyoung Park