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 School 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.

Ms. Belinda Lee

Ms. Bryana Peters

Ms. Tashanna Moore

Ms. Desiree Giunta