While raising two boys she attended Teachers College two times to obtaining MA degrees in Developmental Psychology and Special Education. She has a dual certification NYS teacher in early childhood and special education. She is also a certified yoga teacher. Jorinda began working with children in daycare centers when she was 18. After college, Jorinda began working as a Special Education teacher in Brooklyn. Her work experience with children includes working with children with special needs in therapeutic nurseries and conducting educational evaluations. She was a literacy specialist with K-5 kids in the Department of Education for two years before coming here. Jorinda has also been involved in community organizing roles. In those positions, she reached out to marginalized groups of women and their children and managed large grants from the federal government. Jorinda has been part of the MMS community since 1997. Initially, she was a a parent and board member. After a few years, she returned as a parent for the second time and also began teaching here. She was a teacher at MMS for seven years. During the last two of those years, she was also the Program Director. In the spring of 2010, she became the Executive Director. Jorinda has two boys, Jarobi and Mekhi, both of whom are Morningside alumni. She enjoys yoga, dancing and horseback riding. Jorinda speaks Spanish and is re-learning Italian.
Our Faculty
The Morningside office buzzes with activity, acting as the hub for our school. In the Director’s Office, you’ll find a sympathetic ear and a wealth of experience.
Alexandra (known to most of us as Alex) has been a part of the Morningside community since 2004. She was an Art Educator at the Guggenheim Museum for five years before coming to us as the Head Teacher in the North class for 3 years, and then as the Head Teacher in the South Class for 3 years. Alex is now Morningside’s Associate Director. She is also the Director of Admissions, manages marketing, web site design, and provides staff development. Alex works with the Executive Director to design and implement Morningside's Parent Education program.
Alex has two sons; both Morningside graduates.
Krystle was born in Brooklyn, NY. She has a fiancé, Melvin. She recently moved to Springfield Gardens.
Debbie has been an invaluable presence at Morningside for over 20 years. Debbie began as a substitute teacher, moved in to an assistant teacher role, before becoming the Assistant to the Director. Debbie is now leading all special events at Morningside. Debbie's two children are both former Morningside Students.
At first, Wendy worked with two-three year old children. She later went on to teach fours and fives. Wendy has previously enjoyed working at Epiphany Community Nursery School as well as Temple Shaaray Tefila Nursery School on the Upper East Side. Her past experiences also include teaching and directing Parenting programs at the 92nd Street Y. Her Latest projects involved creating an afterschool book club program for children ages three-five. Her belief that exposure to books and being read to at an early age is the first step towards a love of learning.
Wendy lives in Oradell, N. J. with her husband Mark. She has two grown children, Helene and Faye as well as two small grandchildren, Lila and Avi.
Al was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to New York in 1994. She has been working with young children since 1991. She and her husband Neil have two sons, Liam and Jack.
Al works her Montessori magic in the West Class and has also worked in our PM Class as well. She brings a wealth of experience and kindness and a bright sense of humor to all her classes.
Sheree has been with Morningside since 2001. She has been working with preschool-age children since 1995 and brings her warmth and quiet wisdom to our West classroom. She particularly enjoys bringing hands-on science and cooking components to her classes – all with a touch of humor. She was born in New York and has three children, Malachai, Anaiah and Anisa.
Sheree also teaches in our PM Class in the West Classroom and has been a head counselor in the Peewee program (ages 2-3) of Camp Morningside (or summer camp) since arriving in 2001.
Jasmine has been with Morningside since 1996. She brings a quiet strength and caring demeanor to our West Classroom. She was born in NYC. She and her husband Elton have one son, Kasten (a Morningside alumnus). Jasmine has shown a valuable ability to help out wherever there is a need.
Caitlin taught both Kindergarten and Preschool before coming to Morningside Montessori. This is her first year teaching in the South and Explorers class as Head Teacher, and her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching is clear in all of her interactions. Caitlin is originally from Long Island, but now resides on the Upper East Side
Alex has been part of our community for many years, as both a parent and a teacher. In 1997 Alex became a permanent assistant teacher and in 2000 she became our Camp Coordinator. In 2004, Alex left Morningside to work at Episcopal Social Services as an Infant/Toddler Specialist. In 2006, Alex returned to Morningside where she is now a Montessori teacher. Alex obtained her AMS Montessori certification through West Side Montessori. Alex loves working with children, and brings a wonderfully fun and charismatic presence to our school.
Alex has worked with the Toddler and North class age group for two years in our summer program and three years in the PM class.
Alex is married to Eli. They have a daughter Dana and a son Eli, who are both graduates of Morningside.
Sabina has been with Morningside since 1982 and has continued to amaze her students (as well as her fellow teachers) with her boundless enthusiasm, energy and creativity. Her work ethic and dedication make her a favorite of her students and brings the South Classroom to life.
She was born in Zagreb, Croatia and received a teaching diploma in 1970 from the Academy of Pedagogy at the Zagreb Teacher’s College for Preschool Education in Zagreb (the former Yugoslavia). She has been working with young children since her teens and has been a teacher since 1970. She moved to New York City in 1978. She and her husband, John, have a daughter, Sandra.
She is legendary for bringing every holiday celebration throughout the school year alive.
Karyl began teaching at Morningside in 1986. She brings a tremendous amount of experience as well as a love of dance which she enjoys sharing with the children.
A native of New Bedford, MA she attended The Boston Conservatory of Music before coming to NYC in 1973 and has two grown children who both went to Morningside. Until 2006 she also worked at Pointes West teaching creative movement and pre ballet. After leaving she decided to pursue her Montessori studies and received her diploma from The North American Montessori Center in June 2008.
She has previously worked in the South and Explorers classroom and the Office.
Ashley began working at Morningside in 2008 as a summer employee. Since then, Ashley has been a regular substitute teacher in all of our classrooms. Ashley graduated from Beacon High School in 2008 and is now pursuing her Bachelors Degree at Lehman College.
Jen’s two children are both Morningside Alumni, and she served on our board for 2 years. Jen has been a wonderful part of the Morningside Community, and we are so pleased that she is now joining us on staff.
Delia arrived at Morningside in 1988 and has established herself as a creative and sensible teacher in the Toddler/North Classes. Delia was born in NYC. She has a husband, Richie, and four children.
She brings in many wonderful art project ideas as well as language activities which keeps the room dynamic. Delia’s experience is an invaluable benefit to her fellow teachers and to the children.
She worked at NEST+M, a gifted-and-talented public school on the Lower East Side for five years, teaching fourth and second grades. Before that, she worked as an assistant teacher for three years at the Ethical Culture School. Mary Jane is a career changer who previously spent fourteen years working for a range of international non-profit and philanthropic organizations.
Mary Jane lives on the Upper West Side and enjoys cooking and traveling with her husband Bill and daughter Carmen. She is thrilled to be joining the after school program, after spending a year working as a substitute teacher, gaining an appreciation and admiration for all the hard work that goes on at MMS.
