Faculty & Staff

List of 13 items.

• Tracey Buckeridge, Montessori Guide, Children’s House B

  

  Tracey started at OCMS in 1975—when she was 3 years old. She stayed through 4th grade, and her mother was president of the Board of Trustees for many years.

   

  Tracey received a degree in elementary education from St. Michael’s College, and completed her Montessori training in Perugia, Italy. She returned to OCMS from 2008-2012, and recently joined us again in 2014. “OCMS is my second home and my extended family. I can’t think of a better way to spend my days.” 

   

  When not at school, you can find Tracey and her family on the slopes or sailing on the waters around Hingham Harbor.

• Jaqueline Debas, Montessori Guide, Children’s House A

  

  Working with children is in Jackie’s blood. Growing up in a home of educators, her passion for learning started at an early age.

   

  After graduating with a degree in education, Jackie finished her Montessori training and started managing her own classes. She has been a Montessori guide at OCMS since 1981, and is grateful for a career that allows her to grow. “I love helping students gain independence with their work,” says Jackie. “The three- or four-year cycle in the children's house allows the young child to progress at their own pace and rhythm.”

  
  Rhythm is something Jackie knows a lot about. She’s also teaches Music Together at the South Shore Conservatory, and you’ll often see her on the OCMS playground with her guitar and singing children.

• Margaret Fiander, Classroom Assistant, Children’s House D

  Margaret started as a classroom assistant at OCMS in 1995 after teaching home economics. She retired a few years ago and now she's back part-time as an assistant in Children's House D. 
  
  Margaret brings many years of Montessori experience to our school and a great love of teaching young children. We're so happy to have her back at OCMS.

• Heidi Gaul, Classroom Assistant, Children’s House A

  As Jackie’s new assistant in Children’s House A, Heidi brings lots of enthusiasm and experience from her work as an assistant at Hingham Nursery School. She especially loves working with children in the arts, and takes joy in helping them find their inner creativity and expression.

• Nicole Gudmand, Assistant to the Head of School

  

  One of the first people you’ll see when you walk through the doors of OCMS is Nicole. She greets everyone with a smile and keeps the school office running smoothly.

   

  “There is such a sense of love, kindness, and appreciation from everyone here, which makes OCMS a place that I love to go every day,” says Nicole.

   

  When not at school, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

• Susan Hebden, Classroom Assistant

  

  In her nine years as a classroom assistant, Susan has helped so many children, but she insists she’s learned just as much from them. “OCMS children have taught me the art of patience,” says Susan. “I watch them every day as they learn and grow to be more and more independent.”

   

  In her free time, Susan loves gardening, kayaking, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to spending each day with the children, listening to their stories, and sharing in their daily lives.

• Lauren Higgins, Classroom Assistant, Children’s House B

  

  After many years of volunteering in the classrooms at her own children's school, Lauren was thrilled to have the opportunity to join OCMS. “I really enjoy working with the kids and being able to witness their accomplishments,” says Lauren. “It is so rewarding to be a part of their early academic and social growth.”
  
  

  When not at school, she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband and three children.

• Sarah Hurley, Classroom Assistant, Children’s House C

  Sarah is new to our faculty, but not to the Montessori method. Her daughter is in her second year at OCMS.

  
  Sarah brings unique experience and perspective to the classroom as a musician and music teacher. She’s also taught social justice classes, “empowering youth to take action for causes they’re passionate about.” She believes in the unique individuality of each child and loves being part of helping to support that special light inside each one.

• Mabel Kennedy, Spanish Speaking Classroom Assistant

  

  Mabel has been teaching Spanish at OCMS for nine years. “I love teaching language and culture to children through songs, games, dance, and storytelling,” she explains. She incorporates John Asher’s Total Physical Response method into her lessons, which coordinates language with physical movement.

   

  In her free time, Mabel loves spending time with her family, reading, playing sports, and hiking.

• Sue Maloney, Classroom Assistant, Elementary

  Sue has been teaching for almost 20 years—and 14 of those years have been right here at OCMS as a classroom assistant. “I love every day at OCMS because of the talented and supportive staff,  the active involvement of our families, and the delightful kids we teach.”

   

  Sue earned her elementary teacher certification from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

• Denise McCabe, Montessori Guide, Children’s House C

  Denise became a Montessori guide very soon after seeing the magic of Montessori with her own child. She obtained her Montessori pedagogy from American Montessori Society (AMS) through Northeast Montessori Institute in Beverly, Massachusetts.

   

  “What I love most about OCMS is that the school is such a warm and happy place. I love coming to school each day,” says Denise.

   

  Prior to OCMS, Denise was a biologist, and has also published a cookbook, Yummy Yum for Everyone, that was one of the top fifteen allergy books for two years.

• Megg Rowan, Montessori Guide, Elementary

  

  Megg’s Montessori background began right here at OCMS, where she started as a student. “My passion for learning and education started here and it is the perfect place to nurture that passion.” Megg brings over 10 years of experience to her elementary classroom, where she says children are allowed to grow and learn at their own pace.

   

  She has a degree in elementary education from Elon University and a Master of Education in reading from the American International College. She earned her International Montessori teaching diploma in lower elementary from the North American Montessori Center.

   

  In her free time, Megg enjoys reading, traveling, dancing, and spending time with her family.

• Mikey Walker, Head of School

  

  Mikey has served as Head of Old Colony Montessori School since 1995. “My greatest joy is being present to witness the excitement of children having ‘aha’ moments of discovery,” she explains. “I believe that providing for these moments lies at the heart of quality education.”

   

  Mikey has a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, a Master of Education in early childhood special education, and Certification in Educational Leadership from Wheelock College in Boston.

   

  As founder and president of The Kerry Jon Walker Fund, Helping Humanity, Mikey spends part of each summer in Rwanda. She sponsors and supervises financially under-resourced Boston Public School teens to do service work at an orphanage and school for Africa’s most vulnerable youth.