Karen Cusanelli
Director of School
Karen Cusanelli joined the staff of GBMS in 2005. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Montessori Education from Loyola University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has Montessori Teaching Diplomas for both the Birth-3yr. and 3-6yr. levels. All three of her children graduated from GBMS. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and volunteering on behalf of an orphanage in Kenya.
Dana Kane
Admissions, Parent Communications and Marketing
Dana graduated from College of the Holy Cross and worked in Marketing and Event Planning until she had her first child in 2010. She has been working at GBMS since 2015. Dana is a parent of two GBMS alum and was a Montessori child herself! In her free time, Dana enjoys photography, cooking and spending time with her family.
Annie Isler
Toddler Community Assistant Teacher/Lead Teacher Afternoon Apples
Annie is a Graduate of Marymount College/Fordham University with a BS in International Business. She worked in Corporate America for 9 years (mostly in Manhattan) before she left to start a family. She is a former GBMS Parent and has worked at the school since 2004. In her free time, she loves crafting, reading, and sightseeing.
Lori Quell
Primary Lead Teacher, Plum Class, Primary Curriculum Coordinator
Lori is a graduate of Syracuse University and also holds a degree from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles. She earned her Montessori credential from The Center for Montessori Teacher Education, New York (CMTE/NY). Lori has been a primary teacher at Great Beginnings since 2005. She also works as a children’s yoga teacher. Lori enjoys her work as a teacher trainer with CMTE/NY where she helps train future Montessori teachers. She lives with her husband and three dogs and enjoys time spent with her three grown children.
Jim Idiart
Primary Assistant Teacher, Plum Class
Jim graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Communications and Media Studies, and worked in television production at NBC Universal prior to becoming a stay-at-home dad. He was an active parent while his daughters were students at GBMS and later joined the staff as a recess monitor and substitute teacher. This year he is excited to be taking on the role of assistant teacher in the Plum Class. Jim enjoys photography and is a passionate Mets fan.
Wayni Polanco
Primary Assistant Teacher, Plum Class
Wayni has been with Great Beginnings since 2009. She had worked as a preschool teacher and nanny prior to joining the Primary Program at GBMS. Wayni received her Early Childhood Development Associate Certification at HCC. She believes children’s education is vital in life, and loves to watch children grow and explore in the classroom. In her free time, she likes to read and spend time with family.
Belen Soubrie
Primary Lead Teacher, Mango Class
Belen started at GBMS in 2024. She was born and raised in Argentina. Belen holds an associate degree in elementary education and has worked as an English teacher for ages K-12 in Argentina over the last 12 years. She has received her AMS primary education credential from Westside Montessori School in NYC. In her free time, Belen enjoys reading, baking and spending time with friends.
Jackie Sliva
Primary Assistant Teacher, Mango Class
Jackie was born and raised in Connecticut and is the oldest of five children. She grew up working with children as a babysitter, camp counselor and CCD teacher. She attended Central Connecticut State University pursuing a degree in graphic design and then received the opportunity to nanny in Paris, France and chose to be a career nanny ever since! She continued her education by taking early childhood education classes at Housatonic community college.
Jackie started at GBMS as a playground monitor while a child she was nannying attended GBMS in 2016 and then completed her Montessori teacher assistant training in 2019. In her spare time she loves reading, cooking, practicing yoga and spending time with her family
Kate McTague
Primary Lead Teacher, Blueberry Class
Kate has over 13 years of experience in the Montessori classroom. A graduate of College of the Holy Cross, she studied political science and began her teaching career as a 6th grade teacher at an inner-city school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In addition to her work at Great Beginnings Montessori School, she serves as an academic coach to high school and college students through GFA Horizon’s in Bridgeport. Kate continues to love learning about all things Montessori and the best way to help children thrive in a sometimes chaotic world.
Josefina Salas
Primary Assistant Teacher, Blueberry Class
Josefina was born and raised in Argentina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology and is completing her Montessori training. She is dedicated to nurturing each child’s curiosity, independence, and love of learning, approaching every moment with patience and care. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring nature, and listening to music.
Cynthia Venditti
Teacher Aide
Cynthia Venditti has been with GBMS since 2006. She serves as our hallway and playground monitor. She also creates beautiful Montessori materials for all of our staff. When she is not working with children, Cynthia enjoys crafting and spending time with her family.
Carolina Acosta
Spanish Teacher/Toddler Assistant
Carolina Acosta started at GBMS in 2024 . She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kaplan University and is AMS Montessori trained for children Birth-3. Carolina comes to GBMS from Riverside Montessori School in Manhattan where she taught for 16 years. Carolina is fluent in Spanish and has two boys who keep her very busy in her free time.