Our Faculty

Our certified classroom teachers and our Integrated Service Team of speech and language pathologists, school counselor, social worker and occupational therapists are compassionate, patient, and skilled problem solvers who employ innovative and effective teaching and learning strategies.

Ellie Ackley

Speech Language Pathologist

Alexandra Barone

Speech Language Pathologist

Emily Bates

Speech Language Pathologist

Ashley Bernardo

Teacher

Marisa Bloom

Teacher

Sarah Boyce

Teacher

Elise Brody

Director of Admissions

Erik Carnazza

Teacher

Meagan Deady

Teacher

Bill DeHaven

Head of School

Sabrina DiMauro

Teacher

Megan Duncan

Teacher

Patricia Fink

Director of Finance

Emily Fink

Social Worker

Sean Flanagan

Physical Education Teacher

Elizabeth Fontana

Art Teacher

Jennifer Friedman

Teacher

Joshua Genovese

Physical Education Teacher

Skye Gillespie

Drama Teacher, Marketing and Communications

Maryann Guglielmo

Education Director Assistant

Marilyn Guttman

Teacher

Jessica Hajj

Teacher

Mary Hennig-Rosenblum

Reading Specialist

Kimberly Kristof

Teacher

Heidi Lockwood

Executive Assistant

Linnette Lodato

Teacher

Ilana Matz

School Counselor

Peggy McNamara

Director of Technology

Meghan Moore

Occupational Therapist

Chiara Muratore

Teacher

Stephanie Myint

Music Teacher

Pam Nessel

Teacher

Patricia O’Byrne

Finance Assistant

Christine Oliver

School Counselor and Transition Coordinator

Emily Petre

Teacher

Alexandra Randano-Formisano

Teacher

Joanne Sabato

PPT and CSE Administrator

Max Sage-Robinson

Teacher

Evan Schlissel

Director of High School

Margery Scotti

Environmental Educator

Pauline Smith

Director of Education

Samantha Steele

Teacher

Pat Torchen

Receptionist

Christa Vontell

Teacher
  • Villa transformed our son's life. As a student with apraxia of speech, an auditory processing disorder and a significant learning disability, our son has blossomed. The school's structure, including small class sizes and tailored academic and support programs, combined with strong leadership, has profoundly influenced his academic, social, and emotional growth. Villa provides a secure haven for diverse learners like our son, fostering a true sense of community. Despite a long commute, he eagerly anticipates school each day, fully engaged in the Villa community. The school excels in involving parents, with student events and regular meetings with leadership. We can't emphasize enough the positive impact Villa Maria School has had on our son and on us as parents.
    happy villa parent
  • Villa has a solid value system and creates engaged and thoughtful citizens. We have seen time and time again that each person who works at Villa is fully invested and present to engage with students. Villa students are encouraged to be curious, think deeply, and make connections. They are such a pleasure to work with and their enthusiasm to learn is inspiring!
    local organization
  • The feeling of security [our son] has at Villa has helped to alleviate the anxiety he felt while mainstreamed and has opened him to learning. That feeling has also made it possible to make social connections. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for the intelligence, acceptance and patience of everyone at Villa. We feel real hope for our son’s future because of this exceptional school.
    happy villa parent
  • The staff at Villa Maria School always strive to meet the needs of the students. Members of the school always take charge of difficult situations and problem solve when needed. The knowledge of curriculum is extensive and their ability to address the unique needs of each individual student is exceptional. The staff exhibits a professional and hard work ethic which is outlined in their daily routines. The administration supports the staff daily in building teacher capacity and supporting them, which in turn supports students. The supportive, collaborative atmosphere at Villa promotes students' success and for many parents it is a welcomed relief. Villa continues to be a successful placement for some of our neediest students.
    public school director of special education
  • One of Villa Maria School’s most remarkable strengths is its deep commitment to communication and partnership with families. With small, nurturing class sizes and a supportive environment, students receive individualized attention while families build meaningful, lasting relationships with the school community. The Villa team is truly invested in every child’s success, creating a positive and effective learning environment. From the carefully selected faculty to the welcoming campus with updated spaces, every detail reflects a dedication to meeting the needs of all students. This commitment provides immeasurable value, not only to the families served but also to the districts that partner with Villa. In countless PPT meetings, parents consistently express their gratitude for the academic growth and social-emotional development their children achieve here. Villa is unwavering in its mission to support every learner, helping students of all profiles become confident, independent, and well-prepared for the future.
    public school psychologist
  • Villa changed our son’s life. The school structure (including its small class size and highly-tailored, highly integrated academic and service support programming) along with its strong leadership has had a profound effect on both our son’s academic as well as his social and emotional development. Our district fully supported the outplacement of our son to Villa. We haven’t looked back since. Villa offers a safe place for children, like ours, who learn differently. Our son has found his home, a sense of community. From an academic and therapeutic standpoint, the entire staff shines. Our son has full SLP and OT support throughout the school day. The integration of these services directly into the classroom (and the programming itself) have changed the game for our son. The ability for the school to course-correct throughout the year is profound. We can’t say enough for the positive impact Villa has had on our son and on us as parents.
    happy villa parent
  • My son joined Villa's extended school year program last summer and his transition was seamless. Within days, he felt welcomed, understood, and supported by teachers and staff. Unlike his overwhelming past experiences, the small class size, OG trained teachers, and like-minded classmates at Villa Maria have led to his remarkable progress. The IEP goals are focused, progress is well-documented, and collaborative communication ensures his ongoing success. Sending him to Villa Maria School brings me joy, knowing he's thriving in a supportive environment. Being part of Villa is life-changing, and I hope more students can experience its transformative impact.
    happy villa parent
  • Villa has been the best place for my child. He has made tremendous strides, especially socially and emotionally. He has become extremely self aware and made phenomenal progress. Academically, he couldn't be doing better. His ability to manage himself and thrive is incredible.
    happy villa parent
  • I send my son to Villa everyday knowing that he is happy, thriving, and being taught with fidelity. Being a part of Villa has been life changing.
    happy villa parent
  • The growth I’ve seen in my son has far exceeded my expectations. His teachers not only track his IEP goals with care but also integrate the S.E.L.L. (Social Emotional Language Learning) program into every day—building social awareness, resilience, communication skills, mindfulness, and coping strategies. This holistic approach has been transformative, and I believe all schools, not just those serving neurodivergent students, would benefit from a program like S.E.L.L.
    happy villa parent
  • I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate everything you have all done throughout this year. The progress our child has made in each course, the confidence and self esteem gained with the support and guidance of each of you as well as collectively as a team of teachers, has exceeded all my expectations!
    happy villa parent