Kelly Nastasi
Lead Elementary Guide
Kelly Nastasi is a creative, dedicated AMI trained Montessori teacher with over 21 years working in a Montessori Elementary environment. She is a highly energetic, motivated, and compassionate teacher who enjoys working with children ages 6-12, and has experience working with children with special needs. She has also taken Montessori elementary upper elementary students to the Montessori Model United Nations in NYC since 2006. Kelly has a passion for creating a better future for children and recently enjoyed working with underprivileged children in Philadelphia. Additionally, Kelly teaches yoga and has been doing so for over a decade. She has two daughters, Lillianna and Lydia, and lives with them and her husband in Spring City.
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Jamie Dobbins
Director
Jamie Dobbins is certified in Elementary Education and as a Reading Specialist and holds a Masters degree from Gwynedd-Mercy University. Jamie has over 15 years experience working with students of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds. Her career has taken her from teaching assistant, to classroom teacher, to reading specialist, to literacy coach supporting K-3 teachers, and most recently homeschool mom and tutor. Now Jamie is excited to be supporting this wonderful team in creating a dynamic place for children to learn and grow.
Jamie lives in Collegeville with her husband Mark, their two boys, Myles and Max, and their cat Bella.
Mark Dobbins
Founder
Mark Dobbins has been the driving force in launching Red Bridge Montessori House. Mark has had a passion for Montessori Education for many years. He studied it formally at Chestnut Hill College and spent years looking for the right Montessori school for his two children. That journey was disappointing, with the best schools being too expensive and many others barely practicing the Montessorri philosophy they claim to represent. Eventually Mark found like minded Montessorians and founded Red Bridge Montessori House together with them. Now Mark supports the school however he can. May this school be everything you've been looking for in a Montessori Children's House!
Gerá-Jolié Martinez
Elementary Assistant Teacher
Gerá-Jolié, Martinez has dived into the world of childcare and Montessori education around a year and a half ago and has explored both the primary and elementary setting. She has worked alongside our seasoned teachers to assist in curricular activities and create a harmonious, beautiful, and functional environment for all children. She is currently furthering her degree at Eastern University and is majoring in Early Years’ education in hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Through her experience at Red Bridge, she has strengthened her understanding of the Montessori method and is passionate in fostering the interests and meeting the educational needs of all children for their success.
Iris Cavanaugh
Primary Assistant Teacher
Iris Cavanaugh is the mother of two children, Sophia Maley who is 10 and Levi Maley who is 7. She currently has a BFA Degree from Savannah College of Art and Design, experience in Homeschooling, a lifelong relationship with Anthroposophic Education, and a background in Landscaping and Carpentry. For the past 20 years she has interwoven her ability to observe, reflect, discover solutions, create opportunities, nurture what has been successfully applied, while integrating her creative passion as an artist.
Megan Merlini
Assistant Director
Megan was born and raised in the Philadelphia area and has lived and worked in other regions including New York, Florida and New Jersey. Megan brings over twenty years experience in Early Childhood and Montessori education. For the last seven years Megan has worked in school administration as a director. During her time she worked alongside teachers to strengthen school programming and practices with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate approaches, positive child guidance and classroom management principles. Megan's certifications include National Administrator Credentials (NAC), North American Montessori Center certification and training from the American Montessori Society (AMS), and her degree is in Early Childhood Education. She also has experience and training in language immersion (Spanish and Mandarin). Megan enjoys spending time with her two adult children, their partners, and her grandson Louis.