Stefanie joined Riverbend in 2021 as a parent and served as a teacher with the Upper Elementary team in 2022-23. Stefanie studied Theatre Education at Emerson College and holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education and Creative Arts and Learning from Lesley University. She is an American Montessori Society (AMS) certified Upper Elementary teacher and holds Massachusetts teacher certifications in elementary education, and theater (K-12). Stefanie has been a teacher for 12 years, working in both public and private schools. Before her teaching career, she worked at Harvard College, where she helped launch the General Education program, and at Harvard Business School in Student Services. 

During her time in Cambridge teaching Upper Elementary in public Montessori, she concurrently worked with the district as a Youth Participatory Action Researcher for the city’s Building Equity Bridges project. Her work with high school students to advocate for changes in their education encouraged her to pursue her doctorate at Lesley University. With a deep belief in Montessori’s idea of Peace Education, her research has been following Montessori education and its impact and potential to help students identify their strengths, find their path, and advocate for themselves and others to make the world a better place. 

Stefanie, in her part-time role as the Middle School Community Work Leader, will guide students in real-world projects to help them understand and appreciate the true impact of their actions. From weekly service projects to developing a microeconomy, Stefanie will help students learn to be active participants in their community.