Merel skillfully combines her Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Education and her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling in the role of School Counselor at Riverbend. With thoughtful and insightful perspectives, Merel enthusiastically collaborates with our Montessori faculty to support our community’s social and emotional well-being.

Born and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Merel has fond memories of her own childhood Montessori School. She even attended a Montessori College, where she acquired her Montessori credentials for ages 3-12!

Merel worked as a Montessori teacher for decades before she completed her training as a counselor at Williams College, with a focus on intersectionality of marginalized identities.

Merel loves to travel, especially to visit her family back home. However, she equally enjoys frolicking with her chosen local family by exploring all that New England has to offer. In the summer, you can find her on the North Shore beaches, and during fall and spring months, hiking in the mountains. She spends much of winter catching up on reading by her fireplace. Most of all, Merel loves singing with her band, Grace and the Courtesies.