Deborah Farmer Kris is a child development expert, parent educator, and the author of “Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive.” Her bylines include CNN, PBS KIDS, NPR’s Mindshift, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe Magazine, and Oprah Daily. Deborah is an expert advisor for the PBS KIDS programming and spent…
Dave is a dedicated Montessori educator who has been part of the Riverbend community as an Upper Elementary teacher since 2001. He brings a deep passion for the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes empathy, social justice, and the joy of lifelong learning. Dave holds a Montessori Credential for ages 6-12 and is a Montessori Model United…
Danielle Leary-Jakes has spent 13 years in the field of education, working with children birth to three and their families. After Danielle received her AMI, 0-3 Diploma from The Montessori Institute Denver, in Denver, Colorado, she went on to complete her Master’s in Early Childhood Development, with a specialization in working with children with developmental…
Audrey joined Riverbend in 2023 as a teacher in the pre-primary Mulberry Room at Children’s House. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University, where she is also pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a focus on decolonizing outdoor education. Audrey has extensive experience…
Audra Friend joined the Riverbend community in 2020 as a parent. Her son is currently enrolled in the Upper Elementary program. Audra is a digital communications and data specialist with the Unitarian Universalist Association. She lives in Holliston with her wife and son.
Anne grew up in Sea Cliff, NY before moving to Wayland at age 10. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Services Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. After working as a Paralegal and later as a Commercial Property Manager, she returned to U. Mass. Boston for a graduate degree in Elementary Education. She…
Anna joined Riverbend in 2017 as a substitute teacher and soon became an assistant teacher. As her understanding and appreciation of the Montessori education approach deepened, she invested her time and energy into her own education, earning her Montessori certification as an Infant/Toddler teacher. When not teaching, Anna enjoys spending time with her daughters and…
Dainelysse (Dana) is a senior at Framingham High School, and she speaks Spanish and English. She has always wanted to find a career where she gets to interact with young children. At Riverbend, that’s exactly what she does in the After School program. She loves coming into work as an after school teacher and interacting and…
Angela joined Riverbend in 2021 as an Assistant Teacher and is currently a Primary Lead Teacher in the Maple room in Children’s House. After earning her undergraduate degree in psychology from Trinity University, she started her career in education in 2016, teaching 5th grade in San Antonio, TX. While teaching 5th grade, Angela realized how…
Andy brings over 20 years of experience in financial leadership, investment management and operations in education, nonprofit and financial organizations where he helped drive strategic initiatives, financial sustainability and mission aligned impact. Most recently he was Chief Financial Officer at Kents Hill School, an independent boarding high school in Maine. There he led strategic financial…