Torit Administrators and Faculty
The Torit staff are the key ingredient to the educational experience that makes our students’ time at Torit so enriching and successful. Torit administrators and teachers come from more than a half-dozen different countries, speak multiple languages, hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and bring a vast array of educational and life experiences to the classroom. Our lead teachers and teachers are certified/licensed, and all of our faculty and staff undergo regular background checks and fingerprinting, in accordance with state requirements.
AdministratorS
David Liebmann
Head of School
David Liebmann joined Torit in 2023 as head of school after previously serving as Assistant Head of a Montessori school in Back Bay.
“After 30 years as a teacher and administrator in five nationally-recognized PK-12 and PK-8 independent schools, I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to lead Torit forward,” he said.
David notes that Maria Montessori was one of Italy’s first female physicians. “Trained as a scientist but stymied by the gender biases of the early 1900s, Montessori became interested in education,” David said. “She used her training as an observer to develop child-centered theories that put human growth first, that prioritized curiosity and intrinsic motivation, and that used materials to allow children to discover the world around them.”
“I’m particularly interested as an educator in learning about self and other. Young children build the foundations for productive, meaningful lives from their earliest days. Torit engages all their senses and all their abilities in ways that are unique to our Boston location. As an infant through sixth grade school literally across the street from Mass General Hospital, I’m excited to explore ways to embrace science and the humanities, very much in the spirit of Dr. Montessori.”
David is an accessible leader and values the opportunity to know students and their families in a community like Torit. “I hope to make everyone at Torit feel known and needed,” he said.
A graduate of Middlebury College, Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, David also writes for magazines ranging from Independent School to Net Assets to Birding. He and his family live on the North Shore with their mini goldendoodle, Gnocchi.
Sherla Collymore-Phillips
Associate Head of School, Montessori Certified
Sherla has spent more than thirty years in education at the primary and secondary school levels. She has been a teacher and administrator at Torit since 2010. She is Montessori certified for preprimary and elementary, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in literature, linguistics, and sociology from the University of the West Indies.
Lana mchugh
Operations Manager, admissions assistant
Before coming to Torit, Lana worked at a private equity company in New York for 6 years while also nannying part time. After moving to Cambridge, Lana was looking for a change of work environment but also for something that would suit her strong administrative background. She discovered Torit and found it to be a great match. Lana is excited to be a part of the school, learn more about the Montessori method, and build relationships with the students, faculty and parents. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine.
Lisa Finneran
Chef
Lisa brings over ten years of experience as a professional chef and the knowledge of food’s power to bring people together. “It connects us with our culture, our community, our climate and most importantly, ourselves." Lisa holds a B.A. in communications from UMass Amherst. In a past life, she worked as a writer and producer for television and film. She’s published a book, Notes To The Fairy (Andrews McMeel), received an Emmy for the documentary On Thin Ice, is mildly obsessed with garlic, and currently working on a children’s cookbook focusing on food rescue.
Faculty
Adriana Maisano
Toddler lead Teacher, montessori certified
Adriana has been with Torit since 2021 in the infant and toddler rooms. She has taught children of all ages since 2015 and is Montessori and EEC certified.
Aisling Lavelle
Toddler Assistant Teacher
Aisling is an Assistant Toddler Teacher and is EEC certified. Aisling graduated with a B.S. in biology with a minor in neuroscience from Gettysburg College in 2022. She previously worked as a preschool camp counselor and a children’s soccer coach. She enjoys everything science related, exploring nature, and spending time with her dogs.
Alexia Cuellar
extended day Teacher
Alexia was born in Panama City, Panama. Before moving to Boston in 2007, Alexia grew up and lived in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. Upon relocating to Massachusetts, she began working with Boston Public Schools as a paraprofessional. Alexia started working at Torit in 2017 as a part of the extended day and summer programs. Her passions include art and travel.
Ali Colman infant/Toddler Lead Teacher, montessori certified
Ali completed her first year at Torit in the 2022-2023 school year. She has worked in the field of education since 2015, teaching in early childhood education—ages six months through five years—and as an ABA teacher working with children and young adults. She holds her M.Ed. in early childhood education from Worcester State University and her bachelor’s from Salem State University.
Alison Farrer
upper elementary lead Teacher (On leave 2024-2025 school year)
Alison joined Torit in 2021 and has been teaching elementary students in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since 2016. Alison holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Salem State University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus in instructing English Language Learners from Merrimack College.
Alyssa Pelkey
Extended day Teacher
Alyssa joined Torit in 2021 after moving to Boston from her lifelong home in Vermont. She graduated from Northern Vermont University in 2018 with a bachelor’s in elementary and early childhood education and has been working with children since her first job as a camp counselor. She most enjoys watching young children develop the same curiosity and love of learning that inspired her to become a teacher.
amanda hopson
Preprimary lead teacher, montessori certified
Amanda Hopson has worked with children for twenty years and has been teaching for a decade. Amanda grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, and holds a B.A. in English Literature from UVA. She moved to New York City and obtained her AMS Early Childhood certification in 2013 and then her master’s in Early Childhood Special Education and New York State Certification in 2015. Amanda taught in a bilingual French-English early childhood program at The École in Flatiron, and in the NYC Montessori school community at West Side Montessori School and at Metropolitan Montessori School teaching in the Primary classroom with a focus on kindergarten and literacy instruction. She joined Hopscotch Montessori School in 2019, taking on the role of Education Director full-time in 2020, and continuing in that role for three years. Amanda is very excited to return to the classroom as a co-lead teacher at Torit Montessori! Amanda loves travel, is fluent in French, and is a certified Music Together instructor. She and her fiancé, Nic, enjoy getting to know Boston!
Dan Scranton
Elementary Teacher, montessori certification pending
A teacher since 2015, Dan is our resident history teacher and a coordinator for the after-school program. Dan studied anthropology as an undergrad and later earned his master’s degree in education at Endicott College. Dan loves gardening, all Boston sports, and outdoor activities. He is affectionately called “Mr. Dan” by nearly all Torit students, with the exception of his twins, who call him Dada. He is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Early Childhood Director I.
Dounia Kabbaj
Arabic Teacher, Montessori certified
A native speaker of Arabic as well as French, Dounia is originally from Morocco and has been teaching at Torit since 2013. She earned her Montessori certification for ages three to six in 2015 and holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Suffolk University. She also earned a master's degree in education, focusing on early childhood with an emphasis in Montessori pedagogy, from Gordon College. She is a parent of a current Torit student as well as a past Torit student.
Chaymaa Chehboune
Toddler Assistant Teacher,
Arabic Teacher
Chaymaa joined Torit in 2019. She grew up and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Morocco and worked in the field of pediatric physical therapy for five years before becoming a teacher. She is fluent in both Arabic and French. She is EEC certified.
Elena wickersham
infant/Toddler assistant teacher
Elena came to Torit in 2022 and has enjoyed being a teacher in several toddler classrooms. She holds a B.A. in early childhood education from Elon University and a M.Ed. in reading education from Vanderbilt University. Elena loves spending time with young children and working alongside the wonderful staff and community of families at Torit. She is EEC certified.
Erica Klarman
Assistant Teacher
Erica joined Torit in 2023 as a toddler extended day teacher. She earned her B.A. in political science from Syracuse University and holds EEC certification. Erica has worked as a nanny for several years, and she has experience as a camp counselor. In her free time, Erica loves to read and spend time with her friends and family.
Judy Cavanaugh
Lead Lower Elementary Lead Teacher,
Pre K/Kindergarten Liaison, montessori certified
Judy is one of Torit’s longest-tenured teachers and administrators. She has been an educator in Boston for more than 30 years and at Torit since 2011, where she has taught preprimary, lower elementary, and was Early Childhood Director. She holds certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Childhood Teacher and Director II. She is Montessori certified for ages three through six. Judy holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Salem State College.
Kandice Long
Extended day Teacher
Kandice graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Georgia's Augusta University in 2019 and was an academic research assistant before pivoting to teaching and working with children. She has served in two schools previously working as a behavioral therapist. Kandice is EEC Director certified and enjoys researching various topics, creating café treats at home, and spending time exploring all that Massachusetts has to offer.
Karina Percico
preprimary lead Teacher, montessori certified
Karina joined Torit in 2023. She was born and raised in Brazil and has been working with the Montessori method since 2012. She holds a bachelor's degree in education and physical therapy as well as a graduate degree in early childhood Montessori education and child development. She is a Montessori-certified educator, both at the Infant-Toddler and Early Childhood levels. In her free time, Karina loves to spend time with her daughter, Bella, and her family, traveling and experiencing new cultures.
Katie Mcneill
preprimary Teacher, montessori certified
Katie joined Torit in 2024 after spending five years in Denmark, where she worked as an early childhood teacher. She has been teaching for more than twenty years, first as a language teacher in secondary and higher ed classrooms, before beginning her Montessori journey in 2014. Katie holds a bachelor’s in French and German from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s in German from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently working towards a master’s in early childhood education. She is Montessori certified for ages three through six and holds a Marte Meo credential as an early intervention therapist.
Lisa Khalil
Toddler lead Teacher, montessori certified
Lisa joined Torit Montessori in 2014, and she is a currently a Toddler Lead teacher. Lisa has worked the summer program since coming to Torit, and relishes sharing her love for the city with her class, helping integrate many students new to Torit in the warmer months. Lisa has a myriad of professional experiences and credentials, including a Montessori infant-toddler certification. She also treasures creating memories with her four young grandsons.
Maria Acosta
assistant Teacher
Maria, originally from El Salvador, moved to Boston in 2005. She has worked with Preprimary and Early Preschool children at Torit since 2018 and has extensive experience working with children aged 2.5 to 6 years old. She enjoys engaging in art and reading activities with her students, as well as taking them on trips to the museum. Maria is also passionate about sharing her culture and teaching Spanish.
Masiah leander-wess
INTERIM UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Originally from Chicago, IL, Masiah attended Northeastern University, where she studied political science and business administration. She has nine years of experience working with youth from ages 11 months - 17 years at summer camps, Montessori schools, nannying, and organizations like Girls in The Game and Strong Women Strong Girls. Masiah enjoys going to art museums and traveling.
Natalia Sesma-Boussios
Spanish Teacher, montessori certified
Natalia is a native Spanish speaker, born and raised in Mexico. She holds a bachelor’s degree in arts of education and is Montessori certified and language teaching certified. She joined Torit in 2013 as a Preprimary co-teacher and currently is focused on leading the Spanish program throughout the school. Culture and language are her passions, and she loves to see children learn new languages. She is a parent of a Torit student.
Olivia Worrell
Extended Day Teacher
Olivia Worrell was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, where she attended a Montessori school as a child. She is a graduate of Providence College with a degree in psychology and spent a year working at a school for children with severe autism as a teaching assistant and behavioral specialist. She lives in Boston and joined Torit in 2024.
Riah Schauder
interim preprimary assistant teacher, Extended Day Teacher
Riah is an enthusiastic educator who loves fostering the educational and social emotional growth of her students. She completed her undergraduate degree in liberal studies from San Francisco State University. She has experience working both inside and outside of the classroom, from teaching in elementary schools abroad to designing government course curriculum for numerous countries and territories. Riah joined Torit in 2023.
sahra tahlil Extended Day Assistant Teacher
Sahra has lived in Boston almost her whole life. As long as she could remember, working with children has been her dream. She grew up in a large family where watching children and teaching them came naturally. A mother of three herself, Sahra holds an associate degree from the Urban College of Boston.
Sandy Krauss
infant Lead Teacher
Sandy joined the Torit team in 2010. Sandy truly enjoys our youngest students and partnering with families. She loves to see her student’s growth within our school community. Sandy holds an early childhood education associate degree from Mass Bay Community College and is a licensed EEC Lead Teacher and Director II. Sandy spends her free time with her family including her own children ranging from ages 13-33 and her guinea pigs.
Sunny lin
mandarin Teacher
Originally from mainland China, Sunny taught Mandarin in her home country. She started teaching Mandarin language, literature, and culture in the US in 2012. Sunny has taught Mandarin to students as a second or third language, to heritage learners, and native speakers. The independent schools she has worked at include Governor’s Academy, Nobles and Greenough, International School of Boston, and BB&N. She holds two master’s degrees from the University of Maine. Besides teaching, Sunny enjoys cooking, as well as reading, especially Chinese classics.
Xia Ling
Toddler lead Teacher, montessori certified
Xia Ling is a skilled educator and native Mandarin speaker. She holds state licensing in infant, toddler, and preschool education, and a master's degree in Fine Arts. She has completed Montessori training after four years of teaching children aged 15 months to 5 years. Beyond education, she finds joy in movies, hiking, and cherishing the company of her two beloved cats.
Yiting Lee
Preprimary lead Teacher (On leave Until jan 2025), montessori certified
Yiting obtained her Montessori certification in 2021. She graduated from UMass, Amherst, with a master’s degree in early childhood education and is Montessori certified for children ages three to six. Yiting started teaching children ages one and a half to six years old in 2014. She joined Torit in 2017.
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Ajay Sonalkar
Athletics teacher
Ajay started his career working in finance and economics and holds a master’s degree from University of Texas. He pivoted to coaching soccer and tennis and now coaches top USTA national athletes as well as a soccer team at Cambridge Youth Soccer. Ajay brings tremendous energy to sports, encouraging effort, hard work, friendship, and kindness. Ajay has been running the soccer program at Torit since 2020, and his students have developed a joy for playing and strong bonds on the sports pitch.
hana chwe
music teacher
Hana Chwe is a pianist, vocalist, and cellist based in Boston. After moving from Los Angeles, where she taught private lessons and early childhood music classes, she started Berklee's master of music education program. In addition to her work at Torit, Hana currently teaches early childhood music with neurodivergent students.