Lower School / Early Childhood Faculty & Staff

As the Early Childhood and Lower School Director at Elgin Academy, I am committed to providing a child-centered learning experience that is unique and individualized. I believe in fostering a nurturing environment where children can flourish and grow, not just academically but also, emotionally and socially. Together, we create a place where curiosity is celebrated, kindness is paramount, and learning becomes an adventure that lasts a lifetime.
-Michelle Matalone

At Elgin Academy, we dedicate our days to empower and uplift students, ensuring they have the resources, guidance, and care they need to thrive. Our goal is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student's potential is recognized and celebrated. Together, we navigate the journey of personal growth and academic success, fostering a resilient and confident generation ready to embrace the world.
-Helen Elayan

Being a part of the EA Community means being in a place where people genuinely care. We celebrate each other in our successes and support each other in our challenges. We come to this place not just because it is a job or it is our school, but because we truly believe in the experience that takes place on our campus.
-Jenn Brown

Teaching at Elgin Academy has been very rewarding. I get the opportunity to be my creative and innovative self while forming meaningful connections with my students.
- Amy Baldini

Learning needs to be fun and engaging whenever possible. Creating opportunities where students are guiding the learning is one of the ways I make learning fun. I’ll often ask a student to, “show us” and I will sit in their seat while they take the lead at the board.
- Courtney Boborci

When I teach my students to speak French or Spanish, I fancy myself doing a bit more than simply teaching them the skills to express themselves in those languages. I envision myself poking a hole in the language drapery, to enable them to peep at the conglomerate that makes it up: people, culture, land, history, and much more.
-Suzy Ceci

I believe that students should be taught about the importance of different perspectives. Seeing new points of view can be truly eye opening. I will strive to make the environment of my classroom mirror a community, with students being productive members.
-Linley Collins

Being here at Elgin Academy makes me feel like I am part of a community, which I haven't felt that way anywhere else in the past. Feeling welcomed has made me want to thrive and push myself as a teacher, create a safe environment for our kids and help them succeed in whatever they do. "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think"-Walt Disney
-Leah Culbertson

I am excited to be a part of the creative and caring community here at EA. In kindergarten I love learning every day along with my students.
-Lisa Gallery

My hope is that my students will understand the importance of life-long physical activity and fitness. I want my students to enjoy participating in physical activities in the hopes that they will be life-long participants.
- Heidi Hamilton

Each day I commit to challenging the children to grow and do so in a fashion that considers where each child is developmentally. By personalizing my interactions and facilitating opportunities for that growth to take place, I am delighted when they emerge into the young person that exemplifies their "true self".
-Amy Maly

Working with our youngest learners is a great joy and a chance to see the world through the passionate and creative eyes of a child. Each day at Elgin Academy, I strive to help our students reach their full potential, meeting where each child is developmentally to assist in creating memorable learning opportunities that will grow into a lifelong love of learning.
-Kiana McDarrah

I take a student centered approach to teaching visual art by combining the experiences, interests, and abilities of all of my students. My goal is to have students create art that is meaningful to them.
- Josh Mettille

It is my sincere pleasure to be the guardian of our beautiful Elgin Academy Library. I believe that good literature opens up so much to our students. Books can be mirrors to reflect upon ourselves, windows to see things from other points of view, or portals to worlds unknown. Matching each student with a good fit book is my goal every day. You will also find our students coding, creating, researching, and imagining in our beautiful space!
- Katie Schiyer

Music students should learn how to become independent musicians, and lifelong music lovers. My personal goal is to impart my knowledge and enthusiasm for music in the students I have been given the privilege to teach.
-Brian Wrightson