Our Leadership Team

Dr. Leah Lurye

Child Development Consultant

Dr. Leah Lurye is a clinical psychologist who specializes in early childhood mental health and family psychotherapy. Dr. Lurye joined Twin Parks Montessori Schools in 2023 as a child development consultant. Dr. Lurye's goal in this role is to support and bolster an emotionally responsive classroom. In this capacity, Dr. Lurye will provide classroom observation, meet with parents to provide developmental guidance, facilitate teacher/parent meetings, complete screening measures with children, and provide therapeutic interventions and/or referrals when necessary. She will also hold workshops during the course of the year on various topics to support social emotional wellness in children and families.  In addition to her work here, Dr. Lurye has a practice on the Upper West Side and Chelsea where she sees children, teens, and young adults.

Lauren Haberman

Special Projects Administrator

Lauren joined the Twin Parks Montessori team in 2024. Previously, she has worked in the administrative office and as an assistant teacher in the Pine Room and Chestnut Room during summer sessions. She loves children and is very passionate about teaching and education. She received her bachelors in economics from Columbia University in 2018 and masters in real estate from NYU in 2022. Since then, she has worked in both real estate and office administration. She is excited to be a part of the Montessori community and work with the children and families at Twin Parks.  Outside of work, Lauren loves reading, exercising, and baking!

Matti Tuuri, M.Ed.

Education Director

Matti Tuuri was a beloved Early Childhood teacher for nine years, and has been CPM's Education Director since 2022. We are happy to have her in her leadership role at CPM.  Matti has a bachelor’s from Michigan State and a Master’s in Education with a concentration in Montessori from St. Catherine’s University in Minnesota.  Matti has her American Montessori credential in Early Childhood.  She is in the process of pursuing an additional Master’s in Special Education.  Matti was a Montessori child herself, as her mother ran a Montessori program.  Matti’s children also attended and currently attend Central Park Montessori!

Jim Gaines, B.A.

Director of Admissions & Exmissions

Jim joined Central Park Montessori in 2022. He began his education as a Montessori child in Europe, where he also learned to speak French. After receiving his BA Degree from Vassar College, Jim moved to California and earned a Multiple Subject Clear Teaching Credential. Ten years in the classroom were followed by school leadership roles, including heading the Resurrection Episcopal Day School (REDS) in New York City, and the Terra Linda Montessori School in Marin County, CA. After successfully managing his family's business, Jim turned his attention to business development, communications, and marketing in schools, and for 15 years has served as the Admissions Director and Director of Marketing at schools in California and New York. He lives on Long Island’s North Shore with his wife, Terryl, and enjoys playing and listening to music, golf, movies, and travel. Jim’s most rewarding role is being a stepdad to Ian (17) and Lila (15).

Siri Sigge

Administrative Coordinator

Siri joined Central Park Montessori in 2024 as our Administrative Coordinator. Siri started her career working as a substitute teacher in her hometown in Sweden. She then earned her Bachelor degree in Science of Nursing at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sweden in 2014. Siri has spent most of her career working within the healthcare field as a Registered Nurse in Sweden. She is very excited to be a part of Central Park's learning environment.

Ellen Wengen, M.Ed.

Education Director

Ellen is passionate about Montessori and Early Childhood education in her work as an educator. Ellen was a teacher at Park West for 11 years, working with the 3-6 age group. In addition to classroom experience, Ellen also taught afterschool classes and was a camp supervisor.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Birth-Grade 2 Education, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Montessori major from the College of New Rochelle.  Ellen has her Montessori credential in Early Childhood and is NYS certified as a Birth- grade 2 teacher. 

Jeanny Jorge, M.Ed

Director of Admissions and Exmissions

Jeanny joined the Twin Parks community in 2017 as a Lead Toddler Teacher at the Riverside campus. In 2019, she joined the Park West campus as Director of Admissions. She has her Master's degree in Early Childhood Special and Bilingual Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also holds a New York State teaching license (Birth-2nd Grade) in general and special education, and Montessori credentials at the Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood levels. She has been part of the Early Childhood field for over 20 years working in various school settings in different roles in NYC. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and three children, two who were Twin Parks students!

Judith Kineke, B.A.

Administrative Coordinator

Judy has been Park West Montessori’s administrative coordinator since 2002. She feels privileged to be part of Park West Montessori’s community of lifelong learners and enjoys working with the families and staff. Before Park West Montessori, Judy worked in finance.

She received a BA in Music from Oberlin College and has sung with various choral groups throughout the city. 

Astrid Celin

Infant Toddler Coordinator

Astrid is Park West’s Infant/Toddler Coordinator and has been at Park West since 1994. In addition to being certified as an Infant/Toddler Montessori Teacher by CMTE/NY, Astrid has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Before moving to the United States from Colombia, Astrid earned a degree in Social Work. Astrid was also awarded the ‘2005 Golden Heart’ from Child Care Inc. at the Champions for Children Awards.

Candace La Douceur, M.S.

Admissions Director, Educational Director

Candace joined Riverside in 2006 as Educational Director and oversees admissions and exmissions. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY and a Master’s Degree from St. John’s University and holds NYS N-6 Permanent Certification. Candace is also Montessori Certified and taught for over ten years in a NYC Montessori school. Her experience also includes teaching for a Montessori Teacher Education Program and various other educational administrative roles.

Jenna Dabney, M.Ed.

Infant-Toddler Coordinator

Jenna joined Riverside Montessori in 2006 as a Lead Toddler Teacher and in 2014 became the school’s Infant & Toddler Coordinator. Jenna recently launched The Nurture Center, Twin Park’s newest program for infants and toddlers. She holds two Master’s Degrees from Bank Street College of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood School Leadership and completed her Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification in 2009 from CMTE/NY. Jenna holds her Professional NYS teaching license. During the summer Jenna runs a program training teenagers to work with children at a summer camp in Massachusetts and facilitates workshops involving issues of social justice. Her son is a student at Riverside Montessori.

Natasha Gordon

Administrative Coordinator

Natasha Gordon joined Riverside in 2022 as our Administrative Coordinator. Natasha previously worked in the tourism industry, working as the office manager at Gray Line New York Tours. Natasha is also active in community gardening and is working on getting her certificate in horticulture from the New York Botanical Garden. In addition to gardening, Natasha enjoys running and being outdoors. Natasha has Associate degrees in Legal Assistant Studies from NY City College of Technology, and in Travel and Tourism from Taylor Business Institute in NYC. Natasha is originally from Trinidad and came to NYC when she was a teenager.