OUR TEAM
PETE ZETLAN - Head of School
Pete joined The Cornerstone community in the summer of 2024 as the fourth Head of School. Since 2001, Pete has been deeply engaged in Montessori education, serving as a teacher in Upper and Lower Elementary, as well as in multiple leadership roles. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Pete was at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA where he served as a teacher for 16 years and then took on the roles of Director of Lower Elementary and Director of Early Childhood and Montessori Education. Pete attended Boston University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. He also attended Salem State University and received a Masters of Special Education. Most recently, Pete received a certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Business School. In and out of the classroom, Pete is passionate about his work with young people and their families, supporting them along their educational journey and meeting them where they are at. While he did not attend Montessori schools growing up, his connection to Montessori education since 2001 strongly aligns academically, socially, and emotionally with his values.
Outside of his work in education, Pete enjoys spending time with his family, including adventures at the beach, riding bikes, or taking their dog on walks in the woods.
LAURIE DURKIN - Admininstrative Assistant
Laurie joined the faculty of Cornerstone in 2017 as a substitute teacher in Toddler, Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms. She has been in the office and helping throughout the building ever since. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College in French and International Studies and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She currently works in the front office as an Administrative Assistant. When she is not at Cornerstone she enjoys spending time with her family.
ROB KEYS - Admissions
Rob has been involved in Montessori Education for nearly 30 years as a teacher, administrator, consultant, teacher-educator, and presenter. The author of Follow the Child – The Basics, the Misconceptions, and Underlying Lessons of a Montessori Education, he has presented at AMS National and Regional conferences, written for Montessori Life, and has served on MACTE and AISNE evaluation teams. Rob has been a teacher-trainer with Seacoast Center since it’s inception in 1992 and founded Beyond The Mountain, a non-profit organization providing material and training in Haiti. He has trained teachers at public and private schools in the United States, as well as South Korea and Indonesia.
SUSAN DUFFY - Financial Coordinator
Susan has been working at Cornerstone for 18 years. She received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a minor in Business at the University of New Hampshire. She was a scientific programmer at MIT in Lincoln Laboratory for five years before moving to Yugoslavia where she was a professional ballerina at the Belgrade National Theatre. When she returned to New Hampshire she directed and managed the Ballet Theatre Workshop for ten years. Susan also contributes to our music and drama programs and afternoon enrichment classes on a regular basis.
JOHN SIGNORELLO - Director of Facilities & Maintenance
John first came to cornerstone in 1995 when his daughter enrolled in the primary program. John joined the cornerstone staff in 2011 as our facilities manager. Before that, John was a finish carpenter in the Portsmouth area. No one knows our building and grounds as well as John does. On any given day he can be found helping a child or a teacher in a classroom, keeping our utilities running, helping with an inspection, tending the water rill, or checking on the nature path. John has an endearing way about him, and we all appreciate his support and expertise on so many levels.
EMILY DUTTON - Children’s House
Emily (she/her) grew up in suburban Massachusetts spending the first years of her life climbing trees and frolicking through the “forest” (of ten trees) in her backyard. As she got older these were traded for sports and theater. She got back into the forest with her degree in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability at UNH. While working at the Seacoast Science Center, she realized an unknown passion for education.
After some years moving across the country and back to New Hampshire she found her way to nature-based education working at White Pine Programs deepening her teaching philosophies learning alongside incredible mentors. She has been interested in exploring Montessori education for many years and is excited to join Children’s House at Cornerstone. Besides education, she loves going for walks in the woods, climbing trees, painting, singing, drinking tea, and eating copious amounts of fruit.
MICHAELA DOYLE - Children’s House
Michaela became part of the faculty at Cornerstone 2024 as part of Children’s House. She is finishing her degree in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services at SNHU. Her background includes working as a paraprofessional, being a supervisor in adolescent residential homes, and as a classroom behavioral specialist in psychiatric programs. Her connection to this work goes beyond a career. It is an honor to potentially make a tiny impact in a child’s world as they move through life.
ALEXIA SEELEY - Children’s House
With over 9 years of experience in childcare, including babysitting, daycare, and nannying, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children through many stages of growth. I’m now excited to begin my Montessori journey as I combine my passion for child-led learning with my love of connecting kids to nature. When I’m not working, I’m usually out on a walk with my husband and dog or planning our next little adventure.
MATT ROSENBERG - Children’s House
Matt came to Cornerstone in the fall of 2025. Before coming to Cornerstone, he had been working in Early Childhood Education for twenty-five years, the last five of which were spent focusing primarily on Montessori infant curriculum.
Matt holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master's Degree in Literature from the University of New Hampshire. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Beloit College.
In his free time, Matt enjoys being with his family, losing basketball games to his younger son, losing philosophical debates with his older son, and being happily exhausted at the end of the day with his wife. Matt also enjoys whittling. Additionally, he is a self described music geek, and enjoys playing with his band.
KIM RETTSTATT- Toddler Program Guide
Kim joined Cornerstone as a Primary Guide in 2016. She received her Early Education (AMS 3-6) credential from Northeast Montessori Institute. She also holds a B.A. in English from Colgate University, and a M.Ed. from the University of St. Joseph. She is currently working on her Infant/Toddler certificate at NMI.
Kim is very excited about making the move to the Toddler program where wonder, independence and trust first take hold. She lives with her husband on the seacoast of New Hampshire and enjoys reading, biking, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.
REBECCA ROOD- Toddler Program Guide
Rebecca will be joining the toddler program at Cornerstone, beginning in fall 2025. She has an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working towards the AMS Infant Toddler Credential with Northeast Montessori Institute. She has been working with toddlers for the past ten years and is looking forward to sharing her dedication and passion for this age group with the Cornerstone community. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys hiking, spending quiet moments at home with her partner and pets, and hobbies like woodworking and sewing.
JULIA COLEMAN - Primary One Guide
Julia has been a part of the Cornerstone community since 1997, serving on the Board of Directors for 11 years before joining the faculty in 2009. Julia received her Early Childhood Credential from Northeast Montessori Institute in 2015. She is certified as a Montessori Child Study/MEI lead, and holds memberships with AMS and NHMS. Julia further supports the greater Montessori community through her work as a field consultant for adult learners earning their Montessori early childhood credentials.
JOELLE MOROPITO-HUOT - Primary One Guide
Joelle comes to us with over 20 years of Montessori experience. She has held many roles during her time in Montessori, ranging from assistant teacher to head of school. Joelle received her Montessori credentials from Northeast Montessori Institute and also holds her associates in Early Childhood Education. In 2023 she completed the Emerging Leaders Fellowship through the American Montessori Society. In May of 2023 Joelle was voted in as the President of the New Hampshire Montessori Association for a two year term and she welcomes the opportunity to support the Montessori Community.
EMMA SHEA - Primary Two Guide
This will be Emma’s first year as part of the Cornerstone School community. She received her AMS Early Childhood credential for ages 3-6 from Northeast Montessori Institute, holds a M.Ed in Integrated Teaching through the Arts from Lesley University, and a B.S in Environmental Conservation & Education from UNH-Durham. Emma is from the North Shore of Massachusetts, but most recently lived in Portland, Maine. Emma is an indoor cycling instructor, as well as an avid hiker and self-proclaimed National Park nerd. Emma lives in Epping with her husband and husky/hound mutt, named Happy and newly adopted puppy, named Archer.
LYDIA BAGHDOYAN - Primary Two Guide
Lydia received her AMI Primary diploma for ages 2.5-6 from Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon, and her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Reed College. Lydia grew up in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and currently lives in Durham with her family, where she enjoys gardening, reading, taking art classes, and being a mom. Most recently she worked at Little Tree Education in Madbury, where she was a lead teacher for five years. She has also worked as an organic farming apprentice on a small farm in Maine. Lydia joined the Cornerstone faculty in 2021.
HOLLEY DASCHBACH - Primary Three Guide
Holley joined Cornerstone as a Primary Guide in 2023. She received her Montessori Primary certificate from the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute and holds a M.Ed. from Lesley University and a B.A. from Middlebury College. Prior to Cornerstone, Holley was the lead primary teacher at Montessori of Exeter for 5 years. She has worked with children and students of all ages throughout her adult life as a Montessori guide, elementary teacher, tutor, and writing coach. When not in the classroom, Holley can be found knitting, reading, singing or tramping about in the woods, in search of birds, mushrooms, or lichen covered boulders. She lives in NH with her family.
EMILY BROWN - Primary Three Guide
Emily grew up with the White Mountains of New Hampshire as her backyard and as a result developed a deep love for the outdoors and nature at a young age. This love led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science and Policy which she received from Plymouth State University. With this degree, she has been exposed to many opportunities both out west (Utah & Colorado) and back home but the common thread that she has found between all her past experiences has been her everlasting love for children. She holds her AMS 3-6 credentials from Northeast Montessori Institute and has been in Montessori education for six years now.
In her free time she loves skiing, mountain biking, hiking, going to concerts, yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.
LINDSEY DIONNE - Lower Elementary One Guide
Lindsey joined Cornerstone in 2022. She worked at Hillview Montessori for the previous five years in the Upper and Lower Elementary programs. In addition to her background as a behavioral health professional and Scout program educator, Lindsey holds a B.A. in Art History from University of Missouri. She is currently finishing the Upper Elementary coursework for her Lower and Upper Elementary Montessori Certification from Seacoast Center Montessori Teacher Education Program.
ERIN HOLZMAN - Lower Elementary One Guide
Erin Holzman is originally from upstate New York, and spent her early childhood on a small island in the Gulf of Mexico. She was raised by a Montessori teacher and a professional artist, and it definitely shows.
Erin graduated from Brandeis University with a dual BFA, one in Art History and the other in English & American Literature. She received an MFA in Visual Arts from Miami International University of Art & Design. She has an AMI diploma for Adolescents. Erin has spent most of her professional life in and around education, teaching in primary, elementary, and adolescent environments, with some university teaching thrown in for good measure.
Erin loves to read, listen to music, make art, and explore. She is excited to be living on the New Hampshire coast, because the beach smells like home. Her favorite bird is the burrowing owl.
SARAH CHASE - Lower Elementary Two Guide
Sarah has been teaching at Cornerstone since 2016. She holds both her 3-6 Early Childhood and 6-9 Lower Elementary AMS credentials. She is currently working toward her AMI 6-12 Elementary diploma through Washington Montessori Institute. Sarah received her Bachelors of Arts from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and her Masters of Education from Boston University. Prior to Cornerstone, Sarah worked as a nationally certified sign language interpreter, specializing in educational interpreting, in the greater Boston and D.C.-metro areas. Sarah and her family reside in Southern Maine.
ERIN DASCOLI - Lower Elementary Two Guide
Erin joined the Cornerstone community in 2022. She began her Montessori journey in 2018, when she took an assistant position in an Upper Elementary classroom at Hillview Montessori. There, she developed a curiosity, and eventually a love, for the Montessori theory and pedagogy. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She recently received her AMS credential for ages 6-9 through the Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative (METTC) in Lexington, MA.
Erin lives with her husband in New Hampshire. She loves to be outdoors and to camp with her family. Her hobbies include reading, writing, photography, and crochet.
DON BARBER - Upper Elementary One Guide
Don has been teaching at Cornerstone since 1992. For most of those years Don has taught in Upper Elementary. He has also taught for 5 years in Lower Elementary and for two in the Junior class. For ten years Don was a faculty member at the Seacoast Center for Education, where he evaluated teachers preparing for the Montessori elementary certification. Since 2007 Don has been involved with the Christian Montessori Fellowship (CMF). He develops Bible based, elementary level lessons and materials and presents them at CMF national conferences. Through CMF Don consults with schools and trains elementary teachers. Don enjoys time at home, jogging, and woodworking. He and his wife, June, live in Newfields. Their children are both Cornerstone graduates - Laura, class of '02 and Alex, class of '04..
WAYNE ANDERSON - Upper Elementary One Guide
Wayne joined the faculty at Cornerstone in 2016. He received a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Education and Philosophy from Plymouth State University in 1977. Wayne worked many years working as a general contractor in residential construction before becoming interested in the Montessori approach to education when he was preparing to enroll his daughter in preschool. Wayne received his Elementary I and II certifications from CMTE/NY and has been in Montessori education teaching at the Upper Elementary and Junior levels for nearly ten years, as well as holding the position of Director for eleven years.
SANDI KEYS - Upper Elementary Two Guide
Sandi has been at Cornerstone since 1999 with a few years away. She has taught Children’s House, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary at Cornerstone. She has been a teacher trainer through Seacoast Center for Education and a field consultant for Center For Guided Montessori Studies at both the the 6-9 and 9-12 levels for private and charter Montessori schools. She has her Early Childhood Montessori Certification from Northeast Montessori Institute, and her Elementary I and II Certification from Seacoast Center for Education. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Endicott College. Sandi is trained in Mentors in Action and has designed Montessori materials for Alison’s Montessori, and was a sales manager for Azoka Company. Sandi has two adult children, both alumni of Cornerstone. She believes in team building and collaboration.
HOLLY FURLONE- Upper Elementary Two Guide
Holly joined the Cornerstone family in 2005-2007 as an Upper Elementary Co-Director. Holly returned in 2017 as a Learning Specialist and Primary Cursive Handwriting Coach. During that 10 year stretch and her 15+ year career in Montessori education, Holly has served as a classroom teacher, program developer, administrator, 1-1 paraprofessional, education consultant and also as a practicum site supervisor for Montessori educators pursuing their teaching credentials through the Seacoast Center for Education.
Holly holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education focus and, following the successful acquisition of her 6-9 and 9-12 Montessori teaching credentials, Holly went on to earn her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Montessori Theory, Philosophy & Practice from Plymouth State University. In 2022, she completed coursework in Using Structured Literacy in Montessori Classrooms to Support Students with Dyslexia and Reading Challenges. Holly completed the Orton-Gillingham Educator Course in 2022 to further support the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
She lives up in the White Mountains with her child, sharing a love of the outdoors, making music and experimenting in the kitchen.
CHRISTINE ROCKWOOD - Junior Class Guide
Christine has been Co-Directress in the Junior Class since 2000. She has a degree in English Teaching from the University of New Hampshire and completed the Montessori Assistant’s Overview with Northeast Montessori Institute. Chris trained for the Elementary I level of Montessori with Seacoast Center at Cornerstone in 2002-2003. Prior to joining the faculty at Cornerstone, she worked in both the Dover and Manchester public school systems.
DR. ABIGAIL ANDREOLI - Junior Class Guide
Abigail received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2016. She then moved to New Hampshire where she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with her Doctorate in Physics in 2021. Abigail has had a lot of passion for teaching ever since she was a tutor at Edinboro. That passion grew at the University of New Hampshire as she was a teaching assistant and the observatory manager in which she worked in public outreach. After 2021 she was a 9th grade physics teacher. She has now joined the faculty of Cornerstone to be the math and science teacher.
JOE KARR- Junior Class Guide
Joe brings his passions for gardening, environmental education, and project-based learning to Cornerstone as the Farm and Micro-economies teacher for the JR class. Joe has years of experience teaching science to middle and lower school students and making learning hands-on, relevant, and engaging. His most recent position was the Education Manager with the Trustees of Reservations. There he managed all education programs, staff, and budgets at a 1,000-acre farm. He really enjoys sharing best practices with others and has been leading professional development for The Trustees, The Wade Institute for Science Education, and Audubon. He loves backpacking, playing the drums, and having fun with his two daughters, Nora and Zoe, and his dog, River.
ANNE SEEKINS - Learning Specialist
Anne has been a member of the Cornerstone School faculty since 2008. Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. She has a Master’s in Education from Endicott College and her 3 – 6 year olds Montessori Certification from New England Montessori Institute. Prior to coming to Cornerstone, Anne was a counselor and social worker. In 2020, she completed a graduate certificate program in Dyslexia Studies and Language-Based Learning Disabilities from Southern New Hampshire University and Landmark school. Anne is an Orton-Gillingham certified instructor at the Associate level and supports the needs of students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
PATTYANN ZOTZ - Learning Specialist
Pattyanne joined the Cornerstone Community in 2023. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and worked in the retail industry for 15 years. She has a BA in education from Wheelock College, and a masters degree in education with a concentration in Montessori from Plymouth State University. She also has a Reading Specialist Certification from MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Pattyanne taught 4th grade in Weymouth and then found her passion in Montessori while visiting at Inly School in Scituate, Massachusetts. She taught Lower Elementary there for 13 years. After Inly School, she moved to Tobin Montessori Public School in Cambridge and taught Lower Elementary there for the past 10 years. She is currently an instructor for the Seacoast Montessori Education Center. Pattyanne fell in love with Cornerstone during her own training through Seacoast Montessori Education Center which was housed at Cornerstone at the time.
When at home, she takes care of her mini horse, 2 goats, 7 chickens, 2 cats and 1 dog. She also enjoys playing with her two grandchildren, gardening and hiking.
KidSHINE - 1:1 Pediatric Occupational Therapy
For the past five years, KidSHINE has partnered with Cornerstone to support students in building the skills they need for confident, successful participation in school and daily life. Their team focuses on regulation, fine motor, and gross motor development—key foundations for classroom success—while working closely with families and collaborating with teachers to provide strategies that carry over throughout the school day. In addition to individualized support, KidSHINE offers small, engaging group sessions that foster social participation, self-regulation, and peer connections in meaningful, motivating ways.
MIRACLE FARM - Speech Therapy
Miracle Farm Speech Therapy (MFST) is a private pediatric speech therapy practice located in Hampton Falls, NH specializing in treating infants, toddlers, and school-aged children.
MFST provides on-site speech-language therapy services at the Cornerstone School for students from the Toddler program through Juniors, servicing students who may benefit from support in the area of communication. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with students in areas such as speech sound production, language comprehension and expression, vocabulary, social pragmatic communication, fluency, and voice.
The collaboration between MFST and Cornerstone allows students to receive individual or group support in the familiar and supportive environment of school during their school day. By integrating speech therapy directly into the school day, we are able to provide consistent progress monitoring and meaningful carryover of skills into the classroom setting.
MFST offers speech and language screenings and evaluations, along with parent and/or teacher consultations, to help determine whether speech therapy services are recommended for each child.
ABBY POLLOCK - Music
Abby is originally from Cape Cod, MA, and taught music at an International Baccalaureate School in Provincetown. She earned her undergraduate degree in music education from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford in CT, and her Master's Degree from Boston University. Abby moved to the Seacoast area of NH in 2023 with her two cats, Arlo and Winnie. Abby began playing the saxophone at the age of 10, and has been happily making music ever since! She has both competed in and judged many music festivals, and gives private lessons on all band instruments. She has been with Cornerstone since 2024.
JENNY BERNITZ - Art
Jenny joined the Cornerstone faculty in 2018. Prior to joining the Cornerstone faculty, she earned a BFA from Endicott College. She then discovered Montessori education and began her teacher training. In 2013, She received her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Montessori Academy at Spring Valley in Federal Way, Washington. She spent several years co-teaching on the west coast before moving back to New England, where she has continued to teach.
GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ - Spanish
Gabriela was born in Arica, Chile. She left Arica in the year 2000 and began a journey of knowledge and self-awareness. She studied theatre, dance, health coaching, prenatal yoga, which all led her to become a Doula. She also completed a postgraduate degree in music therapy, body awareness and psychology. She has training in teaching project-based learning, nature-based learning and self-directed learning. She is certified as a Montessori Primary Teacher by the Centro de Entrenamiento Montessori (CEM) in Monterrey, Mexico.
Gabriela began her teaching journey with neighborhood children’s classes when she was 14 years old. From that time on, she has been involved in diverse forms of teaching: Spanish tutoring, integrative after school programs, child care, Montessori substitute teaching, a Baha’í children’s class coordinator, and as a health coach. In 2015, she worked at Radicle Roots community schoolhouse for two school years, as a Kinder and first grade teacher and as a Spanish teacher. In 2017, she worked at Whole Life Learning center as the Learning Specialist for Lower Elementary. She also taught Spanish and Theater from first grade to eighth grade. In 2019, she worked at Escuela los Amiguitos, an immersion Spanish program, as a Kinder and first grade Spanish teacher, with a nature-based approach. In 2020-2021 she worked as a private Spanish tutor for kids, teens and adults.