Meet the Staff

Christine Carrig | Director

AMS Certified, M.S. in Education

Originally from Virginia, Christine graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in English, and a focus on Children's Literature. Immediately after college Christine began her studies at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education Program in New Rochelle, NY, where she earned her American Montessori Society Certification. Christine worked for a number of years at Metropolitan Montessori School on the Upper West Side while also working towards her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Christine earned her degree, with distinction, from Mercy College before becoming a New York State Certified Teacher.

In 2008, being passionate about Montessori education and seeing a growing need for more early childhood education options in Williamsburg, Christine and her husband Bobby began the long process of opening a Montessori school. In September of 2009, Christine began teaching 6 of Carrig Montessori's first students out of her Williamsburg apartment, before finally opening the doors at 100 Maspeth Avenue on April 5, 2010.

Claire "Miss Claire" McGinley | Assistant Director

AMS Certified, M.S. Early Childhood/Special Education

Claire has been living in New York City for over 15 years and teaching for the last 10. Through her completed Montessori Certification in 2015, Claire developed a deep love for the Early Childhood phase of development leading to the completion of a M.S. in Early Childhood/Special Education 2019.

In the last six years Claire has become a part of Carrig Montessori community, first as a teacher and most recently as the Assistant Director. In 2017 Claire helped to create and facilitate the Mindful Parenting Program at CMS. Claire has also partnered with Director, Christine Carrig to develop multiple workshops including, Navigating Transitions. Their workshop, Partnering for Progress will be presented at this year's American Montessori Society Annual Conference. This past spring Claire was a presenter at the ECIS Early Childhood Conference presenting on teaching emotional intelligence through literacy and expression.

A proud North Brooklyn resident, Claire considers it a true joy to be able to be on the staff at Carrig Montessori where there is a joint focus on the Montessori method and social and emotional development.

Holly “Ms. Holly” Hansen | Teacher

AMS Certified

After growing up in the Florida Keys, Holly earned her degree in Musical Theater Performance from the University of Florida/New World School of the Arts. Living in Williamsburg and Greenpoint for the past 19 years, she feels a strong connection to this community. In her early years in New York she acted in many productions as a member of an off-Broadway theatre company. She also worked as a music teacher in several highly regarded children's programs throughout the city. Holly spent several years working as a nanny to a number of families, many of whom sent their children to Montessori schools. It was while working with these families, and seeing the incredible impact that Montessori education was having on them, that she became enticed to work with children in all areas of development: social, emotional, academic, and of course, artistic.

Holly is thrilled to begin her seventh year of teaching at CMS! Holly earned her American Montessori Society certification through West Side Montessori’s Teacher Education Program in 2015 and is also a certified Mindful Parenting guide which is the toddler and parent class that takes place in the fall and spring here at Carrig Montessori.

Jordan "Miss Jordan" Royal | Teacher

AMS Certified

Born and raised in northern Florida, Jordan studied dance at Douglas Anderson, a high school for the performing arts, before graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. Jordan has had the pleasure of working with children in a variety of settings over the past sixteen years including a dance instructor, camp counselor, tutor, nanny, and volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club via community gardening outreach. Jordan has found this time rewarding on many levels, which is why she is excited to have pursued her certification to become an Early Childhood Educator through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.

Jordan feels that working with children is an exciting challenge that has consistently demonstrated that it is as much of a learning experience for her as it is for the children. She believes it is equally important to instill an understanding of and respect for our connectedness to the rest of the world. Through CMS, Jordan hopes to provide a fundamentally healthy learning environment that encourages children to learn at their own pace, build confidence in their personal strengths and potentials, and enable them to support others' successes.

Charley "Ms. Charley" Cote | Teacher/Extended Day Coordinator

Originally from New Hampshire, Charley completed a B.A. in English at the University of Vermont. With a focus in Creative Writing, Charley also worked as an Office Assistant in the Department of Art and Art History to supplement her art minor.

During Charley's time at UVM, she mentored with the program DREAM, a student-run club that organized weekly events and activities for youth in affordable housing communities. Within both group and individual settings, Charley fostered strong and lasting bonds with the children while encouraging them to realize their limitless potential through pursuit of their interests and opportunities.

Charley's experience in DREAM helped her decide that she wanted to pursue a career in education, hoping to combine her creative passions with her love for children. Charley has been living in Williamsburg for three years, and in her free time she enjoys writing poetry, singing, and playing with her cat Stella. Charley is thrilled to be starting her third year with the Carrig Montessori community.

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