Pat Haas serves as ChildLight’s Administrator and Head Teacher of a Primary Class. She received her BA in English from Lafayette College in Easton, PA. After graduation, she was employed as Production Manager for Rodale Press (Prevention Magazine, Organic Gardening). Pat continued her education through graduate courses in New York City and at local colleges here in the Seacoast area.
Pat returned to her interest in Education when she began searching for a preschool for her own children. She gained experience through her work at Montessori schools in Rye and Stratham. Pat received her Montessori Certification in 1990.
Pat founded ChildLight Montessori School as a nonprofit facility in 1995. For 13 years, the school was located in a classroom attached to Pat’s home. In 2008, Pat was able to oversee the construction of ChildLight’s present solar/geothermal building.
Jen Weaver serves as Head Teacher in a Primary class. Jen attended the State University of New York at Purchase and received her BA from Empire State College in 2000. She was a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York from 1989-1996. In 1997, she spent a year in Australia on a Fulbright Scholarship for dance. On returning to New York, she danced with the Stephen Pentronio Company and Iren Hultman. Jenifer moved to Maine in 2001 where she lives with her partner and daughter. She received her Montessori Certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute while interning at ChildLight Montessori. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in special education through Northeast Montessori Institute and Endicott College.
Arleen Howard joined the staff of ChildLight in 1997, serving as an Assistant in a Primary Program and as Science Teacher in the extended Day program. Arleen has a great love of science. College studies in science at Regis College, work as a Yale University lab technician and experience as a high school science teacher all have advanced her knowledge in the area. She was first introduced to the Montessori philosophy while working at a New Haven, CT Montessori school where she developed a science program within their curriculum. Arleen has continued her studies through attendance at Montessori Assistant and Advanced Assistant Training programs.
Valerie Kolb joined the ChildLight staff in 1996 as a teacher and French instructor. After taking a one year sabbatical during the 2010-2011 school year, she has returned to serve as Head Teacher in a primary classroom. Valerie received her AMS certification through the Northeast Montessori Institute in 2004. Valerie also serves as Lead Teacher for the staff, providing insight and guidance regarding classroom environments and curriculum.
Nicole Ritchie serves as French instructor for the children of ChildLight. Nicole received her BA from Bowdoin College and an Advanced Certificate of French for the Universite de Lausanne, Switzerland. After experiences teaching French in elementary and junior settings, Nicole created L’Ecole de Nicole in 2008. Through these programs she offers French classes to children from ages 2 to 11. Nicole provides ChildLight children opportunities to learn French through conversation, song and games.
