Administration
Leslie S. Meldrum
Head of Schools
M.A. Public Administration - Rider University
Montessori Certification (ages 3 through 3rd Grade) - N.A.M.C
Leslie has been the Head of School for both sites since 1984. She is a director of the International Network for Children and Families, a Redirecting Children's Behavior (RCB) Instructor, a Certified Parent Educator and Parenting Coach, and a certified trainer for instructors of RCB. Leslie is also certified to teach Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom RCC). She has presented numerous times at the American Montessori Society (AMS) conventions, and the New Jersey Montessori Administrators Council (NJMAC). Leslie organized the New Jersey Montessori Administrators Council, and was its first President. She is an AMS consultant for school accreditation and has worked with schools all over the country as well as taught both RCB and RCC to schools all over the United States.
Donna Fiumara
Associate Head of School
Montessori Certification (Infant through 1st Grade) - St. Nicholas Center, London (MACTE)
Montessori Certification (1st through 3rd Grade) - N.A.M.C.
Donna is the Associate Head of Schools. She was a former Master Teacher, Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher and Educational Director while teaching in our Bridgewater location before moving over to become the site administrator for The Cherry Blossom. Donna is the direct supervisor for all teachers in the Stepping Stone and Primary Programs. She is a consultant for Princeton Center for Teacher Education and the American Montessori Society as well as a Redirecting Children's Behavior (RCB) Instructor. Donna has been with our schools as both a parent and an employee since 1999.
Diane M. Dodds
Director of Admissions
Montessori Certification - (Early Childhood) Princeton Center for Teacher Education
Diane has been the Site Administrator of Raritan Valley Montessori Academy since 2006 and the Admissions and Marketing Director for both sites since 2003. She is a consultant to other Montessori schools for both Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). Diane is a Red Cross certified CPR & First Aid Instructor. She was a Master Teacher for our Primary Program and taught Kindergarten Enrichment. Diane has been with our schools as both a parent and an employee since 1994.
Tina Paccione
Director of Development
Tina became the Director of Development in 2008. She has experience as a Media Representative for a large retail chain and has 12 years of experience working in many areas of the broadcasting field. Prior to moving to New Jersey, Tina worked as a video editor before going freelance in the film and TV industry. She has worked a variety of jobs on various movies, television commercials and news programs. Tina is a certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach and an entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry. She is a certified Healthy For Life Team Leader and presents wellness programs.
Seleste McDaniel
Assistant Administrator
Seleste worked at Merrill Lynch as an Executive Assistant in Princeton and NYC. She has been with our school since 2001 in many different roles of administration. Seleste is currently an Assistant Administrator at our Hillsborough site and is certified as an RCB instructor.
Janet Moody
Administrative Assistant
Janet has been with our schools since 2006. She has taught in our Stepping Stones Program at both our Bridgewater and Hillsborough locations. She is currently the Administrative Assistant at our Bridgewater site.