Mael grew up in Upstate NY, and even though he’s fallen in love with Vermont, he still yearns for the Catskill Mountains sometimes. They moved to Guilford after graduating from Bennington College with a degree focused on collaborative storytelling, and simply can’t imagine leaving. He spent most of his childhood outside, usually with a book, and strives...Read More

Bex Slattery was born and raised on the coast of Massachusetts. She landed in Vermont in 2022 and began working at the Garland School in Brattleboro as their cook where she stayed for more than 3 years. Before that she worked at a daycare, in a bakery, as a caregiver, and in a life long...Read More

A former Montessori child herself, Rebecca has been guiding children in Montessori Primary classrooms since 2020. She earned her Montessori Credential through the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in 2024 and is deeply committed to fostering children’s independence, curiosity, and awe through careful observation and developmentally informed practice. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts from...Read More

Abbey has been working in education for 5 years. This is her second year at Hilltop, where she is excited to be continuing her career in education. Abbey grew up in Brattleboro, and now resides in Keene, New Hampshire with her partner, son, three cats, and a hamster. Despite this ,she has always had a...Read More

Marco joined Hilltop in 2015 as an After Care and Children’s House assistant, after seeing what a positive effect Hilltop had on his two children, one a Hilltop graduate and one currently in the Upper Elementary program. He moved to Brattleboro in 2014 from his home country of Ecuador. In Ecuador he taught language through...Read More

  Lisa has worked with children from one to fourteen years of age in a variety of settings over 30+ years. Most recently, Lisa has spent the last five years as a Lead Primary teacher in Keene, NH where she has lived for the past 16 years. Lisa began her Montessori journey as a Montessori parent...Read More

Megan grew up in Southern Vermont and is rejoining the community by way of Rhode Island. She originally left the state to volunteer with AmeriCorps in a service learning program at a charter high school in Austin, Texas. There, she started taking classes at community college with an eye toward education. She completed her associate...Read More

Chloe earned her Bachelor’s degree in Photography and Fine Arts from Purdue University. Throughout college she nannied for two young boys from the age of two until they were five. She quickly realized her love for working with young children during this time.  Shortly after college, she joined her family who had relocated to North Carolina,...Read More

Jill Malin brings years of experience as both a Montessori educator and a children’s music and movement specialist to Hilltop. She directed Blue Hills Music Together for 15 years before earning her Early Childhood Montessori certification from the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center – a transition inspired by witnessing the beauty and deep respect...Read More

Jennifer brings diverse experience and a love of both teaching and music making to her roles at Hilltop. She holds M.A.’s in Latin American Studies and Education, and she completed her Montessori AMI elementary training at the Washington Montessori Institute prior to moving from the DC area with her family. Jennifer taught music in both...Read More