“The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say,
‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’“
Maria Montessori
The heart of the classroom is its teachers. These are the amazing humans who do the important work of shaping out students’ minds, serving as role models, collaborating with parents, and preparing our children for their future.
Montessori Lead Teacher Guide Diane Barba
Diane Barba is the Lead Teacher at Sea Rose. Originally from Long Island, New York, Diane first took an interest in teaching during high school when she worked as a student aide in special education classrooms. Miss Diane attended Northeastern University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies. She completed her three-year training at the Association Montessori Internationale Elementary Program at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. She received her AMI Elementary 6-12 Certification and is on track to complete her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2022.
During college she was an after-school volunteer for Boston Public Schools. After graduation, Diane moved to Rhode Island and began pursuing a Master’s Degree at the University of Rhode Island. During this time, she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy and worked as a Montessori Primary Assistant in 2018. In 2019 Miss Diane joined the staff at Sea Rose Montessori and assisted in both the primary and elementary classrooms.
Montessori Lead Teacher Guide Pamela Perl
With decades as a lead primary Montessori teacher, Pamela Perl has served as a Montessori primary lead teacher in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She holds a lead Montessori teacher certificate from New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in Cambridge, Ma., and holds lead teacher certification from the State of Massachusetts.
Miss Pamela came to Aquidneck Island as a teen when her father retired as an Army colonel. She spent many years in California and lived in Acapulco, Mexico, before returning to New England to raise her family.
Miss Pamela came to Aquidneck Island as a teen when her father retired as an Army colonel. She spent many years in California and lived in Acapulco, Mexico, before returning to New England to raise her family.
In addition to her Montessori focus, Miss Pamela also has experience giving Spanish lessons to pre-K and Kindergarten students and enjoys spending weekend time with her granddaughter in Massachusetts.
Miss Pamela was first introduced to Montessori philosophy when her son attended a Montessori school in Massachusetts and continues her dedication not only to early learners but to Montessori methodology at Sea Rose Montessori School.
Prior to guiding Sea Rose students, Miss Pamela previously launched and grew Montessori programs from Newport RI to Portsmouth RI and enjoys family, gardening, nature, long walks, and old movies.
Assistant Teacher Guide Amarilis Centeno
Amarilis Centeno is an Assistant at Sea Rose. She previously completed an early childhood education internship at the former Newport Montessori. Miss Amarilis is currently attending Rhode Island College and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Miss Amarilis developed the Elementary Spanish Program and teaches Spanish to elementary students daily. She also enjoys fostering early reading skills in a one-on-one setting, following the child and respecting their ability and willingness to learn.
Administration Assistant and Enrollment Coordinator Jessica Patricio
Jessica Patricio was for many years one of our Primary Assistants at
Sea Rose Montessori and has been part of Sea Rose since the
beginning. Miss Jess graduated from Lesley University with a degree
in English and Writing. Miss Jess is also a Whole Beings Leadership holistic child development graduate, a Montessori Administrators certificate program, as well as
a Cornell Social Media and Marketing graduate. She enjoys yoga,
writing, hiking, adventures with her dog, music, and exploring vegan
eats around New England.
Experience Sea Rose for Yourself!
Sea Rose is offering limited individualized tours with all health & safety protocols in place: advanced air filtration, HEPA filters, and CO2 monitors.
How Sea Rose Montessori Differs From Other Excellent Independent Schools in Rhode Island
- Health & wellness guidelines to preserve a safe school environment
- Highly trained faculty with extensive Montessori experience
- Emphasis placed on indoor and outdoor time
- Extended school day 8:00 am-5:00 pm for working families
- Year-round education program (including summer)
- Bright and airy eco-friendly classrooms and schoolhouses
- Reasonably priced tuition with payment options
About Sea Rose Montessori
RIDE- and DHS-approved, Sea Rose is located at 324 East Main Road in Portsmouth, RI. The beautiful grounds include a community garden that students help maintain.
Located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Sea Rose Montessori offers multi-age classrooms: primary (ages 3-5).
Parent-founded with highly experienced Montessori-certified teachers, Sea Rose also offers extended-day and summer programming. Pre-K openings for spring, summer, or fall enrollment.
What is Montessori Education?
Montessori views the child as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating their learning, even at a young age. When this child is placed in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared environment, the child instinctively seeks a rich learning experience through exploration, discovery and creativity.
Guided by a trained teacher, children are encouraged to work freely, pursuing their interests, and making choices for themselves in the learning process.
The Montessori Method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, more than 100 years ago, based on her scientific observations and conclusions about how children learn. She developed materials and methods, based on her findings, that are used around the world. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child.