Staff Bios

Arthur "Chip" Delorenzo, Executive Director

Chip DeLorenzo came to Damariscotta Montessori School in 2001 as the school's Director and Head Teacher for the Elementary classroom.  The following year Chip started the school's elementary program and is currently continuing as the school's Director and Head teacher for the Upper Elementary classroom.  Before coming to DMS, he was a Head Teacher at the Children's International School (now Bowman International School) in Palo Alto, CA and the Middle School Director at the Bowie Montessori Children's House in Bowie, Maryland.  Chip received his Bachelor's degree from Hampton University and his Masters degree in Education from Endicott College.  He holds Montessori credentials for Early Childhood (ages 3-6), Elementary I (ages 6-9) and Elementary II (ages 9-12), and has advanced training in Montessori adolescent programs.  Chip and his wife Sondra live in Newcastle with their sons Quinn and Nicholas.

Jill Baum, Lower Elementary, Head Teacher

I was born in England and lived there until I was 13, when my family immigrated to the United States in 1961. We settled in the Boston area. In high school I loved art and teaching, and my first teaching experiences were the Saturday art classes for the local recreation department. After high school I attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and Tufts University, majoring in printmaking and art education, Earning a B.Sc. in Education. The next few years included marriage, raising step-children, and having Naomi, my daughter.  My experiences included being a stay-at-home mom, a Nursery School teacher, and a Kindergarten teacher. 

My next major teaching experience was as a Special Education teacher in an elementary school in New Hampshire, and as a single parent.  I enjoyed several years of working with children with many different disabilities, teaming with Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Pathologists. I earned a Masters Degree from Plymouth State University, majoring in teaching reading to children with learning disabilities, and working with children with behavioral and emotional disabilities.

My extended family has always loved Maine, so in 1999 we moved to Damariscotta, and our experience here has been wonderful. For 5 years I was the teacher in a behavioral program at Gardiner Middle School. Two years ago, needing a change and looking for a different way to use my skills and my love of teaching, I discovered Montessori in my own backyard and it was a perfect match. I completed my Montessori Teaching Certification this summer. I think of my current teaching as my dessert after those rewarding but strenuous years as a special education teacher!

Teresa Hewson, Elementary Assistant Teacher

(Coming soon)

Christy Lavigne, Primary Head Teacher

When I’m not at DMS, I’m a thirty something year old mom to 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers and a wife of nine years to my husband Pat. I grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, immersed with people from around the globe and their many customs and cultures. This exposure, combined with my father’s life as a Virginia State Delegate and government teacher, sparked my interest in history and cultural studies. I planned to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a Social Studies teacher. But along the way, I found Montessori education! I just happened to find a ‘job’ as an after care assistant in a Montessori School. I was so taken with the philosophy and wanted to experience the Montessori classroom that I switched to night classes to finish my History degree at George Mason University. I knew Montessori was my calling though and I received my Montessori Certification in 1995; this is my 13^th year as a Montessori lead teacher and each day with the children is a ‘gift’!

My interest in culture and history continues and I have been lucky enough to train Montessori teachers on the subject. I am the Social Studies, as well as, the Practical Life instructor for a Montessori teacher training center in Virginia. Teaching adults is much different than children, but sharing the joys of Montessori is so special, no matter the age!

My husband Pat is a retired US Marine. During his service we had opportunities to travel to Japan and to live in Hawaii! I taught at a Montessori school in Honolulu that was on the beach! Once he retired we moved to West Virginia, near Harper’s Ferry. I helped start a small Montessori school while we lived there. As much as I enjoyed that experience, I missed being part of a larger school community. We started looking for new opportunities and a new way of life. After several trips to Maine, we knew this was the place for us. Once we visited this area and I saw the school, our decision was confirmed. Everything fell into place perfectly and we are the happiest we have ever been. Each day I reflect on how lucky I feel to be part of the DMS community and to be part of your children’s lives.

Amy Winkle, Primary Assistant Teacher

(Coming soon)

Julie Wilson, Primary Head Teacher

I was born in Bangor Maine and have lived most of my life right here in the great state of Maine!  For my “growing up” years I lived in Lincoln, a small mill town that boasts 14 lakes, as well as being the Gateway to Katahdin. Mt. Katahdin is the highest point in Maine, as well as being the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Baxter State Park is home to Mt. Katahdin; and was the primary weekend and vacation get-a-way destination for my family. 

My summer job during my college years I worked as Waterfront Director at residential camps.  I received a BA in English from the University of Maine at Farmington.  After which I took “the scenic route” to Montessori: working as a retail manager in Harvard Square; swim instructor and lifeguard at the Central Square YMCA; swim instructor and teacher for the Kindergarten program at the Greater Portland YMCA; self-employed title abstractor; then Oliver’s mom!

I was curious to learn more about the Montessori Philosophy after reading one of the many baby books I pored over before and during my early “mommy-hood”.  The author identified Montessori as the one child developmental theorist who had actually observed and interacted with the children she was theorizing about.  Observation and research demonstrated to me the amazing opportunities a Montessori classroom offers the child.  Not only did I want for Oliver to be in a Montessori Classroom- I felt my calling to the classroom.

I attended Maine Montessori Institute for NCME Primary Teaching Certification. Luckily Oliver was enrolled in the same school where I did my internship! Upon completion of coursework and internship I joined the staff at Bangor Montessori School.  I completed further coursework to earn my American Montessori Society Primary Teaching Credential last spring.

When I was offered the teaching position here at DMS I was thrilled for the opportunity to join this growing school community.  Moving away from friends and loved ones was a big transition, yet despite our “growing pains” Oliver and I are fortunate to be learning and growing amongst a dedicated staff, and welcoming Montessori community!

Dot Sewall, Primary Assistant Teacher

(Coming soon)

Amy Ricker, Parent Toddler Program

(Coming soon)

Kimberley Tolley, School Administrator

Montessori has been part of my life for the last 15 years. I've worked at DMS as the school administrator for the past two years, but I’m also a certified Montessori primary teacher and a mom to three Montessori educated daughters, two in lower elementary, and one in primary.  I actually discovered the Montessori philosophy years ago in my previous life --B.K.—before kids! 

 I graduated from Northeastern University with a business degree and worked for an international consulting firm called IdeaScope Associates.  The firm, with offices in Boston and San Francisco, specialized in helping Fortune 50 companies develop plans for long term strategic innovation.  Starting out as their Director of Operations, I soon became a principal and part owner of the firm.  Part of our mission as officers of the firm was to help smaller non-profit organizations develop strategic plans to help them flourish, and I became closely involved with the board of the Creative Education Foundation and The Thinking Center.  It was through my pro bono work with these two groups that I met many Montessori teachers and became intrigued with the simplicity and effectiveness of the Montessori philosophy.  I served as a board member of the Thinking Center for four years and taught classes along side Montessori teachers at the Creative Problem Solving Institute and The Thinking Lab, and even guest lectured at the Harvard Business School on the topic of entrepreneurship and strategic innovation. 

Eventually, I met my husband Michael—a very handsome sea captain--in Maine and we fell in love. Just after my partners and I sold the consulting firm, Michael and I got married, traveled the world and had twin girls, all within a year!  It was while I was pregnant with my third daughter that I began my certification to become a Montessori primary teacher.  I studied in Boston and put in classroom time at the Kingsley Montessori School.  We moved from Boston to mid-coast Maine where Michael and I met, settled down with our little girls and rest is history.  The Tolley family enjoys traveling, camping, sailing, gardening, performing (badly), and laughing together.