the Bala House
Our nurturing and experienced staff is passionate about young children! They enjoy what they do and are devoted to creating a respectful and caring learning environment for all Bala House students. Our head teachers are certified through either the International (AMI) or American (AMS) Montessori training organizations.
Diane Force, School Director: (dforce@balahouse.org) Diane joined Bala House in June 1998. She has experience in both Early Childhood Development and Administration. She holds a M.C.A.T. (Masters of Creative Arts Therapy) in Dance Therapy from Hahnemann University and has over 15 years experience in Administration, both in the legal profession and at Bala House as the Assistant Director for 6 years. Diane is the mother of two Bala House graduates.
Linda Stulz, Admissions Director: (lstulz@balahouse.org or admissions@balahouse.org) Linda has a B.S. in Human Development from Penn State University, an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Temple, and Supervisory and Elementary School Principal certifications from Arcadia College. She was the Bala House School Director from 1998 to 2004. After working for the School District of Philadelphia as the Education Coordinator for the Office of Early Childhood, Linda returned to Bala House in 2010 as the Admissions Director. She has over 30 years of experience in early childhood education and is the mother of one son who attended Childtowne Montessori School.
Lisa Valentine, Marketing and Development Director: (lvalentine@balahouse.org) Lisa served on the Bala House Board of Trustees for 3 years. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University and has experience in technical sales. Lisa joined Bala House in 2005 as the Administrative Assistant, and in 2006 she became the Marketing and Development Director. She is the mother of two Bala House graduates.
Justine Winkler, Administrative Assistant: (jwinkler@balahouse.org or admin@balahouse.org) Justine joined the Bala House staff in 2008. She has over 10 years experience in office management. Also, Justine worked 3 years as a teaching assistant for an early child care facility. She is the mother of a Bala House graduate.
Kiernan Black, Teacher: (kblack@balahouse.org) Kiernan has a BA in Communications and Psychology from Rutgers University and received her AMS certification from the New England Montessori Training Center. Kiernan joined Bala House in 2008 after teaching at Riverside Montessori in New York and Cambridge Montessori School in Cambridge, MA.
Kathy Galvin, Educational Director and Teacher: (kgalvin@balahouse.org) Kathy holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Beaver College and is certified by AMI. She has been teaching since 1976 and taught at Bala House from 1982 to 2003. From 2003~2007 Kathy left Bala House to take a position as a Pre K head start teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. Kathy returned to Bala House in 2007 as the Educational Director and teacher. Kathy is the mother of three Bala House graduates.
Denise Johnson, Extended Care Director and Classroom Assistant (a.m.): Denise has been at Bala House since 1980. She has training in Play Therapy from Hahnemann Hospital and an Early Childhood Education degree from Harcum College. Denise is the mother of two Bala House graduates.
Jessica McDowell, Teacher: (jmcdowell@balahouse.org) Jessica is a certified AMS Montessori teacher with five years experience. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Temple University. Jessica joined the Bala House staff in 2010 after working at Central Montessori in Richmond, VA.
Tamar Stavans, Teacher: (tstavans@balahouse.org) Tamar is an AMS certified Montessori teacher with over 20 years teaching experience. She has a Masters Degree in Education from Temple University. Tamar joined Bala House in 2011 after working as a head start Montessori teacher in the Philadelphia School District. Tamar has experience as a reading specialist, worked with special needs children, and taught first grade in Mexico.
Bernice Andrews, Cindy Beitz, Carolyn Blackwell, Chryselle Bolger, Elaine Contino, Lisa Hickman, Cora Sellers, and Hong Zhou, Assistants: Bernice completed her Montessori training and joined our staff in 2003. Cindy began working at Bala House in 2011 after 12 years as a nanny. Carolyn joined Bala House in 2007 with 9 years of childcare experience. Chryselle came in 2010. Elaine began working at Bala House 1997, after many years as an assistant in area private schools. Lisa joined our staff in 1997 and is a mother of a Bala House graduate. Hong came to Bala House in 2010 and Cora in 2011. They are both attending Chestnut Hill College for their Montessori training. Hong is the mother of a Bala House student.
Linda Betlejeski, Music Instructor: Linda joined the Bala House staff in 1990. She holds a B.S. in Music Education and a M.M. in Music Education Research from Temple University. Since 1981, she has taught at various area schools.
Colleen Borden, Big Friend & Me Instructor: Colleen, a longtime music teacher and current Bala House parent, joined the Bala House staff in 2009. She has a Bachelors in music from Queens College. She is the mother of a Bala House student and a graduate.
Dana Calafati, Tumble Tots owner and Movement Instructor: Dana attended the Exercise & Sports Science program at Ursinus College. She has 16 years of gymnastics experience and 14 years of direct gymnastics teaching experience with both nursery and school-age children. Dana joined Bala House in 1999.
Lisa Dissinger, Ph.D., Consulting Psychologist: Lisa is a licensed psychologist in private practice with a specialty in early childhood development and parenting coaching. Her consulting practice includes psychological assessments of children, consultation to parents, and parent education. Lisa is the mother of one Bala House graduate.
Laurie Geers, Art Instructor: Laurie joined the Bala House staff in 1995. A graphic artist, she holds a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute. Laurie has been teaching children’s art classes at the Main Line Art Center since 2000.
Ana Levit, Spanish Teacher: Ana has taught Spanish to our kindergarteners since 2001. A native speaker of Spanish, she holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and has had Montessori training at Chestnut Hill College. She is the mother of four Bala House graduates.