Meet Our Team
Our nurturing and experienced staff is passionate about young children and highly trained. Our head teachers are certified through the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the State of Pennsylvania. Head teachers have one assistant, many of whom also have Montessori training, a Bachelor’s degree, and childcare experience. Our teachers enjoy what they do and are devoted to creating a respectful and caring learning environment for all Bala House preschool and kindergarten students.
- The average tenure of our classroom teachers: 19 years
- Teachers who have 20 years or more of teaching experience: 39%
- 10 years or more of teaching experience: 66%
- 5 years or more of teaching experience: 83%
Faculty
Back Row, L-R: Emily, Tynesia, Malaika, Diane, Linda, Nancy, Annie
Middle Row, L-R: Jessie, Lisa, Toni, Sam, Carolyn
Front Row, L-R: Mary Beth, Jen, Sandy, Soraya
(Not pictured: Roya, Dana, Liz, Lisa D. and Ellen)
Mary Beth Makatche, Educational Director and Teacher: (mmakatche@balahouse.org) Mary Beth is an AMS certified Montessori teacher with 22 years of teaching experience. She obtained a B.S. in Early Childhood Education / Creative Arts from East Stroudsburg University and an M.Ed. plus Montessori certification from Chestnut Hill College. Mary Beth joined Bala House in 2014 after working as a Head Start Montessori teacher in the Philadelphia School District. She also has many years of experience in singing and visual arts. Mary Beth is the mother of three Bala House graduates.
Jennifer Heness, Teacher: (jheness@balahouse.org) Jennifer has a BFA from Temple University, an M.Ed. from Chestnut Hill College, along with Montessori Early Childhood Certification from the American Montessori Society, and a Private Academic License. She has previously taught at Wilmington Montessori School, Holy Child Academy, and The Walden School for a combined 13 years. She is the mother of three boys who are all Montessori alums, as is she. Her background in the arts and love of nature find their way into the classroom often. Jen started at Bala House in 2022.
Soraya Force, Teacher: (sforce@balahouse.org) Soraya is a Bala House graduate and Montessori-certified teacher who has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Chestnut Hill College. She also has her Montessori Credential and Private Academic License. Soraya joined the Bala House teaching staff in 2018 and serves as both a classroom lead teacher and Camp Director.
Sandy Gayda, Teacher: (sgayda@balahouse.org) Sandy is an AMS-certified teacher with over 30 years of Montessori teaching experience. She received her B.A. in Education from Georgian Court University. She is a previous Director of Education and is also a mother of 2 older boys, who are Montessori graduates.
Sam Foulke, Extended Care Director: Sam is a graduate of West Chester University and has over 10 years experience working with primary age children. She is currently working towards her Montessori credential.
Carolyn Blackwell, Jessie Carrington, (Gayle) Malaika Davis, Lisa Hickman, Toni Nelson, Annie Olah, Linda Palmer, Roya Shahriari, Assistants: Carolyn joined Bala House in 2007 with nine years of childcare experience. Jessie has her Master of Education, Montessori Credential and Private Academic License. She worked as an Assistant and Lead teacher at Bala House from 2016-2020. She returns to Bala House this year as Assistant Teacher and mom of two current students. In 2014, Malaika began working at Bala House. She is a PA certified N-3rd-grade teacher with a B.S. in Child Development and Child Care from the University of Pittsburgh who appreciates the self-directed, peaceful Montessori Education program. Lisa is the mother of a former Bala House student and has been working at Bala House for 25 years. She has completed her Child Development Credential (CDA) and is currently working on her degree in early childhood education. Toni joined Bala House in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health and 44 years of experience working in Montessori and traditional day care settings. She has unique experience working with individuals with special needs. Annie joined Bala House in 2023 and holds a B.A. in French Studies from Smith College and AMS Credential from St. Mary’s College of California. She is the parent of 3 former Bala House students. Linda Palmer joined Bala House in January of 2021 after 20 years of teaching at Horsham Montessori School. Roya joined Bala House in 2025 and has over eight years of teaching experience, including roles as a Universal Pre-K and Head Start preschool teacher.
Specialists
Nancy Andrews, Art Instructor: Nancy has a Bachelor and Masters of Fine Art from the Philadelphia College of Art. She has 10+ years experience teaching art at Friends Central, Gladwynne Montessori and Bala House. In 2018, she joined the Bala House staff as the Late Care Supervisor. She enjoyed this position for four years until 2022 when she joined the Administrative team. Not only has Nancy spent many years teaching in the classroom, she also spent five years as a Montessori parent when her daughter attended a Montessori school.
Dana Calafati, Tumble Tots owner and Movement Instructor: Dana attended the Exercise & Sports Science program at Ursinus College. She has 17 years of gymnastics experience and 15 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.
Liz Filios, Music Instructor: Liz is a Philadelphia-based musician, theatre artist and educator. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Liz has taught Acting, Voice, Movement and Composition at Play On Philly, Abington Friends School, Waldron Mercy Academy, Arden Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Pennsylvania Theatre Institute, The University of The Arts, Arcadia University and The Pig Iron School for Advanced Performance Training. She wrote, composed and hosted a live national children’s television program for PBS Kids, called The Sunny Side Up Show on Sprout. Liz is also a Company Member and Director of Artist Training at People’s Light, and a certified member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
Administration
Diane Force, School Director: (dforce@balahouse.org) Diane joined Bala House in June 1998. She holds an M.C.A.T. (Masters of Creative Arts Therapy) in Dance Therapy from Hahnemann University and has over 25 years of experience in Administration, both in the legal profession and at Bala House as the School Director for the past 17 years. Diane is a co-founding member and President of the PA Montessori Alliance, has led a local Montessori Heads Group of 25+ schools for the past 11 years and was a Board member of the Montessori Teacher’s Teacher’s Association of PA for 10 years. Diane is the mother of two Bala House graduates.
Tynesia McDowell, Assistant Director: (tmcdowell@balahouse.org) Tynesia holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University and a Masters in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum from Drexel University. Tynesia joined the Bala House community as an intern in 2009. This year she looks forward to her roles as a Bala House parent and Assistant Director.
Emily Surovick, Admissions and Annual Campaign Director: (esurovick@balahouse.org or admissions@balahouse.org) Emily holds B.S. in French from Georgetown University and has served as Admissions Director in a variety of schools. As a parent of two Bala House graduates, Emily brings her love of Montessori and the unique Bala House community to her position. Emily served as the Development Chair for the Bala House Board for three years prior to joining the Bala House staff in 2015.
Nancy Andrews, Administrative Assistant & Art Instructor: (nandrews@balahouse.org)Nancy has a Bachelor and Masters of Fine Art from the Philadelphia College of Art. She has 10+ years experience teaching art at Friends Central, Gladwynne Montessori and Bala House. In 2018, she joined the Bala House staff as the Late Care Supervisor. She enjoyed this position for four years until 2022 when she joined the Administrative team. Not only has Nancy spent many years teaching in the classroom, she also spent five years as a Montessori parent when her daughter attended a Montessori school.