Our Teacher Leaders
Alli Bizon
Teacher Leader
Alli, a Bucks County native, loves to foster wonder and joy in children. She has taught ages 3-9, primarily in the public Montessori sector, over the last thirteen years. She enjoys collaborating with families and developing adult education. Alli spends time with her two children and husband playing outside, practicing yoga, and is interested in art and design. Alli is certified as an early childhood and lower elementary Montessori teacher from Seton Montessori Institute and The Montessori Residency of Chicago.
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Alli holds a B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from Emerson College in Boston. She received her MAT from the University of Chicago's Urban Teacher Education Program. Alli is a National Boards Certified Teacher as an Early Childhood Generalist and holds an English as a Second Language Endorsement. She is completing her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University. Alli has served as an Early Childhood Education Policy Fellow for Teach Plus and was published in NAEYC's Equitable and Joyful Learning in Kindergarten in 2024.
Caitlin Reusche
Teacher Leader
With over thirteen years of Montessori teaching experience, this Chester County native is passionate about sparking a child’s curiosity and connecting with parents. As a mother of two children, she enjoys hiking, biking and running through new cities and communities with her family. Caitlin is an infant toddler and early childhood Montessori-trained guide from Seton Montessori Institute. She hopes to attain her doula certification in 2025 to fully support families from birth through childhood.
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Caitlin holds her B.A. in Political Science from St. Joesph's University with a minor in Business. She holds an MAT from the University of Chicago's Urban Teacher Education Program and holds an English as a Second Language Endorsement. She has developed children and family enrichment courses for preschool-aged families through Northwestern University and founded a child and caregiver summer Montessori program. Caitlin is serving as an adjunct faculty member at Chestnut Hill College, teaching in their Early Childhood Montessori program.
Alli and Caitlin are state-honored teachers who have worked together for 10 years. They were founding teachers at a start-up Montessori school in 2013, have presented at national conferences, for both the American Montessori Society and NAEYC, served as policy and teaching fellows, and led together on their public Montessori school's instructional leadership team from 2020-2024. They are excited to partner with your family!
Our Staff
J'lynn Ruffin
Assistant Teacher
Born in the City of Brotherly Love, J’lynn is excited to dive deeper into the Montessori approach while continuing her journey in early childhood education. She’s passionate about how children make sense of their world, build independence, and grow—and she loves supporting them along the way. New to Montessori, J’lynn brings a curious, research-informed perspective. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish, and her undergraduate thesis explored how Montessori supports motivation and independence in young children. Outside the classroom, you’ll find J’lynn rock climbing, knitting, lifting weights, learning languages, and chasing whatever sparks her curiosity.​
Cassie Melendez
After raising her son in Austin, Texas, Cassie and her husband made the exciting decision to relocate to Philadelphia in 2024. While homeschooling her son for six years, Cassie discovered a deep passion for child development and education. She designed and implemented a wide range of lesson plans, activities, and curricula, drawing inspiration from multiple traditions and educational resources.
Cassie brings to Mountain Laurel Montessori not only her rich personal teaching experience but also her warmth, creativity, and dedication to supporting young children in their growth. She is especially excited to be part of a community that values nature-based, hands-on learning and fosters meaningful connections between children, families, and the natural world.
Assistant Teacher