Director, Mary D'Anella, (she/her) was born and raised in South Philadelphia and was an early proponent of the charter school movement. Ms. D’Anella led the turn-around team for The Philadelphia Charter School for the Arts and Sciences and later served as its CEO, spearheading a successful school-wide reading improvement program that included intervention, remediation, and enrichment. Previously, she was a founding board member of the city's largest charter, The Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, and served as Director of Communications for its management company, String Theory Schools. Ms. D’Anella has been an advocate for Montessori preschool education since her own children benefited from the Montessori methods.
Director of Education, Isabella D'Anella-Mercanti, (she/her) has teaching certifications in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Isabella completed her Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from Chestnut Hill College. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a dual minor in Urban and Childhood Studies from Rutgers University. Prior to joining The Children’s House, Isabella worked at the Walter Rand Institute on counseling grant projects for the Camden School District and as a high school English teacher in Philadelphia. She continues to advance her studies in education policy to improve education in the Philadelphia region. Isabella earned her Pennsylvania Teaching Certification, Pre-K to 4th grade, in addition to her Pennsylvania Certification in English, grades 6th to 12th. As a young child, Isabella attended Montessori Preschool in Philadelphia.
Primary Guide, Anna Simons is a lifelong Philadelphian. She earned my BA & Master's in Early Childhood Education from Temple University and taught Kindergarten in the School District of Philadelphia for 15 years before embarking on her journey with music education as the owner, director, and teacher of Enchanted Music Together. During this time Anna hosted music classes at local schools and coached adults on why and how to easily support their child’s musical growth. Anna then went on to obtain her second Master's of Education, with a Montessori Certificate from Chestnut Hill College. Anna is married with two sons and loves to bake, sing, play the recorder & teach children. She also speaks fluent German.
Toddler Guide, Alanna Conover (she/her), has been a member of The Children’s House team since our inaugural year in 2017. Alanna is currently in a degree program for Early Childhood Education with a Montessori Teaching Certification from Chestnut Hill College. Alanna has a gentle and compassionate connection with those children in her charge.
Primary Guide, Colette Welsh (she/her) was granted her Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Chestnut Hill College. Colette holds a Montessori Primary certification. She began her Montessori teaching career at Montessori Children’s Academy in Chatham, NJ. She is a graduate of Montclair State University, majoring in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Early and Middle Childhood Education. During her undergraduate studies, she attended the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia, for a semester abroad. Upon her return, Colette earned her Pennsylvania Teacher’s Certification in Pre-K to 4th grade. Colette, who is an active community volunteer, is the mother of three young sons. She enjoys family life in her South Philadelphia neighborhood.
Toddler Guide, Gianna Scalia (she/her), joined The Children’s House team in December 2022. Gianna was an assistant in a toddler community last year and throughout the summer. Before joining The Children’s House, Gianna worked in various camp and early childhood settings throughout Philadelphia including infant classrooms. Gianna is currently pursuing an American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Credential at Chestnut Hill College.
Primary Guide, Qixuan Liu (she/her) received her Master's Degree in Intercultural Communication, M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor's Degree in Teaching Chinese To Speakers of Other Languages at the Beijing Language and Culture University. Qixuan is currently earning her Montessori certificate at Chestnut Hill College. She was a Chinese Language Teacher/Montessori Assistant Teacher where she would design and lead a theme-based after-school Chinese language program which included cooking, art, music and dance, STEM, and calligraphy. Qixuan also worked with the Asian Arts Initiative, Youth Art Workshop (YAW) & Access Center publishing, "Exploring Intercultural Sensitivity of South Asian Students Learning in Chinese Universities".
Literacy Consultant, Carmel Melso Galati is an award-winning Philadelphia educator with a Master's Degree and more than 25 years of experience in early education. As a certified reading specialist in the School District of Philadelphia, she has implemented proven school-wide reading programs and interventions. Mrs. Galati has written curriculum, conducted professional development, and has received both the Rose Lindenbaum Improvement of Education Award and the Schoolmen's Club Service to Children Award for her stellar contributions. Mrs. Galati holds additional certifications in Elementary K-5, Elementary Principal, Reading Recovery, Nursery through 3rd grade, and Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to being a reading specialist, she has held positions as a grade teacher, kindergarten teacher, regional literacy coach, professional development facilitator, and reading recovery teacher.