Gaura Tester

(She/Her)
Head of School

Montessori made sense to me the minute I walked into a Montessori toddler community. Those toddlers opened me up to what education in a school could be, and there began my Montessori career. After my early childhood 3-6-year-old teacher training, I opened my first of many schools, Bambini Bhavan, in upstate NY, co-creating a community school.

Many years later, Catskill Montessori allows me to bring my classroom experience working with early childhood foundational years, Montessori leadership training and experience, and the calling to open schools that serve children and families to a culminating inspiring project. The realization that our current human experience now needs to include expanded awareness directed at earth care, people care, and fair share ethics has fueled the birthing of CMS alongside my co-conspirators, Narottama Tester and Rob Kalin.

I am also fueled by designing, creating, and maintaining natural and inspiring play spaces and sustainable gardens, making things with my hands, and serving community. My dedication to CMS is a lifestyle passion project and a culmination of my life work. May I serve this sacred land, the beings who arrive each day, and caste that into the greater community.