Board of Trustees

Jim’s involvement with Mastro Montessori began in 2003 as a civil engineering consultant at the former building in Little Silver. After learning more about the Montessori method, he and his wife Karen chose to educate each of their four children at Mastro, and joined the Board of Trustees in 2009. Prior to serving as Board President, Jim was the Treasurer and committee chair of the Academy Director search committee. Jim has also participated in planning each of the building projects at the White Road campus and is actively involved in the finance and facilities committees. Jim is a professional engineer and principal of Kennedy Consulting Engineers, LLC, a civil engineering consulting firm located in Red Bank. In addition to his board participation at Mastro, Jim serves as Vice President of the Life Guard Ecumenical Foundation. He volunteers as an engineering mentor to seventh and eighth-grade students who compete in the National Society of Professional Engineers Future City Competition. Mr. Kennedy holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University, as well as an M.B.A. in Management from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management.

Darry became a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in 1995. She has been an ICU nurse, a discharge planner, a nurse manager, and most recently, Director of Nursing Education for 18 Rehab Facilities. Darry also is a 500 Hour certified yoga teacher and past owner of The Yoga Studio in Fair Haven. Darry and her husband, Don, have resided in Shrewsbury since 1985. Two of their children attended Mastro Montessori in the '80s. Witnessing their successes solidified Darry's appreciation of the Montessori Method. Also, three of her 13 grandchildren have benefited from Mastro, with two still in attendance. Darry joined the Board of Trustees in 2005. She is grateful to have participated in the expansion of this valuable school.

Tracy has been actively involved at Mastro Montessori since she and her husband enrolled her daughter in 2017, first as a classroom liaison and then as a member of several parent committees. An Engineering graduate from The Ohio State University, she began her career in Information Technology at Procter & Gamble, led Technology and Operations for Cincinnati-based startup PlanetFeedbck.com, and then served as VP of Strategy & Operations for T-Mobile Europe in London. She moved back to the United States as CFO/COO of RichFX and later helped to launch YPulse, a youth market research firm. She then served as Executive Director for Let Grow, a non-profit promoting childhood independence, before joining Stand Together as Vice President of Infrastructure.

Michelle is an alumni Montessori parent, New Jersey Registered Architect, and a partner in the firm, MSA Architects, based primarily in Little Silver with a satellite office in Manhattan. The firm is involved in a versatile range of commercial and residential projects, both locally and throughout the tri-state area, as well as Florida. When it came time to choose a preschool for her son, Michelle was drawn to Mastro, as the Montessori Method reminded her of a different, but similar academic experience that she had had. It was an experience that profoundly shaped her life and the framework of Montessori and its potential to do the same for her son resonated with her. What was at first an exercise in choosing an educational philosophy and school for her son became a fascinating journey that she feels fortunate to have been able to experience alongside him. In addition to lending her personal and professional strengths to enrich Mastro, Michelle is also President of her Homeowner’s Association in Atlantic Highlands and is active in supporting the MCSPCA, Hackensack Meridian Health, and the Salvation Army of Red Bank.

Sara has been a Mastro Montessori parent since 2021 and has a background in private school education. Most recently she taught high school English courses as part of Gravitas, the online extension of The Stony Brook School, in Stony Brook, NY. Prior to the birth of her son in June 2016, Sara worked in advancement at The Stony Brook School and was the managing editor of the school’s magazine. She previously served on the Board of Trustees at North Shore Montessori School (Stony Brook, NY) where her children both began their Montessori education at 18 months old. Sara holds a B.A. from Gordon College in Communications and an M.A. from Monmouth University in English.

Mark joined Mastro Montessori as a Trustee in January 2015 and is the proud nephew of founders, Mary and Vincent Guarriello. Mark has served over 30 successful and dedicated years in Human Resources, assisting, counseling, and training to help develop a strong employment base for his clients. The knowledge he has gained from his years of commitment to his profession has assisted him in helping not only to maintain but to develop and foster strong employee relations for his clients. Mark knows from first-hand experience the passion and commitment the founders had in developing the school. He believes very strongly in Mastro's ideals, goals, and mission. He is very active in various fundraising events, assisting many in need. Mark lives with his wife, Rosa, on Long Island, New York.

Christine is a Mastro Montessori alumni parent and was active in the school’s original playscape fundraising campaign. Christine served as the Director of Development & Alumni Relations at The Parkside School, a private school in Manhattan, for most of her career. She was the President of the Fair Haven PTA Executive Board for three years and has been a member of the New York Junior League and Junior League of Monmouth County for over 20 years. She has served in numerous board and leadership roles. Christine is a current parent and active volunteer at The Peddie School, where she serves on the Parent Association Executive Board and is Co-Chair of The Peddie Fund. In addition, Christine works in the Admission Office at Peddie. She is also a current parent at Knollwood School in Fair Haven, where she regularly volunteers. Christine holds a B.S. in Economics and Finance from the Pennsylvania State University.

Beverly has a long history with Mastro Montessori, beginning when her children enrolled in the first class with Mrs. Guarriello in 1968. Bev started as the school’s assistant administrator. Five of her grandchildren have attended Mastro and two others have attended Montessori in Atlanta. Beverly has served as the board Vice President at Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County for seven years and helped to rebuild Union Beach after Superstorm Sandy. Beverly is retired from Prudential Property and Casualty Company. She holds a B.A. in French from Manhattanville College and an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.