About Our School
Our mission at Wildflower Upstate New York Charter School is to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment rooted in Montessori philosophy, where every child has access to the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. We are committed to ensuring that every student and their families feel a sense of belonging within our school. Through a child-centered curriculum that honors the Montessori principles of hands-on learning, self-direction, and collaborative exploration, we hope to inspire a true love for learning in our students.
Our vision at Wildflower Upstate New York Charter School is to model and emphasize equity in all aspects of our school community. Through this, we empower students to embrace their unique identities and contribute meaningfully to the world around them, fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion toward creating a more accepting and inclusive society, where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Our Teacher Leaders
Wildflower Teacher Leaders create and lead their schools with hearts and minds focused on the limitless potential of the children entrusted to them. Wildflower Schools are designed, opened, and led by entrepreneurial Montessori teachers with a passion for community-embedded, liberatory education.
Our Executive Director
Wildflower schools are built on teacher autonomy, small-scale design, and decentralized governance. An Executive Director acts as a partner in this work by handling operational, financial, and charter compliance-related responsibilities that allow educators to focus on what matters most: devoting their energy to children and community while leading thriving Montessori classrooms.
Our Founding Board of Trustees
Guided by Teal principles of self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose, our Board serves as a steward rather than a traditional top-down authority. The Board’s role is to nurture leadership, protect the integrity of our mission, and ensure long-term sustainability. By supporting and elevating the Executive Director and Teacher Leaders, the Board creates the conditions for empowered leadership, while maintaining clear accountability to our vision, community, and charter obligations.
Maureen Foley
Board Chair
Maureen Foley earned her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University, a Master of Science in Teaching from Pace University, and a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She began her career as a Teach For America corps member, teaching 7th grade English in New York City.
She later taught 6th grade math at Excel Academy Charter School in Boston, where her students’ state exam scores ranked among the highest in the state. During her time at Excel Academy, Maureen also served as Director of Talent and later Director of Human Resources, supporting the growing charter management organization with staff recruitment and a range of human resources initiatives.
After returning to her hometown of Albany, New York, Maureen worked as Director for New Charters at the SUNY Charter Schools Institute. In this role, she supported the review and authorization of new charter schools across the state and led annual school evaluation visits. She now works as a part-time education consultant.
Maureen is passionate about ensuring that all students – regardless of background – have access to an excellent education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, traveling, and spending time outdoors. She lives in Albany, New York, with her husband, two young sons, and one cat.
Leah Ferrone
Vice Chair
Leah Ferrone received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts. She is a Certified Mindfulness and Yoga Practitioner, and a true child at heart. Through her company Brave Lion, she offers neuroscience and nature-based mindfulness to help educators, children and families cultivate a personalized, accessible and simplified mindful map of tools that foster mental, emotional and physical wellbeing based in resilience, empowerment and the ability to live a self-aware and self-directed life.
While she loves working with children, she is equally passionate about teaching grown-up kids through her mindful educator and parent programs. Leah was trained in mindfulness for children through Dr. Christopher Willard of Harvard University (Growing Up Mindful I and II), Mindful Schools, MindUp and Flow and Grow Yoga for Children. She is a preschool teacher, and a 200 hour Certified Yoga Instructor. Leah proudly grew up in upstate New York, where she resides with her husband, son and daughter. She finds most joy spending time with her family in nature, reading, cooking and creating things.
Jessica Connor
Secretary
Jessica Connor attended SUNY Plattsburgh, where she earned both her B.S. and M.S.Ed. in B-6 General and Special Education. She is an experienced educator and administrator with a background in early childhood education as well as middle school education. She began as a preschool teacher, and later became an Assistant Director at both a preschool and daycare. She later taught math and science to students in grades 6-7, and assisted with management of school operations as a Project Manager.
She currently serves as the Director of Scholar Support at a charter school in the Capital Region, providing academic assistance and compliance oversight for students with disabilities. Her journey in education has always been driven by her passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families. On a personal note, Jessica lives with her husband and two year old who brings so much joy and laughter to her life.
Interested in joining us?
The Board Treasurer supports financial oversight, compliance, and strategic planning for the charter school, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. The Treasurer works closely with the Board of Trustees, school leadership, and external auditors to maintain the school’s financial health.
Danisha Florentino
Trustee
Danisha Feliz holds a Master’s in Childhood Education (1-6) from City College of New York and a Bachelor’s in Human Development from Binghamton University. A former Montessori student herself, she is now a nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate with expertise in program development and early childhood education.
As Founding Director of Programs at the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC), she has led STEM initiatives and exceeded the programs goals. Previously, she oversaw program growth and policy development in early childhood education at DWDC’s Office of Head Start and Office of Children and Family Services.
A certified parenting facilitator, Danisha also serves on the Healthy Families Washington Heights Advisory Board and is an HLI Class of 2023 alum. As a General Board Member for Wildflower Upstate NY, she brings expertise in policy, program evaluation, and nonprofit management to support child-centered education. When not working, Danisha enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Asma
Yasin
Trustee
Board Member
Board Role
Board Member
Board Role
Danisha Florentino
Trustee
Danisha Feliz holds a Master’s in Childhood Education (1-6) from City College of New York and a Bachelor’s in Human Development from Binghamton University. A former Montessori student herself, she is now a nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate with expertise in program development and early childhood education.
As Founding Director of Programs at the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC), she has led STEM initiatives and exceeded the programs goals. Previously, she oversaw program growth and policy development in early childhood education at DWDC’s Office of Head Start and Office of Children and Family Services.
A certified parenting facilitator, Danisha also serves on the Healthy Families Washington Heights Advisory Board and is an HLI Class of 2023 alum. As a General Board Member for Wildflower Upstate NY, she brings expertise in policy, program evaluation, and nonprofit management to support child-centered education. When not working, Danisha enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Asma
Yasin
Trustee
Board Member
Board Role
Board Member
Board Role
Danisha Feliz
Trustee
Danisha Feliz holds a Master’s in Childhood Education (1-6) from City College of New York and a Bachelor’s in Human Development from Binghamton University. A former Montessori student herself, she is now a nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate with expertise in program development and early childhood education.
As Founding Director of Programs at the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC), she has led STEM initiatives and exceeded the programs goals. Previously, she oversaw program growth and policy development in early childhood education at DWDC’s Office of Head Start and Office of Children and Family Services.
A certified parenting facilitator, Danisha also serves on the Healthy Families Washington Heights Advisory Board and is an HLI Class of 2023 alum. As a General Board Member for Wildflower Upstate NY, she brings expertise in policy, program evaluation, and nonprofit management to support child-centered education. When not working, Danisha enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Asma
Yasin
Trustee
Asma Yasin holds a BA in Political Science and Economics and an MS in Education. She is a licensed ENL instructor with teaching and administrative experience in the Middle East and the U.S. She has experience teaching students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Before moving to the U.S., she taught English as a second language in Egypt and Sudan, later becoming a university instructor and administrator at a private language institute. She also led a Newcomer project for SIFE refugee students at SUNY’s Haggerty Language Program. Later, she worked with students with autism before serving as an ENL instructor in elementary and middle schools.
Asma is now embracing what she says is her most rewarding challenge yet: full-time motherhood to her one year old daughter, enjoying every (sleepless) moment.
Laura
Dillon
Trustee
Laura Dillon holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, a master's degree in Special Education from Hunter College, and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. Upon graduating from law school, Laura worked in the child welfare and juvenile justice field before beginning her career in education through the New York City Teaching Fellows. After several years as a Special Education teacher, Laura moved into school leadership, as a founding team member of a Bronx charter school, where she developed and managed all Special Education, English as a New Language, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support programming, including curriculum development, compliance, and instructional coaching.
Currently, Laura works as a Senior Advisor at New York City Public Schools, practicing Special Education law. Laura lives in Manhattan and enjoys spending weekends on Long Island.
Megan Rabbitt
Trustee
Megan Rabbitt holds a BS in Criminal Justice and has spent over a decade working in community-centered leadership roles across nonprofit and public-sector systems. Her career has focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting vulnerable populations, and building programs that respond thoughtfully to community needs.
She currently serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at ReloShare, where she leads national and statewide engagement efforts, collaborates across teams to translate data insights into action, and represents the organization through public speaking and policy advocacy. Throughout her career, Megan has overseen program evaluation, grant compliance, and cross-sector collaboration, always centering people, partnerships, and meaningful impact.
A mom of two, Megan believes strongly in education models that nurture independence, curiosity, and respect for each child’s individuality. Outside of work, she finds joy in creative projects, spoiling her pups, and spending time with her family, especially when it involves fresh air and a little adventure.
Kelly
Kline
Trustee
Kelly Kline earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at New Paltz and her law degree from Albany Law School. She is admitted to practice in New York as well as several federal courts and is an active member of multiple professional legal organizations.
Professionally, Kelly is a partner at her law firm where she focuses on insurance defense, including medical malpractice and general liability matters. As part of her practice, she also represents school districts in general liability and civil rights matters. Working closely with schools provides her with a unique perspective and experience that she brings to her role as a board member.
Kelly is honored to serve on the board of the Wildflower Update New York Charter School. Her connection to Montessori education is deeply personal. She began her own educational journey in a Montessori program as a child and credits the experience with fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
As the parent of a young child, Kelly hopes to provide her child with the same strong educational foundation she experienced while also supporting greater access to high quality Montessori education for children and families in her community.
Megan
Seiter
Trustee
Megan Seiter is a certified Special Educator and Executive Function (EF) specialist with a deep commitment to child-centered, inclusive learning environments. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Misericordia University and her Master of Science in Education from The College of Saint Rose. Her work is rooted in the belief that children thrive when they are given purposeful independence, thoughtfully prepared environments, and explicit support in developing self-regulation and flexible thinking.
Drawing from executive function research and classroom experience across early childhood and elementary settings, Megan partners with educators to integrate EF skill development into daily routines, hands-on learning experiences, and collaborative exploration. She supports teachers in creating environments that foster concentration, intrinsic motivation, and self-directed problem solving—core principles aligned with Montessori philosophy.
As the founder of Elevate Kids, Megan works alongside schools and families to design proactive systems that strengthen independence, organization, working memory, and emotional regulation. She is deeply committed to creating inclusive, strengths-based learning environments where every child can access the tools and strategies needed to thrive. Her approach emphasizes that when executive function skills are intentionally taught and supported, students build not only academic competence but confidence and self-advocacy.
Megan grew up in South Jersey and moved to New York’s Capital Region 14 years ago. She currently resides with her husband, son, and daughter. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, running, practicing yoga, and reading.
Courtney Murphy
Non-voting Trustee
Courtney Murphy earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Manhattanville College. Later, while working as a substitute teacher in Ballston Spa and around the Capital Region, she earned a Masters in Special Education through Walden University. A lifelong learner, she continued her education at Relay Graduate School of Education while working as a teacher in New York City, earning an advanced certificate in special education.
Courtney is a NYS Certified Teacher with credentials in both Visual Arts (k-12) and Students with Disabilities (all grades). Of her 15 years working in education, the majority of her time was spent as a special education teacher in Harlem. After this, she became an instructional coach and later assistant principal at a charter school in Albany, NY.
As Founder and Executive Director, Courtney participates as a non-voting, ex officio member of the Board and is engaged in all deliberative processes under the school’s advice-based governance framework.
This structure ensures informed decision-making through operational transparency while maintaining the Board’s independent oversight and fiduciary accountability.
Claudia Diliberto
Non-voting Trustee
Claudia Diliberto earned her Bachelor of Law and Political Science Degree from College San Martin de Porres. She later earned her AMI Montessori Primary Diploma from Montessori Training Center Northeast in Bloomfield, CT.
When she had her oldest son, it led her to seek an approach that honored his rhythm and supported his independence. Applying Montessori principles with him, and later with her younger son, transformed the way she understood children. Watching both of her boys thrive through respect, consistency, and purposeful work inspired her to pursue AMI training and fully commit to this philosophy.
As a guide, she strives to create a calm, beautiful environment where children feel capable, respected, and eager to learn. She values collaboration with families and maintains open, warm communication.
As a Founding Teacher Leader, the inclusion of Claudia in Board deliberations reflects our school’s commitment to distributed leadership and authentic voice. By formally ensuring that those closest to teaching and learning are heard, the Board strengthens alignment between policy and practice, deepens transparency, and supports a culture of shared responsibility while maintaining clear fiduciary governance boundaries.