Nell Franchek received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from U.Mass Amherst with a concentration in diversity, social justice, and cultural awareness. Nell received her Montessori Early Childhood certification from Northeast Montessori Institute, and is Lead Teacher certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Nell attended Montessori schools herself from ages four to nine before transitioning to traditional public school. The foundational skills she developed from her Montessori experiences— community, empathy, curiosity, passion, problem solving and communication— have shaped her as a learner and citizen. She hopes to foster an environment where children develop these characteristics organically and at their own pace. 

Before joining the Birch Tree Montessori family, Nell worked as a kindergarten teacher at a local public Montessori Charter School. Nell has also worked as an art teacher in many capacities, teaching both adults at a craft center in Amherst and children ages six to fourteen at a local summer arts camp. Nell’s passion lies in honoring each individual child and cultivating an environment where each child feels seen and reflected in the materials. In her free time, Nell loves spending time with her partner James and cat Zelda, crocheting and creating mixed media art!