About Us
Our school is more than just a community for your child — The Children’s House is a community of adults raising their children together in the city and sharing in that journey.
An Environment for Both You and Your Child
At the heart of our school is a vibrant, welcoming caregiver community. Throughout the year, parents become a large part of our classrooms whether it's coming in to share a family tradition, read a favorite book, or participate in a cultural celebration. By sharing in the classroom experience, parents and caregivers help bring the world to the children in meaningful and joyful ways.
Beyond the classroom, we foster strong connections through regular parent socials, community events, and gatherings that create space for conversation, laughter, and mutual support.
"It is interesting to notice that where life is simple and natural and where the children participate in the adult's life, they are calm and happy"
"The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind."
"Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future"
- Dr. Maria Montessori
Mary D’Anella
Head of School
Mary D’Anella (she/her), was born and raised in South Philadelphia and was an early proponent of the charter school movement. Mary lead 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. Mary has been an advocate for Montessori preschool education since her own children benefited from the Montessori methods. In her life before becoming a mother of four, Mary was a photojournalist in Philadelphia. Her work appeared in both local and national publications. She was also an adjunct professor of Photojournalism at Temple University.
The sweetest moments at school happen for Mary slowly over the years. “For some children this is their first time in a childcare setting other than home. It is an important step in the child’s life. We see them enter on the first day sometimes tentative, and by the time the children leave us after kindergarten, they are standing tall having come into their own as citizens of the world.
Isabella D’Anella-Mercanti
Director of Education
Isabella D'Anella-Mercanti (she/her) holds teaching certifications in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Isabella completed her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori Credential from Chestnut Hill College. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a dual minor in Urban and Childhood Studies from Rutgers University - Camden.
Isabella holds a Pennsylvania Teaching Pre-K to 4th grade certification, and a Pennsylvania Certification in English, grades 6th to 12th. As a young child, Isabella attended Montessori preschool in Philadelphia.
Isabella’s most rewarding moments in the classroom happen when the child begins to advocate for themselves. “At the start, children ask an adult for help. But after some time, you’ll see the child begin to negotiate situations - without an adult - for themselves and by themselves. This is when they begin to see themselves as powerful and this is the best part!”
Anna Simons
Primary Guide
Anna Simons (she/her) is a lifelong Philadelphian.
She earned her Bachelor’s & Master's in Early Childhood Education from Temple University. Anna 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 supporting their children’s musical growth. Anna 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 grew up speaking primarily German in her home and enjoys bringing her dual language learning into the classroom.
The most rewarding moments in the classroom happen for Anna when she sees a child do a work by themselves. “When the child completes the work and has that smile of, “I did it” “I now understand it.” That would be the biggest one for me.”
Alanna Conover
Toddler Guide
Alanna Conover (she/her) has been a member of The Children’s House team since our inaugural year in 2017. Alanna worked as an afternoon assistant in both our primary and toddler programs before becoming a full-time assistant in the toddler program. Alanna then went on to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori Teaching Certification from Chestnut Hill College. Alanna holds and Infant/Toddler Montessori Credential. Alanna is now working towards a Master’s Degree in Psychology. Alanna has a gentle and compassionate connection with those children in her care.
The most rewarding moments in the classroom happen for Alanna when she sees a child master a work and feel like they are ready to move onto something harder and challenge themselves. “When I don’t see a work leaving the shelf as often as usual, I know the children feel confident in that work. They have mastered the skill in specific work and they are ready to build off that foundation.”
Colette Welsh
Primary Guide
Colette Welsh (she/her) was granted her Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Chestnut Hill College. She began her Montessori teaching career at Montessori Children’s Academy in Chatham, NJ. She is a Montclair State University graduate 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. 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.
The most rewarding moments in the classroom happen for Colette when she sees an older child spontaneously become the teacher for a younger peer. “Seeing a lesson that I originally gave being graciously executed in detail as the observer is very rewarding.”
Gianna Scalia
Toddler Guide
Gianna Scalia (she/her) holds an American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Credential from Chestnut Hill College. She began her career at The Children’s House as a toddler assistant before falling in love with the pedagogy and enrolling in a credential program. Outside the Children’s House, Gianna worked in various camp and early childhood settings throughout Philadelphia for children from infancy through school-age.
The most rewarding moments in the classroom happen for Gianna when the older children in the environment begin to help the younger friends. “At some point in the year, the adults can step back and observe the older students acting as guides - the kids can handle it. When the children take off their shoes in the morning, a younger friend may have trouble with the velcro. The older child will see them struggling or hear them grunting, and they will help with their shoes or go further and wave down an adult to say, “I need help.”
Qixuan Liu
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 that 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."
The most rewarding moments in the classroom happen for Qixuan when a child overcomes a challenge. “Some children feel frustrated when they meet an obstacle. They want to give up or say, “I don't want to do it anymore.” A teacher may sit and ask them to stick with it, and eventually, the child will do it themselves. The other day a student had a three-layer puzzle and she finished the first two layers beautifully - the third layer was tricky. She came up to me and told me she didn’t want to finish and I told her I believed in her. She then spent maybe 20 minutes, and eventually, she got it and was so proud. It is great seeing her achieve that by herself. Sometimes they just need a little nudge.”