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Meet Our Educators
As we prepare for our opening, we are excited to introduce the educators and school leaders who make up the Bridgton School House team.
David Hursty
Interim Head of School
David brings more than 40 years of experience in education and school leadership. Over the course of his career, he has served as a teacher, administrator, and Head of School at independent schools across the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. Especially relevant to Bridgton School House, David spent three years serving as Head of School at a Montessori school in Massachusetts.
His expertise includes curriculum development, faculty mentorship, admissions, accreditation, strategic planning, and school operations. Known for his thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to students, educators, and families, David has dedicated his career to helping schools cultivate strong, thriving educational communities.
As Interim Head of School, David is helping to guide the development and launch of Bridgton School House while supporting the creation of a nurturing, child-centered learning environment for students and families.
Debby DeSimio
Lead Educator, Lower Elementary (Ages 6–9)
Debby is a Montessori-certified educator with more than two decades of classroom experience, primarily in Lower Elementary education. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University and trained through the Houston Montessori Center, she is passionate about creating a learning environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.
Debby believes that a love of learning begins with meaningful relationships and a thoughtfully prepared classroom. Throughout her career, she has been committed to meeting each child where they are, fostering independence, confidence, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to others.
Beyond the classroom, Debby has led numerous community service initiatives, connecting students with opportunities to serve their local communities through projects supporting families, food banks, animal shelters, and environmental stewardship.
Alix Breiling
Lead Educator, Primary (Ages 3–6)
Alix graduated from Endicott College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and completed Montessori training through the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Colorado. She is a certified Maine teacher with more than 10 years of teaching experience in Montessori schools, traditional public schools, and special education. Her background also includes training in Orton-Gillingham phonics and literacy and Foundations of Reading, as well as certification in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). She is also a certified children’s yoga teacher through ChildLight Yoga.For the past five years, Alix has provided individualized tutoring and educational support to children and families, both in person and remotely. Through this work, she has especially valued the individual connections she has built with students and their families and has seen firsthand the difference that individualized support can make. Alix believes that strong connections and confidence are at the root of learning. Her approach is to meet children where they are, build on their individual strengths, and give them the guidance and support they need to grow in their learning. She brings that same approach, along with her experience and love of teaching, to the Primary classroom at Bridgton School House.
Jennifer Marsinelli
Primary Program Director & Assistant Educator (Ages 3–6)
Jennifer brings experience in Montessori education, early childhood development, and educational leadership. During her time at Montessori School of Camden in South Carolina, she served as both Toddler Director and Program Level Facilitator, supporting children, families, educators, and school leadership in fostering a collaborative and child-centered learning environment.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Health with an emphasis in Childhood and Adolescent Disorders from Grand Canyon University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is currently pursuing her Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
As Primary Program Director & Assistant Educator, Jennifer will work alongside the Lead Educator to support children during these important early years of development. She will also serve as Director for the licensed Primary Program. As both an educator and mother of three children who attended Montessori schools, she has a deep appreciation for Montessori education and the importance of fostering independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Brittney Leighton
Office Administrator
Brittney Leighton earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Vermont and continued her studies in Early Childhood Education at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Before joining Bridgton School House, Brittney spent several years working directly with children from infancy through kindergarten. Her experience includes teaching kindergarten, preschool, pre-K, toddlers, and infants, giving her a strong understanding of children at different stages of early development.
Brittney brings that classroom experience to her role as Office Administrator, along with a strong background in organization, communication, and working closely with children and families. Her warm and approachable nature helps create a welcoming environment for families from the moment they walk through the door.
At Bridgton School House, Brittney helps keep the day-to-day operations of the school running smoothly while serving as a familiar point of contact for our families.