Leadership Team
Our administrators are deeply committed to the Montessori philosophy and to a place for it within public education.
Principal
Erika LaMar
Principal Erika believes there is power in having an education, particularly when it comes to educating the students in the Buffalo Public School district. As a lifelong resident of Western New York, she attended Buffalo Public Schools #89 (formerly Campus East) and the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts. She looks forward to helping to foster the academic success and well-being of every student by facilitating the development, communication, implementation, and evaluation of a shared vision of learning that reflects excellence and equity. Even in adversity, she strives to ensure that children receive the education they are entitled to.
Starting her career as a Teacher Aide in the Buffalo Public Schools in 2006, she has worked at School #43 (Lovejoy Discovery), School #99 (Stanley Makowski), and School #32 (Bennett Park Montessori Center). While working as an Aide, she received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from State University of New York College at Buffalo (Buffalo State College). She later earned two master's degrees: one in Curriculum & Instruction, and another in Educational Leadership—also from Buffalo State College. Erika taught eight years at the 9-12 level and one year at the 6-9 level before being Assistant Principal, and now Principal.
Erika and her husband have six adult children: five sons and one daughter. Outside of school, she enjoys participating in her church community. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her family as much as possible. This HUGE basketball and football fan is—hands down—a hometown devotee of the Buffalo Bills. To contact her, please email: elamar@buffaloschools.org.
Rene’ Cooley is excited to join Bennett Park Montessori Center #32 as an assistant principal. It is both an honor and a privilege for her to lead this dedicated group of learners. Rene’ is a lifelong resident of Western New York, and a graduate of Buffalo State College. She has attained two master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and in Educational Leadership from Medaille College and Canisius College, respectively. This is her twenty-second year as an educator with the Buffalo Public Schools. Beginning as an elementary education teacher, she taught second grade at Campus West in 2001. Her next opportunity was as a special education teacher, where she worked in special education 4 th and 5 th grade classrooms at BPS #57 Annex. Upon the closing of 57 Annex, she took on the title of a 5 th grade consultant teacher at Houghton Academy #69. The following year she went to Southside Elementary #93 where she was a special education teacher for the next 18 years. Her administrative experience includes working in the title of acting assistant principal at both Southside Elementary School #93 and Early Childhood Center #17 for the 2018-2019 school year. Recently she was promoted to the position of assistant principal at Bennett Park Montessori Center #32. Rene’ feels strongly that great results can be achieved when educators strive to enhance the development of the whole child. She believes that through active engagement of each child’s innate curiosity and love for learning, independence and self-reliance will occur. Rene’ has remained consistent in the application of these guiding commitments throughout her career. Rene’ is a wife and a mother of three intelligent, energetic, and amazing children all of whom began their educational journey in the Buffalo Public School District. Outside of school, she enjoys doing projects around the house, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Rene’ can be contacted at rcooley@buffaloschools.org
I have been an educator for 25 years, working with ENL students in grades K-12. I live in Clarence with Pat, my husband of 30 years and have two sons. Zackary is 26, in the army, stationed in Tacoma, WA, and married to a wonderful woman named Cait. Jacob is 23, an artist, and lives with his partner Jesse in Beckett, Mass. In my free time, I love listening to live music and taking little weekend trips with my husband.
Mark Przybysz is grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, parents and community members of Bennett Park Montessori Center #32 as their assistant principal. As a lifelong resident of Western New York, Mark grew up in Buffalo and received his bachelor's degree in 7-12 Mathematics from Canisius College. He started his teaching career in 2001 and coached football, wrestling, and baseball. Mark received two master's degrees, one in Educational Computing from Buffalo State College and the other in Educational Leadership from Canisius College. After 12 years of successful teaching, he started his administrative career in 2013.
With over two decades of experience in the education field, Mark’s belief is that a school should have a comfortable, supportive, safe, and structured atmosphere where students enjoy learning and can participate with confidence. This goes beyond just a child’s academic life to the whole child, into their physical, emotional, and social development where learning to treat others with respect is just as valuable as passing their State Assessments. Where all staff are committed to providing a quality education to empower our students for lifelong success beyond our walls to any of their future endeavors. Mark’s philosophy is that none of us are passengers, we are all members of a crew that are working towards a common goal. Together we are stronger and are able to provide the very best educational experience for all our students.
Mark can be contacted at meprzybysz@buffaloschools.org.