By: Maureen Clifford, Executive Director, NOVA Montessori Maria Montessori described human development as a series of Four Planes: Infancy: 0-6 Childhood: 6-12 Adolescence: 12-18 Maturity: 18-24 She specifically saw... Continue Reading »
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Before and After School Coordinator & PE Teacher
Ms. Peggy was born in New York City and grew up in Queens. She is both a runner and a softball player, having played professionally for the New York Cheetahs. She also played for her college team while majoring in Physical Education.
At the start of her career, Ms. Peggy taught for Millbrook Central School District in New York, but she moved to the DC Metro area over twenty years ago and began working at a Montessori School as a PE Teacher. Ms. Peggy joined The Springs just about one month ago! She is excited to bring PE to all age groups at The Springs!
She remains an avid runner, knitter, and voracious reader when she’s not teaching at our school! Ms. Peggy has three adult sons and five grandchildren who know her as Gigi.
Ms. Peggy is at the front desk during aftercare wishing everyone a great evening!
Ms. Diana was born and raised in Albania! She came to the states as an au pair in 2007 for a family of four and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from George Mason simultaneously. Always loving children, Ms. Diana began in the Montessori world as a Children’s House Assistant in 2013 and eventually became an Assistant Head of School for another Montessori School in 2018. Ms. Diana is pursuing her Children’s House Montessori training from the Prepared Montessorian.
Ms. Diana enjoys travel, sports, music, and dancing in her free time and is a mom to her daughter, Jora.
Ms. Ayla was born in Turkey and came to the states at four years old. Settling in New Jersey upon arriving in the states, Ms. Ayla was a stay-at-home mom of four before moving to Virginia and joining a local Montessori school three years ago. Ms. Ayla has been with The Springs since July and loves saying hi to families, operating the phones, and making everyone feel welcome at the front door.
When Ms. Ayla is not greeting and organizing, she enjoys travel, shopping, walks and spending time with her three daughters and one son.
Director of Enrollment and Parent Outreach
Ms. Elisa is originally from Italy and came to the US for the first time in 2019 as an au pair. Before embarking on this journey, she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation from the University of Padova and got a CELTA certificate from Cambridge University. She worked in customer service and communications for almost three years and has a certification in event planning and marketing. She loves languages and speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and French.
Ms. Elisa has always loved children and used to lead children’s church programs in her hometown. She joined The Springs’ staff in January 2022 and manages the admission process, social media presence, and planning of school-wide events.
Lead Teacher
Ms. Heba Almostafa is originally from Syria. She is a mother of three children. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic Language and Literature and an Early Childhood Certificate (MACTE) from The Age of Montessori in Montana. Being an inspiration and part of the children’s life is her aim. She was a public school teacher before discovering the Montessori Method in 2017 and believing in it.
Lead Teacher
I completed the AMI Montessori Assistance to Infancy training in 2017 and am excited to join The Springs team. I also have a degree in Accounting.
I enjoy traveling, watching movies, exercising, and spending time with my two children in my free time.
Ms. NikkiLead Teacher
Ms. Nikki joined THE SPRINGS in 2016 as an Infant House Assistant Teacher. She then moved to the Toddlers House the following year. She knew she was passionate about Montessori and wanted to be a Lead Teacher at The Springs. Ms.Nikki completed her AMS certification in 2020 and is now embarking on a new challenge as the Toddler House Lead Teacher.
Ms.Nikki has two children of her own who have also attended THE SPRINGS.
Ms.Nikki is excited to welcome each child as her own and is always willing to learn more every day.
Lead Teacher
I am Ms. Beth, and I joined The Springs in 2014. I hold an AMI diploma from the Montessori Education Center of Arizona and a BS in Sociology from Presbyterian College. I started at a Montessori school in NC.
As a Montessori teacher, I enjoy seeing the children gain skills that will help them in life and carry over into their future. I enjoy teaching in all classroom areas, but the Sensorial area resonates with me, and I hope with the children too.
I enjoy reading, playing tennis, fishing, and spending time with my family.
Lead Teacher
My name is Deepa Sinha, and if you’ve been around the schools with children in the primary class, you may know me as Ms. Deepa. My teaching journey started when I started tutoring at the age of sixteen and soon realized that teaching was not only my work but my passion. I was introduced to Montessori when one of my kids entered the school, and I just fell in love with its philosophy.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, an American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood Credential, AMS in Lower Elementary, and currently finishing up my AMS in Upper Elementary through CGMS. Additionally, I have extensive experience working as a behavior therapist for children with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. I have been in the field of Montessori for the past 20 years and as a lead teacher for the last 16 years. I am starting my 6th year at THE SPRINGS. After four years of teaching Early Children House, I embarked on my new journey at THE SPRINGS as an Elementary Lead Teacher.
When I am not working at school, I am busy entertaining my huge extended family and friends with my love of cooking, working out, or hanging around with my family.
Lead Teacher
Ms. Mary hails from India, a country with a strong Montessori heritage, and has almost 20 years of teaching experience in the US. She has been a Montessori Infant Toddler teacher for nine years. She began her Montessori Infant Toddler career at The Boyd School. She then joined the Montessori School of Chantilly, where she helped start and grow their Infant Toddler program. Chantilly tapped her again to start a second Infant Toddler program upon opening their second school, Montessori School of Gainesville. She has a wealth of experience with the Toddler age group. Ms. Mary joined THE SPRINGS in September 2014 to launch our new Infant-Toddler Program.
Ms. Mary lives with her family in Chantilly. She completed her Montessori Infant and Toddler Certification at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in North Carolina.
Lead Teacher
My first introduction to Montessori was in 2001, when I received my Montessori teaching credential from the Toronto Montessori Institute. I’ve continued to grow in my appreciation for teaching in the Montessori way and completed my Master’s Degree in Montessori Education from St. Catherine University in 2018. Language is my passion, and I enjoy opening up children’s curiosity through the perfectly sequenced language curriculum Dr. Montessori created.
I hope to continually inspire children to reach their potential by tapping into their unique strengths and interests, leading and inspiring future educators through my dedication to the practice of teaching. I enjoy traveling, listening to music, and eating delicious food. I am an aspiring writer and am working on finishing my novel in my free time.
Lead Teacher
Ms. Bianca came to us from Cardinal Montessori in Woodbridge. She was a Lead Lower Elementary Teacher for four years but has been at Cardinal Montessori for the past 15 years. Ms. Bianca has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a focus in Education and Family Studies from the University of Mary Washington. Ms. Bianca received her Lower Elementary Certification from The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.
Lead Teacher
Lead Teacher
Hi, I am Ms. Stephanie, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2022-23 school year in Classroom 2. It is delightful to have all of your toddlers with us. A bit about my work experience and education: I began working at a small Christian school as a floater working with infants through sixth graders after many years of babysitting. I learned a lot, but learning about and then coming to experience the Montessori Method was a welcome change. I have my Infant and Toddler Montessori Credential, and this will be my ninth school year with The Springs. I will also complete my early childhood education associate’s degree this year.
Why I like working with toddlers: I love watching the children’s personality development and their language skills (they say some pretty silly things).
Outside work, I love being outdoors, relaxing, and gardening. I also spend a lot of time walking my two dogs.
Lead Teacher
Ms. Savannah has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. In addition, she has her American Montessori International (AMI) Primary credential from the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas, Texas. From infancy to 5th grade, Ms. Savannah was a Montessori child at Montessori of Roseborough, where she grew up in Mount Dora, Florida. Before solidifying her passion for Montessori pedagogy, Ms. Savannah worked as a toddler assistant in Nashville, Tennessee. She will obtain her Master’s in Education with a concentration in Montessori Education from the University of Hartford this Fall.
Ms. Savannah is beyond excited about what this new year at The Springs has in store for her!
Lead Teacher
Ms. Lani is originally from the Philippines. She has been living in DC & NOVA for 29 years. She has two children; both are Montessori students. Before Montessori, she received her BA at the University of Delaware, majoring in Foreign Language & Literature with a minor in Latin American Studies. She took a year off and taught English in Madrid, Spain. She then received her Masters at American University in International Education with a focus in Study Abroad Education. Her career took a different turn, and she was introduced to Montessori by a relative of hers. She received her Primary Certificate at The Barrie Institute in Silver Spring, MD. She loved it and was captivated by the entire method and philosophy. “The best decision I’ve ever made next to marrying my husband!”
She has been a Primary teacher for ten years, and after the pandemic, it was time for her to go back into the classroom and continue her passion for guiding and teaching the Primary age group. While not teaching, she spends time with her husband and two children, playing outside, eating out, and enjoying her family.