A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Mika

Lead Teacher

Ms. Mika comes to us with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for Montessori education. She earned her Early Childhood Credential from the American Montessori Society at the Northern Virginia Montessori Institute. Having started her journey with Montessori during her teen years, Ms. Mika has accumulated over ten years of experience in the field, with six of those years serving as a Lead Teacher

Her love for young children, coupled with her dedication to the Montessori philosophy, makes Ms. Mika an excellent addition to our team. In addition to her educational background, Ms. Mika is passionate about zoology, art, and music. She dedicates her free time to studying arthropods, particularly insects.

Ms. Brianna

Lead Teacher

For the past three years, Ms. Brianna has led toddler classrooms and has found this work to be deeply rewarding. The Montessori pedagogy and beliefs align closely with her teaching mission; to show children they are capable and to give knowledge that will last a lifetime. With a 0-3 Montessori certification and 8-plus years of experience working with children, she is so excited to continue educating young minds. In her free time, Ms. Bri enjoys reading, baking, drawing, and, most of all, making memories with her daughter, who will begin attending The Springs this summer.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Miko

Lead Teacher

Hailing originally from China, Ms. Miko’s journey led her to the United States in 2007 to pursue her studies in accounting at the University of Virginia. Her true passion has always been working with children. For several years, she dedicated herself to serving as a Mandarin interpreter, enriching the lives of others through language and culture. She began her Montessori journey in 2017 as an Infant Montessori Assistant and completed her Infant and Toddler certification in 2020. She has served as a lead Toddler Teacher for the last three years. Beyond her dedication to education, Ms. Miko finds fulfillment in her involvement with her church community. In her free time, she indulges in baking, skillfully crafting delicious creations that bring joy and warmth to those around her.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Elizabeth

Lead Teacher

Meet Ms. Elizabeth McCawley, our new Toddler Teacher in Classroom 2! Ms. Elizabeth hails from Barranquilla, Columbia, and has a Technical Degree in Merchandise Marketing from the Institute Tecnicor and has worked in retail for several years. However, her true passion has always remained with children and she loves working with toddlers because each day brings something new. She has been a Montessori Toddler Teacher for two years and has four years of experience working in a Montessori Classroom, both Children’s House and Toddler House. Ms. Elizabeth completed her 0-3 Montessori Diploma from the Prepared Montessorian and is thrilled to be joining The Springs! In her free time, she loves going out dancing, hiking, trying new foods, and visiting museums.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Amira

Lead Teacher

Bio coming soon…

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Peggy

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!

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Mrs. Diana Glaukaj

Assistant Head of School

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Ayla Beg

Office Manager

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Elisa Zago

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Sousan

Lead Teacher

My name is Sousan Moradi. I am originally from Iran. I have two adult children. I am also a lead guide in the Infant House classroom. I have been in a Montessori environment for over 17 years.

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Nikki

Lead 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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Beth

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Deepa

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Mary

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Nadine

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Bianca

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.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Fernanda

Lead Teacher

Ms. Fernanda moved to VA from Mexico in 2015, where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences. She started at THE SPRINGS as an Assistant Teacher in February of 2016. She completed her Infant/Toddler Certification at MMI (Montgomery Montessori Institute) in Maryland.
Ms. Fernanda has two children. They both attend THE SPRINGS, one in the Children’s House and one in the Toddler’s House.

In her free time, Ms. Fernanda likes to go to the park and enjoy watching movies with her family.

A Montessori Survival Guide to the Holidays

Ms. Savannah

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!