Faculty
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Administration
Amy Shen
Head of School
Joined: 2026
M.Ed, Columbia University (2017)
MAT, School of International Training (2007)
B.A., Asian Studies Carleton College (2002)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Assistant Certificate, Montessori Center of Minnesota (2008)
Janice Chapman
Assistant Head of School, Lower School Director
Joined: 1993
M.Ed, Loyola College in Maryland (2011)
B.S., Psychology, Longwood University (2002)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Training (1998)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Credential, Washington Montessori Institute (2010)
Becky Harris
Director of Business Operations
Joined: 2000
B.A. Business Administration, Averett University (2010)
Sarah Reedy
Director of Community Engagement
Joined: 2022
B.A. History, Southern Illinois University (1998)
Mary Reitsma
Director of Camps and Afterschool Programs
Joined: 2002
B.A. Secondary Education, Calvin College (1995)
Austin Robey
Director of Enrollment
Joined: 2013
M.Ed, Higher Education Administration, James Madison University (2008)
B.A. Psychology, James Madison University (2006)
Thérèse Benzinger
Registrar
Joined: 1996
B.B.A, Averett University (2013)
A.S., Aquinas College (1975)
Toddler
Susan Kennedy
Toddler 1 Guide
Joined: 2009
B.B.A. UNC Chapel Hill (1983)
Montessori Infant and Toddler Credential, NC Center for Montessori Teacher Education (1996)
Parent Coach Certificate, Seattle Pacific University (2011)
Sue Alston
Toddler 2 Guide
Joined: 2001
B.S. Chemistry and Business Studies, Salford University (1983)
Montessori 0-3 Infants and Toddlers Credential, MECA Seton Chicago (1999)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Credential, MECA Seton Chicago (2001)
Laura Haverkamp
Toddler 2 Assistant
Joined: 2023
B.A. Drama, Randolph Macon College (1997)
Gabi Clements
Toddler 3 Guide
Joined: 2022
Montessori Associate Infant and Toddler Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies, (2024)
Children's House
Karla Gonzalez
CH1 Turtle Guide
Joined: 2017
B.A. Dance, Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla (2013)
A.A. Early Childhood Development, Raritan Valley Community College (2015)
Montessori Early Childhood Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (2022)
Ailish McGaughey
CH1 Turtle Assistant
Joined: 2022
B.A. Sociology, University of Mary Washington (2020)
Montessori Early Childhood Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (ant. 2027)
Shawn Carey
CH2 Dolphin Guide
Joined: 2001
M.Ed, University of Virginia (2003)
B.S., Special Education, Virginia Commonwealth University (1988)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Certificate, Montessori Training Center of New England (2008)
Sofia Alarcon Yepez
CH2 Dolphin Assistant
Joined: 2024
B.A. Gastronomy Administration, Universidad Tenologica Equinoccial (2009)
Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Certificate (2025)
Kyra Miller
CH3 Hummingbird Guide
Joined: 2020
B.A. Social Work, James Madison University (2018)
Montessori Early Childhood Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (2024)
Amber Boyd
CH3 Hummingbird Assistant
Joined: 2017
B.S. Human Development, Virginia Tech (2006)
Kaitlin Pozzo
CH4 Cardinal Guide
Joined: 2019
M.A. Art Education, University of Florida (2014)
B.A. Art History/ Italian, University of Virginia (2008)
Montessori Early Childhood Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (2023)
Gladness Msumanje
CH4 Cardinal Assistant
Joined: 2021
A.A. Early Childhood Education, Piedmont Virginia Community College (2022)
Montessori Beginnings Overview of the Infant-Toddler Level (2023)
Elementary
Marie Medonis
Lower Elementary 1 Guide
Joined: 2026
B.S. General Studies, Western Michigan University (2008)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Credential, Duhovka Montessori Teacher Education Program (2022)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Credential, Adrian Dominican Teacher Education Institute (2005)
Marie-Claire Mandolia
Lower Elementary 1 Assistant
Joined: 2026
M.A. Teaching Biological Sciences, Miami University of Ohio (2022)
B.A. Geography & French, University of Mary Washington (2013)
Elaina Angle
Lower Elementary 2 Guide
Joined: 2023
B.A. Human Services, Queens University of Charlotte (2023)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Certificate, Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (ant. 2027)
Heather Donaldson Cormons
Montessori Instructional Coach
Joined: 2000
M.Ed Loyola University Maryland (2001)
B.A. Psychology, Haverford College (1995)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Credential, Washington Montessori Institute (2000)
Brittney West
Upper Elementary Guide
Joined: 2016
B.A. Environmental Studies, Warren Wilson College (2012)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Credential, Montessori Training Center of Minnesota (2018)
Lisa Wolfe
Upper Elementary Guide
Joined: 2021
M.A. Education, Saint Catherine University (2021)
B.A. Sociology, UNC Asheville (2010)
Montessori 6-12 Elementary Credential, Montessori Training Center of Minnesota (2018)
Lea Barrett
Upper Elementary Assistant
Joined: 2019
A.S. General Studies, Piedmont Virginia Community College (2025)
Montessori Associate Infant and Toddler Credential, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (ant. 2027)
Marley Watson
Upper Elementary Assistant
Joined: 2026
B.A. Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University (2026)
Middle School
Britt Gendell
Middle School Coordinator
Joined: 2010
M.Ed. Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, University of Virginia (2026)
B.S. Geographic Science, James Madison University (2005)
Montessori 12-18 Adolescent Credential, North American Montessori Teachers Association (2013) & Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program (2022)
Dan Gulde
Middle School Guide
Joined: 2025
B.A. Sociology and Anthropology, Warren Wilson College (2019)
Introduction to Secondary Montessori Certificate, Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program (2025)
Montessori 12-18 Adolescent Credential, Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (ant. 2027)
Olivia Arnold
Middle School Science Teacher, Assistant
Joined: 2026
B.S. Animal Ecology, Iowa State University (2022)
Introduction to Secondary Montessori Certificate, Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program (2026)
Student Support
Cara Stuart
School Counselor
Joined: 2025
B.A. Theater, Berea College (2018)
Connor O’Brien
Learning Resource Instructor
Joined: 2023
B.A. Media Studies, German Languages and Literature, UVA (2018)
George Logan
Learning Resource Instructor
Joined: 2006
M.Ed, Secondary Education, The College of William & Mary (1990)
B.A., Anthropology, The College of William and Mary (1985)
Montessori Elementary 6-12 Credential, Washington Montessori Institute (AMI) (2006)
Mary Walker
Learning Resource Instructor
Joined: 2022
M.Ed, Special Education, Mary Baldwin University
B.S. Anthropology, College of Charleston
Co-Curricular Subjects
Emily Allred
Ecology Guide
Joined: 2026
B.S. Biology, Environmental Science, Sweet Briar College (2026)
Heyward Boyce
PE Guide
Joined: 2024
B.A. Liberal Arts, Southern Illinois University (2018)
Maria Cantor
Spanish Guide
Joined: 2016
B.S. Psychology, Florida International University (2006)
Online Overview, Secondary Montessori Certificate, Cincinnati Montessori Secondary Teacher Education Program (2024)
Michael Donegan
Art Guide
Joined: 2026
B.A. Art, Studio & Graphic Design, Mary Baldwin University (2003)
Laura Leva
Music, Dance & Drama Guide
Joined: 2005
B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, Virginia Tech (2003)
Montessori 3-6 Primary Certificate, Northwest Montessori Institute (2007)
Orff-Schulwerk Level III Certificate (2015)
Hannah Matarazzo
Garden to Table Guide
Joined: 2019
A.O.S. Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America (2002)
Apprentice Certificate, Greenbriar Resort
Tom Weis
Technology Guide
Joined: 2022
M.Ed. Curriculum Instruction, UVA (1989)
B.S. Science Education, University of South Dakota (1983)
Skye Burkhart
Floater
Joined: 2023
Montessori 3-6 Primary Certificate, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies (ant. 2027)
After School Programs
Jenn Chadinha
Children's House After School
Joined: 2026
B.A. Hospitality and Tourism Management, Virginia Tech (2003)
Humaira Haidary
Children's House After School
Joined: 2026
Law Diploma, Kabul University
Administrative Certificate, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Hina Vyas
Children's House After School
Joined: 2021
M.A. Psychology, Gujarat University
Connor O’Brien
Elementary After School
Joined: 2023
B.A. Media Studies, German Languages and Literature, UVA (2018)
Dallas Wood
Elementary After School
Joined: 2026
B.S. Elementary Education, University of Virginia (2024)