Our Community
OUR PARENTS
We are a non-profit Parent Co-operative. As a Co-operative there are many ways for parents to engage with the school and support our professional staff. AMH Parents are obligated to complete 20 hours of service over the school year that may include serving on parent committees, participating on Maintenance Days, and providing special skills or sharing special interests.
OUR STAFF
Arlington Montessori House is an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognized school upholding the highest standards of Montessori education, at the heart of which is our understanding of the nature of the child. In true Montessori spirit, we are welcoming, inclusive and diverse. By involving our entire community - children, families and staff - we guide the children in self-discovery, helping instill in them respect, compassion and a desire to become responsible citizens of the world.
Each classroom is led by an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary trained Teacher who is assisted by Classroom Assistants.
3813 CLASSROOM
Leslie
Leslie’s Montessori journey began over 30 years ago when she saw how well her children blossomed in the primary classroom. Originally trained as an operating room nurse with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, she quickly realized a new calling. After doing her AMI primary training at Washington Montessori Institute, she began her career as a Primary Guide. She also earned a Master’s in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. She has remained in the classroom to experience the great daily satisfaction of watching young children develop. When not in the classroom, Leslie enjoys traveling, reading, handicrafts and spending time with her family.
Ramanika
Ramanika is from Sri Lanka. She has been working as an assistant teacher at Arlington Montessori House since 2019. Prior to joining AMH, she worked as a high school teacher in Sri Lanka for 15 years and as an assistant teacher at Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning for 1 year. Ramanika spent a good part of her life travelling to different countries accompanying her husband on his diplomatic assignments. She plays accordion and organ and loves to walk on trails during her leisure time. She is extremely enthusiastic about her work at AMH and is excited to play an important part in the children’s journey.
Catherine
Before starting at AMH, Catherine worked in a Montessori school for three years, where she fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. She has an associate degree in business administration and is currently finishing her CDA. Catherine’s family is from El Salvador, and she can read, write and speak Spanish fluently.
Aster
Aster was born and raised in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Her loving parents, who were farmers, made a great sacrifice to send her and her four brothers through high school. Aster is a spiritual person and spent time studying with monks in Ethiopia. She came to the United States in 2009 and she spent time working in assisted living facilities caring for the elderly. Aster enjoys reading, going on walks in nature, and traveling to historic places. She is a deeply compassionate person and loves working with children.
3809 CLASSROOM
Christine
Christine Mein has worked in the classroom as a Montessori Directress in Canada and in Colorado since 2009. She holds a degree from the University of Toronto (Philosophy and Languages) as well as diplomas from The Foundation for Montessori Education and from Humber College (Social Service Work). Christine was Montessori- educated for 8 years of her early childhood. More recently, she has been raising her son Louis Kai as a Montessori pre-schooler. Her main hobbies are playing sitar and reading. Christine also enjoys riding her bike and practicing her Spanish whenever she gets a chance.
Laterra
Laterra knows firsthand the value of a Montessori education, as she attended John Hanson Montessori in Maryland from kindergarten to eighth grade. She likes working at AMH because it is very family oriented. She is the youngest of three siblings. In her free time Laterra likes to shop, do her makeup, try new restaurants, and spend time with her family.
Lanikia
Lanikia was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to joining AMH, she worked as a behavior technician. One thing that she appreciates about Montessori is the individual teaching style. Outside of work Lanikia enjoys movies , doing hair , planting trees, and listening to music.
Liz
Liz was born and raised in Alexandria, Va. Her parents are originally from Central America. Liz is bilingual and can read and write in Spanish. She has worked in childcare as a daycare assistant and nanny for 4 years. She is currently enrolled in classes to complete her CDA. Liz is the youngest of five. Outside of work Liz enjoys taking trips and exploring new places, shopping, and spending time with her family.
ADMIN
Wendie
Wendie has extensive experience as Head of School, Assistant Head, Director of Education, Summer Camp Director, and as a primary and elementary teacher at Montessori Schools in the Greater Washington area. Wendie holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity Washington University. She holds a Montessori credential in Primary, Elementary, and Administration. Wendie is also a teacher trainer and consultant for the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Silver Spring, Md.
Jean
Jean was born and raised in Pierre, SD. After practicing law for 15 years, Jean realized she wanted to do something more purposeful with work. This is what brought her to AMH. Jean’s favorite things about AMH are the friendly community and how resilient the little school is. She loves the setting! Jean has two boys in their 20s. She loves tennis, pickleball, cooking, and all sports. An interesting fact about Jean is that she played professional basketball for a year after college with a club near Munich, Germany.
Denny
Denny is from the Philadelphia area. After finishing his degree in psychology, he spent time working in public schools in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with children with mental health and behavioral disorders. More recently, while living in Chile for three years, he worked teaching children English. Denny’s favorite thing about AMH is that the children are always the top priority. He loves to travel and is an adventure seeker. He enjoys all things outdoors but spends most of his time riding his bicycle.
Sabryia
Sabryia is a native Arlingtonian. She attended Primary Montessori herself. Sabryia majored in Psychology and minored in Special Education. During her time at AMH from 2018 to 2022, Sabryia completed the AMI Montessori Assistant certification. Sabryia was excited to return to AMH as Director of Admissions because she believes in Montessori philosophy and loves the school community. Sabryia has experience as an Assistant Director of Auxiliary Programs, and Senior Advancement Associate from area Independent schools of AISGW. In Sabryia's free time she enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, party decorating, and the football season with friends and family.
“The child seeks for independence by means of work; an independence of body and mind. Little he cares about the knowledge of others; he wants to acquire a knowledge of his own, to have experience of the world, and to perceive it by his own unaided efforts.”