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) 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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she quickly realized a new calling. After completing her AMI Primary training at the Washington Montessori Institute, she began her career as a Primary Guide. She also earned a Master’s degree 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 and has been 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 one year. She has spent much of her life traveling to different countries with her husband during his diplomatic assignments. Ramanika plays the accordion and organ and enjoys walking on trails in her free time. She is enthusiastic about her work and values being part of each child’s learning journey.
Aster
Aster was born and raised in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Her parents, who were farmers, made great sacrifices to support her and her four brothers through high school. She is a spiritual person and spent time studying with monks in Ethiopia. Aster moved to the United States in 2009 and has experience working in assisted living facilities, where she cared for the elderly. She enjoys reading, walking in nature, and visiting historic places. Aster is deeply compassionate and loves working with children.
Hassina
Hassina is originally from Afghanistan and moved to the United States with her family in 2014. She began her journey in the U.S. by studying English as a Second Language and went on to earn her Associate’s degree in Network Technology in 2022. After living in Washington State for eight years, she relocated to Virginia. Hassina has experience as a classroom assistant and is passionate about supporting children’s growth and development. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with her family.
3809 CLASSROOM
Christine
Christine has worked in the classroom as a Montessori Directress in Canada and 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 Humber College (Social Service Work). Christine was Montessori-educated for eight years during her early childhood. More recently, she has been raising her son, Louis Kai, as a Montessori preschooler. Her main hobbies are playing the 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 through eighth grade. She enjoys working at AMH because it is very family-oriented. She is the youngest of three siblings. In her free time, Laterra enjoys shopping, doing her makeup, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family.
Sultana
Sultana is from Afghanistan, where she grew up and recently immigrated from with her husband and three children. She worked as a teacher in Afghanistan. Sultana believes in the power of learning and finds it rewarding to help someone understand something new and gain self-confidence. Being part of that process and seeing the difference it makes inspired her to pursue a career in education. Her favorite thing about AMH is the emphasis on purposeful activities that engage both the mind and body.
Marinna
Marinna grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she learned the value of early childhood education from her dedicated mother. In high school, she worked in her mother’s preschool, and after graduating, she continued working as both a teacher and assistant teacher. Marinna is currently studying Psychology and is happy to be at AMH, as she believes in the Montessori method. She exercises and meditates most mornings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, grabbing coffee with friends, playing with her cat, reading, and making long video calls with her family in Brazil.
TODDLER CLASSROOM
Tatyanna
Tatyanna was born in Alexandria and raised in Washington, D.C. She has been a valued member of the AMH community since 2021. She brings warmth and enthusiasm to the classroom, fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in each child. Tatyanna is expected to receive her AMI Montessori Toddler Diploma in July 2026. She prides herself on being a foodie. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and trying new restaurants.
Avery
Avery is from upstate New York, where she attended SUNY Potsdam and earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and International Affairs, with a minor in Education. While pursuing her degree, she spent three summers working at AMH, where she quickly felt at home among the staff and students and developed a love for Montessori philosophy. She also worked as a substitute teacher, an experience that confirmed her desire to pursue a career working with children. When Avery decided to relocate permanently to the DMV area, returning to AMH felt like a natural next step.
Emmy
Emmy has been working with young children for many years and is thrilled to be part of the AMH team. She believes in children’s independence and that they are all capable of greatness. Emmy helps create a supportive environment by encouraging independence and creativity. She loves being outdoors and enjoys going on walks, hiking, swimming, 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 Montessori credentials 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, South Dakota. After practicing law for 15 years, Jean realized she wanted to do something more purposeful with her 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 originally from the Philadelphia area and holds a degree in Psychology. He has experience working in public schools in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, supporting children with mental health and behavioral needs. Since 2019, he has supported the AMH community in a variety of administrative and technical capacities. Denny’s favorite thing about AMH is that the children are always the top priority. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, outdoor adventures, and spending time on his bicycle.
Claudia
Claudia was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her Montessori journey began 18 years ago at AMH in House 3809, where she held various assistant positions. Claudia has a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She earned her AMI Primary certification from the Washington Montessori Institute and her Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland. Claudia continues to enjoy her Montessori journey alongside her daughter, Mia, who is completing her final year of Primary in the 3809 classroom, creating her own memories where Claudia’s first began.
“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.”