Directory

Mrs. Montague has over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, wearing many hats: starting as a Parent Aide and member of the governing Board of Trustees of a prominent McLean independent school, then moving to the classroom as a teaching assistant for many years. She became a Lead Teacher which she also enjoyed before joining MSM in 2010 as the Director of Admission.  Education: George Mason University - Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Focus on Early Childhood; three University of Virginia courses toward her M.Ed.;  Personal Mission: to help parents connect with the benefits of Montessori education for their children. Interests: being the best Grammie she can be for four (soon to be six) wonderful grandchildren!

Ms. Silverman joined MSM in 2013. She holds a BA in Marketing Communications from State University of NY at Buffalo, and her Montessori Primary credential from the Northern Virginia Montessori Institute. She enjoys collecting children's books, visiting historic sites, and classic movies. Her personal philosophy: "Each child is an individual with unique interests, needs and developmental paths, and it's the goal of any teacher to identify and nurture these in every child. The core of the Montessori educational philosophy is to seek and serve each child's unique spirit and nurture the lifelong love of learning. This educational model provides me, as an educator, a way to connect with my students in a wholistic manner and continue to learn about the world with them as well.'  It is my privilege to work with such an unparalleled and committed faculty, staff, students and families.

I have studied Fine Arts and Early Childhood Development. I started my teaching career in 1991, in the Alexandria school system, working with preschool and kindergarten students. Since then, I have worked with young children to make a difference in their lives. In 2009, I joined Montessori School of McLean as a Teacher’s Assistant, and became an Art Teacher to Elementary students in 2017. At MSM, I am also responsible for teaching a Peace building class to Kindergarten students. I can honestly say that joining MSM was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I truly enjoy being part of the teaching staff, who are creative, loving, engaging, and offer an immersive experience to all children in our school. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling to different parts of the world. I like going to the theater, taking nature trails, baking, and drawing sketches as it helps me relax.

Miss Khanafseh began working at MSM in February 2018. She is currently studying multidisciplinary education at Marymount University. She enjoys being part of the MSM community because she gets to see children developing every aspect needed for everyday living, and not just their scholarly skills!

I am AMS certified to teach Primary (pre-k -1st grade) and Secondary education (ages 12-18) with 15 years of teaching experience. I am native to the area and graduated from Langley High School. My Bachelor’s degree is in Economics, with a background in alternative health care practices. After quickly discovering a desk job was not in the cards for my overall happiness and wellbeing, I decided to pursue teaching.  After observing in a Montessori early childhood classroom, I was intrigued! I quickly became passionate about the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori and the implementation of her pedagogy in the classroom. I spent six years teaching in an early childhood classroom and then took a three year hiatus to obtain my secondary teaching credential and to teach in a Montessori middle school program. I had a great experience working with middle school students, but realized working with the little ones was my true calling. I returned to a Primary classroom at the Montessori School of McLean in 2010. I am happy to be back in an early childhood classroom and to be a part of such a great community of educators and families here at MSM.  My husband and I have a 3 year old daughter, Melody. She inspires and motivates me to be a better person every day. When I am not at school, I recharge my batteries through my love of nature, seeing live music, and taking frequent trips to the beach.

I was born in Karachi Pakistan, and completed my Bachelors in Economics with minors in History and Political Science there.  I came to the USA in 1985.  I volunteered in Fairfax County Public Schools from 1995, and became interested in teaching, thus took courses in childcare at Fairfax Adult Learning center, and have been affiliated with the teaching profession since 2000. I started at a preschool at McLean before joining MSM.  I joined MSM in 2010 and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a MSM family. I enjoy cooking, entertaining my friends, and love gardening.

Ever since Ainsley Van Over attended Montessori School of McLean Upper Elementary from 1998-2001, she knew she’d found her home.  Once you become a member of the MSM community, you’re one for life!  Ms. Van Over has been teaching Elementary Montessori for three years and earned her Elementary I-II certification at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.  She was a lead Upper Elementary teacher and Elementary Spanish teacher for the 2017-18 school year at another Montessori school.  This is her first year as an assistant teacher at MSM.  She completed a senior internship at MSM in the Lower Elementary in 2007.  After she left MSM, she went on to attend Flint Hill, Franklin & Marshall College, and Marymount University where she studied comparative literature and Spanish.

Mrs. Evers was a traditional preschool teacher for 8 years before becoming a Montessori teacher in 2003.  She holds a B.A. in Psychology, and completed her Montessori Primary training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.  "Int. Research and child development"  Her interests outside of school include: Community of Christ minister, gardening, travel, Reiki master, seminary.

Mrs. Farruggio has been a member of the MSM community since 2008. She began as a parent, then a yoga instructor, a classroom assistant and has been teaching in the Lower and Upper Elementary since 2015.  She holds a BA in English Literature from George Mason University, and a Montessori Elementary I-II  credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, hiking, and spending time with her family. Her goal as a teacher is to help prepare children to face the challenges of the world, and inspire them to become lifelong learners.

Mrs. Long has been a librarian for over fifteen years, working in both public and private school libraries.  She holds a B.A. in Classical Studies from Davidson College, and a Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons College.  Mrs. Long joined MSM in 2018 and loves being surrounded by such an enthusiastic group of young readers!  In her spare time, Mrs. Long enjoys reading, knitting, and travel.

Mrs. Graham began teaching Art for the MSM Kindergartners in the 2017-18 school year. Additionally, she has taught private art lessons since 2011 to elementary and teenaged students in Great Falls VA at her studio, Children’s Art Great Falls. Prior to joining MSM, she taught Art for 3 years at Sienna Academy Montessori School in Great Falls and substituted at local schools. She enjoys spending summer vacations with family in Maine, golf, biking, gardening, babysitting her granddaughter, and of course, painting! "The staff has been so kind and welcoming at MSM, and I totally enjoy the children who make each day special and unique!"

Mrs. Galbreath (“Mrs. G”) has over 20 years of Montessori teacher experience at MSM, including 10 in the Science Lab. She received her BA in Theatre from Sweet Briar College, her AMI Montessori Elementary Teaching Certificate and Master of Education Degree from Loyola University Maryland, and a Graduate Certificate in Earth/Space Science Education from Johns Hopkins University. All three of her daughters graduated from MSM and have wonderful memories of their time here. Mrs. Galbreath loves the family atmosphere at MSM. When not in the Science Lab she can be found on the tennis courts.