Directory

Ms. Bartha is a lifelong learner and enjoys taking on new challenges.  She came to MSM in the spring of 2018.  She has a Bachelor's degree in both Early Childhood and Special Education from Salve Regina University, a Master's degree in Reading Education from Boston University, and has her Elementary I training from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.  She has over 20 years of teaching experience, and has held positions as a Lower Elementary Teacher, Learning Specialist, Director of Studies, and Transition Counselor, all in a Montessori environment.  Ms. Bartha is trained in the Orton Gillingham and MACAR reading programs.  Currently, she owns and operates Magnolia Montessori Materials, a company that develops support materials for the Elementary classroom.  She is a board member at the Sycamore School, a private middle school located in Arlington.  She lives in Alexandria, has two Montessori children, and a Westie named, Scout.  She enjoys watching her students make new discoveries in the outdoor classroom, and spends her time outdoors, practicing yoga, biking, cooking, and baking.

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 have 13 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, and I joined Montessori School of McLean in 2017. I have my Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and Theatre from Elmira College. I love bringing a bit of theatre into the classroom when working with students, whether it’s reading a book with character voices or singing engaging songs in Circle Time.  What I value about MSM is the strong emphasis on peacefulness and respect, and there is a special warmth here.

test

Ms. Mulhall became a part of the MSM community in 2008 as a parent, and has been teaching at MSM since 2011. She spent five years as a Lower Elementary Teacher and currently is an Upper Elementary Teacher. She holds a BA in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development from Purdue University. As of 2018, she has been working in the Child Development and Education field for 20 years. Ms. Mulhall holds an Elementary I-II credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, and completed the Montessori Applied to Children at Risk (MACAR) training. She enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Her philosophy is, “The purpose of education is not simply to teach but to nurture a child’s love of learning. Children should spend their early years becoming independent thinkers who are in command of their learning environment, and are always striving to learn more.”

Ms. Cian joined MSM in 2014 as a Spanish teacher, and has now  been the Pre-Primary through Lower Elementary Music Teacher at MSM for 2 years.  Ms. Cian is from Argentina.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the National University of Córdoba, Argentina; and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the CAECE University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  She has 8 years of working experience in her country, specializing in children ages 2-12.  After moving to the States with her family 13 years ago, she worked as a Toddler and 4- year old class teacher at Providence Baptist Preschool.  She has also worked as a Music Teacher at the Levine Music School.  Ms. Cian enjoys knitting and jogging.  Being a Music Teacher at MSM gives her the opportunity to continue her passion for teaching and learning in an environment that strives to equip the whole child for everyday life, inside and outside the school, which ultimately makes a direct impact on families and communities.  Ms. Cian is also the parent of an MSM Kindergartener.  She  experiences firsthand how her son continuously develops social skills, emotional growth and cognitive preparation, leading him to be more independent, self-disciplined and self-confident.  She lives in McLean with her husband, 3 kids, and their two pets.