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.

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.

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.

Ms. Carter-Nanian began her teaching career as an assistant in a Montessori Primary classroom for 3 years, and she has been a Montessori Lower Elementary teacher at MSM since 2010.  She holds a BA in English from George Mason University, and her Montessori Elementary credential from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.  She holds a Masters in Teaching from Trinity Washington University.  She is an avid reader who enjoys watching movies and spending time with her husband (an English professor), her toddler, and her standard poodle.

Personal philosophy: "I love being a Montessori teacher mostly because I get to foster the overall growth of the students.  We don't just focus on academics, we prepare students for life, to become leaders, and citizens of society.  I find it to be a very powerful way of teaching".

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.

Miss Khanafseh began working at MSM in February 2018. She recently completed a degree 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!