Faculty & Staff
Mater Amoris Montessori School staff are experienced educators committed to guiding students in their learning while also facilitating community-building and creating an engaging, empowering, and productive learning environment. Hover over each team member to read more about them!
Young Children's Community
Lead Guide - Young Children's Community
Cicile Elnas
From a young age, Cicile aspired to become a teacher, drawn to the joy of guiding children in their learning journey. Even while pursuing her university studies, she found fulfillment in volunteering during the summer to teach neighborhood children how to read and write. Although she followed her father’s advice and pursued a different course in college, her passion for working with children never faded. She continued to nurture it through her involvement in her church’s kids ministry, fostering meaningful connections and instilling a love for learning. After becoming a mother to twin daughters, Cicile dedicated herself fully to raising them during their early formative years. When her girls turned six, she embraced the opportunity to return to her passion by joining Mater Amoris. She earned her Montessori 0–3 Diploma and delights in guiding young children with warmth, patience, and care. Cicile strives to create a calm, joyful, and engaging space where children feel empowered and valued as capable learners. She deeply believes that the way we educate children today will determine the kind of world we live in tomorrow. This conviction inspires her daily work and commitment to nurturing each child’s growth with respect and intention. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, exploring nature trails, watching movies, and traveling.
Assistant - Young Children's Community
Grace Pakasi
Mary Grace Pakasi is an educator who grew up in North Eastern Mindanao, Philippines. She earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision at North Eastern Mindanao University in the Philippines. Mary Grace has twenty years of teaching experience across the Philippines and Thailand. Throughout her career, she has taught students at the preparatory, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. She has also participated in a wide variety of training programs, served as a coach and performing arts trainer, and acted as a judge for speech competitions. The knowledge and experience gained from these opportunities have enriched her teaching abilities and strengthened her passion as a lifelong student of teaching methodologies. As an educator, Mary Grace upholds strong virtues of morality and loyalty, combined with flexible and efficient work habits. She is currently challenged and inspired in her role as an assistant teacher for the Young Children's Community (YCC) and the Sunset Club support program at Mater Amoris Montessori School. She is passionate about working with young children, believing deeply in the opportunity to make an impact during this critical stage of their development by teaching essential life skills and providing meaningful guidance. Mary Grace believes that early childhood is a crucial stage for growth, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of creating a safe and nurturing environment for children. A music-minded individual, she enjoys composing songs, singing, dancing, and playing guitar during her leisure time.
Assistant - Young Children's Community
Ruby Torres Garcia
Ruby is delighted to be an assistant teacher at Mater Amoris. As a mother of three, she has a deep love for children and a strong belief in the power of early childhood education. She is thrilled to be part of the team and has always been passionate about supporting young children's development. Drawn to the Montessori philosophy’s emphasis on independence and self-directed learning, she is committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for students. Ruby looks forward to learning from the experienced teachers at Mater Amoris and contributing to the success of each child's learning journey. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and doing art projects with her children. She is excited to be a part of the Mater Amoris family.
Primary
Lead Guide - Children's House
Cori Kasura
A proud native of the Montgomery and Howard County area, Ms. Cori is herself a former Montessori child whose early experiences in the classroom inspired a lifelong passion for education. She earned her AMI Primary diploma in 2017 from the Washington Montessori Institute, alongside a Master’s degree in Montessori Education. Now entering her eleventh year of teaching, Ms. Cori has guided children at two other Montessori schools in the local area and brings a deep sense of joy, curiosity, and commitment to nurturing each child’s unique potential. Before completing her Montessori training, she served as a lead teacher at an international preschool and kindergarten in Nagoya, Japan. Ms. Cori also holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Outside the classroom, she enjoys curling up with a good book, exploring local parks, and spending time with her beloved cat, Kaffe (and sometimes her husband too!).
Assistant - Children's House
Rikki McLean
Mx. Rikki is entering their third year as a Montessori Primary Assistant. In August of 2024, they earned their AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute. After working for several more years as an assistant, they hope to eventually become a guide themselves. This year, they are continuing in the Liatris classroom as the Primary Assistant alongside Ms. Cori. Mx. Rikki was drawn to Montessori education for its emphasis on independence, freedom, and nurturing the innate curiosity within children. They are looking forward to bringing their positive energy to the Liatris classroom.
Lead Guide - Children's House
Teresa Bauer
My name is Teresa Bauer, and I am honored to be part of the Mater Amoris community. I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education and an A.M.I. Primary Montessori Certificate, which has given me a strong foundation in child development and Montessori education. I am also CPR certified for both adults and children and continue to grow professionally through ongoing training and courses each school year. I am passionate about supporting children as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a nurturing environment. At Mater Amoris, I am excited to contribute to a community that values respect, integrity, and the individuality of each child. I deeply value Montessori philosophy and its focus on fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and finding opportunities for personal growth. I look forward to helping create a warm and enriching environment where every child feels valued and inspired.
Assistant - Children's House
Alvin Diaz
Alvin Diaz hails from the Philippines, Graduated in University of Santo Tomas with a degree in B.S. Computer Science. His passion for teaching or working with kids started with his own children during COVID lockdowns. Teaching his kids reading, writing, and basic arithmetic even before going to kindergarten. His first work as assistant teacher was for a public school working with Special Education children. He found joy in seeing the kids' development throughout the school year. He also enjoyed interacting with the kids and their family even outside the school even if it's just a quick "hi" in grocery stores or in department stores. Alvin is now an Assistant for Childrens house. Making sure the Lead Guide can focus on their roles and making sure as well that the children are safe and fostering a Montessori environment for the children. He also took Assisting in a Montessori Classroom certification conducted by Washington Montessori Institute to further his skills in the classroom. Teaching might run in the family as his parents were both teachers as well. Beyond cooking, reading, and listening to instrumental and orchestral music, Alvin found himself drawn to a few new hobbies over the past year. Fishing became a family pastime, bringing them outdoors and giving them the simple pleasure of time spent together. They have already caught plenty of bluegills, and someday, they hope to add bass and catfish to their list of catches. Alvin also rediscovered the quiet pleasure of writing and journaling. All these were made more enjoyable by his growing collection of gel pens and fountain pens, with their seemingly endless array of ink colors. Alvin and his wife continue to enjoy exploring new cuisines, a tradition that has gradually become a family affair. The children, too, have become more adventurous with food, opening themselves to new flavors and dishes.
Elementary
Lead Guide - Lower Elementary
Lucy Gu
Ms. Lucy, also known as Xiangrong Gu, has over 10 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for working with children. She started her journey as an educator in China and has since completed Montessori training, earning her elementary diploma from the Montessori Training Center Northeast. Her approach is child-centered, focused on fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. In the classroom, Ms. Lucy tailors her teaching to each child’s unique needs, helping them grow with confidence and joy. Outside of school, she loves reading, exploring nature, and sharing stories—interests she often brings into her lessons to inspire creativity and connection. Ms. Lucy is a proud member of the Maple class community and values building meaningful relationships with her students and their families. Her warmth and dedication create a nurturing and supportive space for every child to thrive.
Assistant - Lower Elementary
Patricia Salazar
Ms. Patricia has been a valued part of the Mater Amoris community since 1991, contributing to both the primary and elementary levels. She plays a key role in supporting and creating a calm, orderly environment that fosters learning and independence. Each day, she is inspired and motivated by the kindness, inquisitiveness, and joyfulness of the children and adults within the community. In her personal time, Patricia is an active participant at church and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. One of the aspects she appreciates most about Montessori education is its ability to tap into children’s natural curiosity about the world. Students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning—seeking answers to their questions—while having various ways to demonstrate their understanding, which supports a wide range of learning styles.
Lead Guide - Upper Elementary
Marcia Perez
Ms. Marcia taught primary Montessori before receiving her AMI Elementary diploma from Washington Montessori Institute and completing a master’s degree from Loyola College. She has taught Montessori Elementary ages 6-12, Upper Elementary ages 9-12, and Primary 3-6 at Mater Amoris. She is a recognized Montessori lecturer and has presented the complete Montessori music curriculum throughout the United States and internationally. She has been a guest examiner for the certification of new lead guides at AMI Elementary teacher training centers. During her time at Mater Amoris she has played an integral part in both the annual holiday programs and spring musicals. Marcia is married and has two adult children who both attended Mater Amoris Montessori School from ages 2 ½ to 12 years of age. She loves music and singing and wants to bring this love to her work in the classroom. Baking, especially during the holidays, keeps her connected to her family and Scandinavian traditions. She loves hiking and getting out into nature and finds great joy in traveling, especially if it means exploring a new place of beauty.
Lead Guide - Upper Elementary
Trevor Imedi
Mr. Trevor is a passionate Montessori educator with over a decade of teaching across Africa, Asia, and the United States. For the past two years, he has been an enthusiastic part of the Mater Amoris Montessori School community, where he continues to inspire young learners with his global perspective and dedication to Montessori philosophy. Trevor’s teaching journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in children. His diverse experiences have enriched his understanding of cultural nuances in education, which he seamlessly incorporates into his classroom environment. Trevor is also working towards his ultimate goal of opening a Montessori school in Africa, further extending his impact on early childhood education. Outside the classroom, Trevor enjoys reading, road trips, tennis, and golf. His adventurous spirit and love for exploration mirror his approach to teaching—encouraging students to embrace discovery and growth.
Adolescent
Lead Guide - Adolescent
Alden Kendall
Alden has been deeply involved in Montessori education since 2011, bringing over a decade of experience to his work with children and adolescents. He has completed rigorous AMI training across multiple levels, including Primary, Elementary, and Adolescent, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of the Montessori philosophy and its application across different developmental stages. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Loyola University Maryland, further enriching his expertise in child development and pedagogy. In 2022, Alden became a founding guide of the Adolescent Program at Mater Amoris, where he specializes in humanities, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a love of learning in his students. Passionate about hands-on, experiential education, he enjoys integrating real-world applications into his teaching to help students develop independence and problem-solving skills. Outside the classroom, Alden finds joy in spending time with his family, embracing the outdoors through gardening, and engaging in creative, hands-on projects. Whether he is building something new or cultivating a garden, he values the process of learning and creating. Through his work, Alden continues to inspire young minds and contribute to the growth of Montessori education.
Assistant - Adolescent
Marlene Phillips
Marlene is a dedicated and passionate assistant, who has been part of the Mater Amoris team is September 2020. She enjoys supporting student learning and development, particularly through practical life activities such as cooking and sewing.
Experiential Learning Coordinator
Dan Dillehay
Dan has more than a decade of experience working in education, including teaching in public schools, international classrooms, and outdoor education programs. He grew up in Virginia and has spent the last two decades living in Alaska. He has two teenage sons that attend school in Montgomery County. Dan attended University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University, gaining a strong foundation in science, environmental education, and climate-related topics through his background in Marine and Environmental Science. As an educator, he believes in creating inclusive classrooms where students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Dan's experience teaching English in Taiwan and supporting multilingual learners in Alaska has strengthened his ability to use scaffolding, visual supports, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive teaching strategies. As the co-founder and program director of Into the Woods Alaska, Dan also gained experience developing and leading outdoor education programs to support students in learning leadership, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and practical safety skills.
Special Programs
Nature Education and Stewardship Coordinator
Emma Cooper
Emma is a graduate from West Liberty University, where she majored in Zoo Science and Applied Conservation, with a second Bachelors in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. She is incredibly passionate about animals and sustainability, having helped to implement numerous sustainable initiatives during her time in college. Her interest in animals has greatly impacted the majority of her life, and she is overjoyed to hold the role of Coordinator of Nature Education and Stewardship. In this role, Emma teaches Nature Education to every class, alongside helping to manage the campus gardens and trails, spearheading environmental initiatives, and educating the community about ways (both small and large) that we can make a difference for the world around us. She also has been given the wonderful opportunity to stage direct the Elementary spring productions and is enjoying drawing on her stage management experience for this role. Beyond animals, conservation, and theater, Emma also loves photography and reading and can often be found curled up with her cat and a good fantasy or science fiction novel. She would like to thank the community for trusting her to educate their students, and hopes to learn just as much from them as they do from her.
Health and Wellness Coordinator
Krissi Disharoon
Raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Krissi is a career educator who has always loved art, nature, wildlife and being active. She is a former competitive synchronized ice skater, ballet dancer, snowboarder, field hockey, and soccer player who still enjoys staying active in a variety of ways. Always pursuing artistic endeavors, she has a love for theater, dance and fine arts. Krissi joined us after first becoming a member of the Mater Amoris community as a parent to two students. Before her role as Health and Wellness Coordinator at Mater Amoris she taught in a variety of settings. First earning her Associate of Arts in Art Education , a BFA in General Fine Arts with a minor in Sculpture and a Masters Of Arts in Teaching from Maryland Institute College of Art, in Baltimore. Her Experience includes over a decade with MCPS as a High School Art Educator, and MCPS Art Show Coordinator. Krissi was named “High School Art Teacher of the Year” from the Maryland Art Education Association. Evenings and weekends were often filled with coaching Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer, teaching Ballet and children's yoga. As an artist she enjoys working with a variety of media and processes including; photography, glass, natural materials, oil and acrylic paints, fiber arts and printmaking. She loves spending time with her family, pets and friends or getting outside in the woods, hiking on a trail, being in/on the water or plein air painting. She continues to nurture her lifelong love of learning, and recently completed AMI Orientation training for ages 6-12 at the Washington Montessori Institute.
Student Engagement Specialist
Lorrea Duffin
This is my second full year at Mater Amoris. As your Student Engagement Specialist, I am involved with Sunclubs(before and after care), the Library, and Summer Exploration. I love having the opportunity to work with the students and I’m especially excited to hear about the books they are reading and share that love with them. One thing I love to do outside of work is READ! I’m an avid reader and read nearly 100 books a year for pleasure. I also have the awesome job of being an ARC(Advanced Reader’s Copy) reader. I get to read books before they are published and give the author and publishers my feedback on the book. Sometimes I even get to help pick out covers and titles. I’m also a member of a couple of book clubs. Whenever you are in the main building, stop by my desk (outside of Skyroots Den) to see what I’m reading. I am also the mother of three children. My oldest daughter is 18 and is in college. I have two other children in high school at Richard Montgomery High School. My son is 16 and is on the cross country team and my daughter is 15 and plays flag football. When I’m not working or reading, I travel all over the county and state for their events.
Facilities and Grounds
Building and Grounds Maintenance Manager
Chris Chafin
Chris Chafin was born and raised in Derwood, Maryland. From an early age Chris really enjoyed creating art and being outdoors. Chris gained experience as a laborer for a drywall forman and carpenter, as a groundskeeper for Needwood, and received his A.A.S. in Illustration and Design from Montgomery College in 2008. In his role as the Facilities and Grounds Manager, Chris blends his joy for the outdoors with his knack for problem-solving and creative thinking. Chris takes pride in his ability to quickly diagnose and resolve issues that arise while maintaining the natural beauty of our campus. With an infectious laugh and a tireless work ethic, Chris hopes to bring joy and endless support to his colleagues and our community. While Chris also likes home improvements and wood working outside of work, he enjoys spending most of his time with his family and friends. He also loves to paint, enjoys fishing and being by the water, and is a die-hard Washington Commanders fan.
Housekeeper
Delmi Martinez
Delmi was born in Honduras and this is her first year working at Mater Amoris. She loves to say hi to the smiling students as she walks down the halls. Delmis is also a grandmother and loves to spend time with her grandchildren.
Student Support
Associate Director of Student Affairs
Emily Tremblay
Emily began her teaching career 20 years ago as an ESL teacher in South Korea. It was there that she was first introduced to Montessori. From there, she moved home to pursue primary Montessori training at the Washington Montessori Institute and a Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland. She worked as a primary guide for six years before moving into her role as the Associate Director of Student Affairs and Reading Specialist at Mater Amoris Montessori School. She is Orton Gillingham certified and is currently completing her training as an academic language therapist. Emily and her husband are avid travelers. Some of their most memorable travel adventures were skydiving in New Zealand on their second anniversary, snorkeling in the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, and car camping in Iceland. Closer to home, Emily enjoys reading a good mystery, doing yoga, and playing board games.
Community Care Coordinator
Janelle Carpenter
Janelle is a registered nurse licensed in Maryland and a Towson University graduate with degrees in Psychology and Nursing. She has over ten years of experience caring for patients in medical-surgical, psychiatric, orthopedic, and home health settings. She joined Mater Amoris as a part-time nurse and now serves full time as the school’s nurse and community care coordinator, supporting both student health and administrative needs. Janelle aspires to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is the proud parent of Michelle (6th grade) and Mabelle (4th grade) and is beginning her seventh year as part of the Mater Amoris community.
Student Support Specialist
Carolyn Haas
Carolyn Haas is excited to begin working at Mater Amoris! Carolyn got her heart set on education early, playing school with her younger siblings. After graduating from Penn State, she spent a year teaching English on a Fulbright Scholarship in rural Vietnam and then a year working at a Montessori school in Ecuador. She returned to the US where she interned in the Obama White House and then assisted in an AMI-certified primary program in Virginia. In 2014, she trained to be a primary Montessori guide at Washington Montessori Institute. She spent three years working in the classroom before leaving to have children. Then in 2021, she opened a Montessori program in her home, which she joyfully ran for the last five years. Carolyn is looking forward to the next chapter at Mater Amoris, and she is feeling excited and inspired as she completes her Montessori Elementary Training through WMI. In Carolyn's free time, she likes reading, making things, and going on adventures with her husband and three children.
Administration
Head of School
Alicia Davis Enright
Alicia Davis Enright is an educational leader with experience in early childhood, K-8, and undergraduate and graduate program design, evaluation, and leadership. She holds graduate degrees in Montessori Elementary Education (Master of Education) and Behavioral Sciences and Health Education (Master of Public Health) and earned her Montessori Elementary diploma through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 2014. Alicia joined the Mater Amoris team in 2019 as the Head of School and Elementary Lead Guide, a dual role that she served in for the 2019-20 school year before stepping solely into a school leadership role in 2020. Alicia is dedicated to building a healthy and cohesive community, a strong and unified staff team, and a positive environment in which children can grow and thrive. As a mother to five young people (ages 8 to 22 years) and five pets (two dogs and three cats), Alicia finds joy in lifelong learning through reading, watching movies and documentaries, traveling and exploring the world, nurturing relationships with diverse friends and family, and supporting the growth and well-being of others.
Director of Operations
Athena Gaalswyk
Athena grew up in California and graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in history. After an early career in marketing, she decided to stay home to raise her two sons. When her youngest son started Kindergarten, she went back to work as a preschool teacher, a role she loved for 13 years. She received her Montessori Assistant certification in 2022 and worked in the Monarch class for four years before transitioning to school leadership and administration. Athena enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and ice cream! She lives with her husband in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Administrative Assistant
Enyah Perez
Enyah Perez was born in Virginia and was raised in Silver Spring, MD. In fact, they attended Mater Amoris as a child, starting in primary at 2 1/2 and then graduated from Ms. Perez's (Ms. Marcia's) Upper Elementary class at the age of 12! Enyah then went on to middle and High School in NW DC at the Field School, followed by college where they received a BA of Arts in Music at the U of Hartford in Connecticut with a degree in "Music Production and Technology." After college, Enyah moved to Portland, Oregon to pursue their love of music and spent 10 years working with special needs, High School students. After 11 years in Oregon, Enyah returned to the DC area to train for two years in Montessori and received their AMI teaching certification at the 3-6 level. Enyah, shortly-after, rejoined Mater Amoris and has been with the MA team since, 2021. Outside of school, Enyah loves to collect vinyl records, play drums, DJ and work with all things music related. Rejoining Mater Amoris has been an absolute joy! They look forward to the growth of the children, community and for the exciting times to come!
Director of Admissions & Community Engagement
Shaheen Somji
My name is Shaheen Somji, and I immigrated to the United States from Karachi, Pakistan, over 30 years ago as a newly married 22-year-old. Montessori has always been a part of my life. I come from a family of educators - my aunts and sister are experienced Montessori educators in Karachi and have spent their careers at some of the city's most respected Montessori schools. It was only natural that I found my own path in Montessori education. I began my career teaching at Julia Brown Montessori before taking time to raise my two children, both of whom attended Montessori schools in Maryland. As my family grew, I discovered that my passion was in school administration and helping behind the scenes. I spent three years at a Spanish Reggio-inspired school in Bethesda before joining Fernwood Montessori School, where I had the privilege of building a strong, supportive community of families and staƯ. Although I am sad to leave the Fernwood community, I am excited to bring my passion for Montessori relationship-building to Mater Amoris. I look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staƯ and becoming part of this wonderful community. Outside of school, my husband and I enjoy entertaining family and friends, watching mystery and suspense shows, and traveling whenever we can. I also love Bollywood films and enjoy music that gets me up and dancing.