Faculty

Ms. Claudia

Lead Teacher

My name is Ms. Claudia, and I’m thrilled to be a teacher at The Woods. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Science in Education at the University of El Salvador. I became interested in the Montessori learning method after seeing the impact of a Montessori school on children’s development. I earned my Montessori diploma in March of 2021.

I love teaching my native language, Spanish. I have worked in education and childcare for twenty years with children ranging from newborns to twelve years old. I’m patient, loving, caring, and committed to making children’s learning effective and enjoyable. I enjoy seeing the children develop their independence and how they and teachers interact and work together as a community. I strive to create an environment where children feel supported, nurtured, and safe. I’m a mother of four children. I love spending time with my family, traveling, and exercising during my free time.

Ms. Ashley

Assistant Head of School

Ms. Ashley previously worked at our sister school, The Springs, A Montessori School, as a Lead Teacher and both schools as our School Resource Specialist. Ms. Ashley grew up knowing she wanted to be an educator. As a child with learning differences, she saw the critical role that the educators in her life played. She has spent the last two decades dedicated to imparting a love of learning and supporting children at their many levels of growth. Ms. Ashley received a B.A. in Communication from George Mason University. She also studied Deaf Education and Special Education at The University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and Radford University. Ms. Ashley holds an American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential through The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Outside of school, Ms. Ashley loves spending time with her husband and four dogs; Cooley, Rosey, Mia, and Moose. She is a huge D.C. sports fan (go Caps!) and has played soccer and bowled most of her life. She occasionally ventures to the local R.C. track for some racing and enjoys reading, hiking, and photography.

Ms. Deidre

Office Manager

Deidre has worked in childcare for nearly 8 years with 4 of those years being here at The Woods. She has worked in both Classrooms A and B as an assistant teacher. Ms Deidre enjoys working with children because she feels that she is able to learn from them as much as they are able to learn from her. She has a son Brian who also attends The Woods.

When Ms. Deidre is not at work she enjoys spending time with Brian. She also enjoys traveling, shopping, reading, binging her favorite shows, cooking, and cosmetology. Ms. Deidre loves Marvel movies and has never missed a Marvel movie premiere. She is very friendly and outgoing and she loves to chat with parents.

Ms. Annie

Lead Teacher

My name is Ms. Annie (Qurat ul Ain Asadullah). I have been a teacher for 13 years in different Montessori schools. I joined The Woods in 2019. I received my Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Certificate from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (GCMS). I received my Bachelor’s Degree in economics from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. I prefer to work with children because I love their devotion, innocence, creativity, patience, and trust. I am also a mother of three fantastic spider men. My oldest child attends our sister school’s, The Springs, elementary program, while my other two attend The Woods in the Children’s House and Toddler House.

I love spending time with my family, and I also love to visit different beaches each year with them. I love to cook and bake, and whatever I cook, my middle child Azlan always appreciates and thanks and enjoys it.

Ms. Leya

Lead Teacher

My name is Ms. Leya. I am so excited to return to The Woods’ community, where I started my Montessori path. I have been learning under some fantastic teachers at our sister school, The Springs, for the last two years. I started as an assistant in Children’s House. It was shortly after that I realized how marvelous Montessori is! This past school year was my first year as a Lead Intern Teacher. Currently, I am finishing up my Montessori Credentials. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family and enjoying new food during my free time.

Ms. Miriam

Lead Teacher

Ms. Miriam was born and raised in the Philippines, where she was fortunate to have received a Montessori education as a young child.

She received her Bachelor’s in Business Communications Technology Management back in the Philippines. When her family moved to the United States, she pursued her passion for working with children. She received her Master’s of Education in Montessori Education from St. Mary’s College of Moraga in California in 2009.

Ms. Miriam began her teaching journey in the Montessori environment in California and has since taught in Illinois, Texas, and Massachusetts. She is starting her 15th year at The Woods.

“The transformation and growth of the children I get to witness in the Montessori classroom each day regardless of my location is amazing. Aside from the academic learning children gain, the Montessori environment offers young children all the rich early experiences that mold them into confident, capable, and independent lifelong learners. Seeing the joy that this brings children makes me feel lucky to do what I do every day.”

Outside the classroom, Ms. Miriam is a proud military wife and mom of 2 boys who has also experienced the beauty of a Montessori education.

Lead Teacher

This will be my first year as a Lead Teacher but my 2nd year working at The Woods. I worked as an assistant teacher at our sister school, The Springs, for six years. I recently completed my training at the Montgomery Montessori Institute.

I look forward to working with your child and treating them as individuals who can become independent and can realize their own personal best work. I will work to create a safe, nurturing environment where the children can express themselves through their work and develop a love of learning.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and perfecting my love for make-up. I have two awesome children, Adrian, who went to The Springs for four years, and Alessandra, who started at The Springs and is currently at The Woods. We have a dog named Zoey who is our best friend.

Ms. Withney

Lead Teacher

Hello families, My name is Withney Honaker, and I’ll be your child’s lead teacher this year. I am thrilled to be joining The Woods community this year. I was born and raised in Panama. I’ve been working with children for over ten years, but my Montessori journey started as a teacher assistant five years ago, and I loved it! I took Montessori training that same year, and I’ve been a Lead Teacher ever since. Outside the classroom, I enjoy cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with my husband, dog, and friends.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your child! Here is to a fun-filled year ahead.

Ms. Katelyn

Lead Teacher

Ms. Katelyn joined our sister school, The Springs, in 2016 and worked as an Early Childhood and Toddler House assistant before obtaining her AMS Infant/Toddler Montessori credential. She also received an Early Childhood credential and is certified to teach at that level as well. She has over ten years of experience in Montessori schools and recently completed her Bachelor’s degree at UMGC.

When Ms. Katelyn is not teaching at The Woods, she enjoys reading, experimenting with gluten-free baking and cooking, and spending time with her son Cameron.

Ms. Ashley

Lead Teacher

Ms. Ashley has joined the faculty at THE WOODS in 2019 after having been a Teacher at our sister school, THE SPRINGS, since January 2012. She joined the school staff as a floating assistant helping out in all of the classrooms. Soon after, she became a Assistant Teacher in the Children’s House Class. After working for two years in the Children’s House, she decided to embark on a new chapter when the opportunity to work in the toddler program opening became available in the fall of 2014.

Prior to working at THE WOODS, Ms. Ashley attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Ashley was born in Dale City, Virginia. She has a daughter Lilliana who attends THE WOODS. She graduated from Garfield Senior High School in Woodbridge, Virginia. When Ms. Ashley is not working at THE WOODS she likes to bake desserts with her daughter Lilliana, go to local museums and take road trips to see family and friends outside of Virginia. Her favorite dessert to make is her famous banana pudding, which she often makes during the holidays. Outside of traveling and baking, Ms. Ashley is also a licensed cosmetologist. She is very excited to be teaching at THE WOODS and hopes to positively influence all of her students to love learning. Ms. Ashley completed her Montessori Infant and Toddler Certification at the Montgomery Montessori Institute.

Mr. Daniel Clifford

Head of School

Mr. Dan has been at THE WOODS since its inception. Despite being a career Electrical Engineer, Mr. Dan fell in love with working with children and immediately jumped into the world of Montessori Education!

Mr. Dan completed his Electrical Engineering Masters degree at The George Washington University, while simultaneously completing his Montessori Teacher’s Certification at the Northern Virginia Montessori Institute. He taught in the classroom before moving into a full time administrative role. Mr. Dan is finishing up another Masters degree in Montessori Education through Xavier University.

Mr. Dan enjoys bringing a male perspective to our mostly female staff and helping prepare the next generation leaders and innovators! Having grown up in South Jersey, Mr. Dan is also a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan. He enjoys soccer, reading, spending time with his children (Maeve, Nora, Michael) and taking advantage of his wife’s love of cooking!

Administration

Mr. Dan

Ms. Ashley

Ms. Deidre

Toddler House

Ms. Ashley

Ms. Katelyn

Ms. Vicky

Children’s House

Ms. Annie

Ms. Claudia

Ms. Leya

Ms. Miriam

Ms. Withney

Ms. Claudia

Ms. Ashley

Ms. Deidre

Ms. Annie

Ms. Leya

Ms. Miriam

Lead Teacher

Ms. Withney

Ms. Katelyn

Ms. Ashley

Mr. Daniel Clifford