Montessori Education Week

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. 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. Nima

Lead Teacher

Hello! I am Ms. Nima Dasgupta, the Lead Teacher for Classroom C. This year will be my third year at Woods Montessori and my 13th year leading a Montessori classroom. I received my Primary Montessori teaching certificate from the American Montessori Society (AMS) in 2009. Before that, I received my Bachelor’s degree in English from Calcutta University in India. I have mentored classroom assistants and Montessori-certified teachers. I live with my family in northern Virginia. I like to travel, watch movies and Web series, try different cuisines and do gardening in my spare 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.

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.

Office Manager

Ms. Markal has been in Montessori education for almost 8 years and I have over 10 years of experience working with children. I work with children because I find it very rewarding. My favorite thing is to see something I’ve helped a child work on finally stick and for them to have that budding confidence that they are capable of anything. I’m  currently studying Education Administration and I’ve taken numerous trainings pertaining to Montessori Education. When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, my son Roman, creating art, reading, and baking.

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.