​ADMISSIONS ​ Welcome to Mater Amoris, BERYL'S SECTION TO WRITE Sincerely, Beryl Chafin Director of Admission and Community Engagement Online Application TOUR Wednesdays at 3:45 PM starting October 6th EMAIL US TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT admission@materamoris.org ​ADMISSIONS ​ Welcome! ​ At Mater Amoris, we serve children from age 2 through grade 6, providing an authentic Montessori education utilizing nature to capture children’s innate wonder and curiosity. ​ The diverse range of families who have chosen Mater Amoris appreciate the unique experiences, holistic approach of our teachers, and the opportunities a small independent school offers. We cherish the independence, initiative, and individuality our children display each day of their educational journey with us. ​ Our admission process offers opportunities to understand the principles and values we share with our dedicated families, experience one of our classroom environments, and explore our vibrant campus. I encourage you to peruse our website and to reach out to start a conversation to discover if our school is a right fit for your family! Sincerely, Beryl Chafin Director of Admission and Community Engagement Best Montessori School Apply Now Currrently accepting applications for the 2021-22 School Year for classes that still have space, and our application is open for the 2022-23 School Year. We will begin to process 2022-23 applications in late October. To get started, please complete our online application and pay the $100 application fee by check or Venmo . Initial Consult Scheduled by phone or by Google Meet, this is an opportunity to learn more about Mater Amoris and Montessori, share what your family s looking for in a school, and for us to begin getting to know your child through you. Visit with a Guide Children of all ages are invited for a one on one visit with one of our guides. During the pandemic we are scheduling these after school at 3:45pm. Your child will have the opportunity to explore a classroom, share their interests, and be introduced to Montessori work at an age appropriate level Supplemental Documents For all elementary applicants and Children’s House applicants when applicable, we request a teacher recommendation and transcripts for the past two years. Recommendations are confidential and should be sent from the teacher directly to Mater Amoris at admission@materamoris.org . Recommendation Forms: Preschool – Grade 1 Grades 2 – 6 Transcript Request Form To request more information: Contact the Admissions Office Mon-Fri 8am - 4pm 301-774-7468 info@materamoris.org You can also request more information with this form: Thanks for submitting! Submit WHAT PEOPLE SAY Joyce | Primary parent Mater Amoris has been a phenomenal experience for my four year old daughter. The school staff exudes warmth, kindness, professionalism and dedication. It is a school that promotes creativity, independence, and both intellectual and emotional growth. My daughter is excited to go to school everyday! Sarah | Elementary parent A community that is honest and dependable; I’m so grateful to have a school that has taken extra steps to not only reinvent the idea of school but do it in a way that keeps even the most cautious parents comfortable. Carrie and Todd | Alum parents We were welcomed and encouraged to participate in activities, sports, and experiences that reinforce the true nature of the Montessori philosophy. Our children have flourished in an environment with experienced teachers who teach to the whole child. Our daughter and son have become independent, confident, and creative thinkers.

Faculty and Staff Mater Amoris Montessori School staff are experienced educators committed to guiding children in their learning while also facilitating community-building and creating an engaging, empowering, and productive learning environment. Administration and Staff Alicia Davis Enright Alicia is a passionate educator with a diverse professional background. During her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program in the early 2000’s, she developed an interest in curriculum design and evaluation, which led her into educational consulting with a specialization in accredtiation. Her later choice to homeschool two of her children helped her realize her interest in working with children. With newfound determination to offer alternative and progressive education to children, Alicia pursued her Master of Education (MEd) in Montessori Elementary Education at the Washington Montessori Institute. She received her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification and MEd in 2014. Alicia joined Mater Amoris in June 2019 and is wholeheartedly committed to building upon the rich history of the school and community. Alicia lives with her husband, five children, two dogs, and three cats in Colesville, Maryland. Head of School Beryl Chafin Beryl started her career in business administration and management after graduating with her bachelors degree from East Tennessee State University with a major in Business Management and a minor in Marketing. After working in business administration and management for a number of years, Beryl found her way to Barrie School through her lifelong love of horses. While there she worked in Admission, advocated to continue the school's development of diversity, equity and inclusion programming, implemented new processes and systems, and she also developed a passion for Dr. Montessori's philosophy and practice and is excited to continue learning and sharing that at Mater Amoris. Beryl has 2 young children, 2 dogs, a cat and 4 ducks to keep her busy at home. Director of Admissions & Community Engagement Emily Tremblay Emily began her teaching career 15 years ago as an ESL teacher in South Korea. It was while working in a Montessori school there that she found a new passion for teaching and decided to move home and pursue her Master of Education in Primary Montessori at the Washington Montessori Institute. She has spent the past 6 years working as a Primary Guide in Maryland. At Mater Amoris, she is dedicated to honoring the school's rich history while building into the future. It is a joy for her to work with children and families in the community while sharing and implementing Dr. Montessori's philosophy. Outside of school, Emily enjoys running, reading, and doing yoga. She is also a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, and loves bringing Montessori and yoga education to young children. Director of Montessori Curriculum & Academic Affairs Susan Slattery comes from a large family of eight siblings. Her family originated from Buffalo, NY. And when she was five they moved to Miami, FL. She is retired from the United States Navy, where she spent 20 years working in different fields around the world. She loves spending time with her family and their dogs. She enjoys fostering dogs and finding them their forever homes. She looks forward to meeting each of you and spending time with your children. Susan Slattery Operations Manager and Administrative Assistant Acorn Class Guide Carmen Ascencio Coto Ever since her first observation in a Montessori environment fifteen years ago, Babbs has been passionate about carrying out Montessori’s vision of fostering caring communities of joyful learners. Informed by her AMI training, studies in yoga, meditation, and Taoist practices, has also become invested in fostering a more holistic approach to education, one that meets each child where they’re at in order to nurture a future generation of global citizens who are as empathetic and socially aware as they are confident leaders. Babbs’ experience over the last several years working with children as Classroom Guide, Interventionist, as well as the greater community as Presenter and Coach has shown her the powerful part each adult plays in shaping a child’s experience. Babbs strives to encourage and support responsive and peaceful relationships between children and their caregivers, to understand child development, and use observation as a tool to create spaces for children to feel free and safe to express their unique personalities and gifts. Babbs Bergner Faculty Affairs Specialist Stephany Case Stephany is originally from Colombia and graduated from Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. She has worked for many years in a daycare owned and operated by her family and has completed college coursework in child development. Stephany completed her Montessori Assistant Training in 2020 and currently assists in the Upper Elementary class. She lives in Burtonsville with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. Children's House Assistant Bhavna Bhandari I am Bhavna Bhandari, mother of two boys, who started their education in the Montessori system. I have lived in the US for the past 15 years and was born and brought up in India. I spent seven years teaching elementary level students and leading administrative activities in India prior to moving to the United States. I love and enjoy working with children of all age groups and believe patience and understanding is the key to success with children. Floating Substitute Cristina DeLeon Cristina was born in Los Angeles, California. She later emigrated with her mother to Guatemala City, Guatemala, "the city of eternal spring." There she studied as an accountant, taking courses in public accounting and auditing at the Universidad De San Carlos. She decided to return to the United States where she currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two beautiful children. Cristina will be taking on a new role this year in the Young Children's Community. Housekeeper Cicile Elnas Cicile was born in the Philippines, where she attended university and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Management. She worked in different companies as accounting staff before moving to Dubai where she worked as a human resources executive and an Executive Secretary in an aviation consultancy for six years. She then decided to focus on taking care of her twin daughters (now 6 years old and students at Mater Amoris) as a full time mom. Cicile spent a year as the Assistant in Mater Amoris’s Young Children's Community (YCC) and loved spending time with the children, watching how they mature and grow - becoming more independent each day. This experience led her to enroll in the AMI Assistants to Infancy training in preparation for becoming a Lead Guide in the YCC. Outside of school, Cicile loves creating beautiful memories with her family, traveling, and cooking Acorn Class Guide Alden Kendall is AMI-trained in Montessori Primary, Elementary, and Adolescent, and has been teaching in DC-area schools since 2011. An avid gardener, woodworker, and cook, Alden brings a wide range of interests and experiences to Mater Amoris. Having studied theater, film, and philosophy prior to becoming a teacher, he firmly believes that curiosity and love of learning are a few of the most important characteristics of not only students, but of all people. He enjoys experiencing the world through the eyes of his students as they discover the wonders that surround them, and looks forward to joining the Mater Amoris community as it continues to grow! Alden Kendall Adolescent's Program Guide Ammara Malik Ammara received her bachelors degree in accounting in 2009 from the University of Maryland. She started her career with Ernst and Young in 2009 as a staff accountant and moved to Nielsen, Inc., in 2011. In 2014, she took a position at Lockheed Martin Corporation as a senior tax accountant, where she worked for five years before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom. Ammara has two children. She lives in Laurel and enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and traveling in her free time. Children's House Assistant Cam McFeeters Cam McFeeters is pleased to be joining Mater Amoris as part of the Sunset Club team. She has lived in a lot of places but considers the DMV her hometown. She has worked in a lot of different jobs, but her passion is helping people use art to learn about the world and about themselves. After a career in graphic design, Cam stayed home for ten years to raise her three sons. During that time, she was an active volunteer at her sons’ schools, chairing their preschool and serving as the fundraising chair at their elementary school. She returned to art as a teacher at St. Michael the Archangel School in Silver Spring, Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda and at two locations of Brightview Senior Living. Cam lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Jim, their dog, Echo, and Phoebe the tortoise. She is adjusting to being an empty nester. Sunset Club Mary Hanyok has a lifelong love of learning. She just loves school. She loves school so much that she can’t get away from it. In one form or another, Mary’s always been in school- as a student, as a teacher, or as a parent volunteer. After earning a Bachelor’s in Anthropology, she stumbled into her first job as an assistant in a local Montessori school. While there, she became enthralled with the work the children did. It seemed amazing that such challenging concepts were always presented in such a straightforward and concrete way. What followed next could only be described as a flurry of graduate school. First, Mary attended St. John’s College in Annapolis, earning a Master’s in Liberal Arts. It was here she rediscovered her love of philosophy and became convinced that Euclid most certainly was a genius (until she came across non-Euclidean geometry and had to rethink things). After that, Mary attended the Washington Montessori Institute, earning her AMI Elementary Diploma and a Master’s in Education from Loyola. Since then, she’s enjoyed working in both Upper Elementary and Adolescent classrooms, and is constantly reaffirming her belief that Maria Montessori was the smartest person ever. Recently, Mary has been working on her most challenging position yet, Montessori mother to 3 young boys. In her “free” time, Mary enjoys anything that can be done outside or in a kitchen, or both. Mary Hanyok Adolescent's Program Guide 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 particularly loves the wonder of children and tries to capture that wonder in her own life through reading, hiking, traveling with her family, and ice cream!. She lives with her husband and two sons in Silver Spring, Maryland. Monarch Class Guide Chris Chafin Chris was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. From an early age, he found an adoration for creating and an appreciation for the outdoors. Chris received his A.A.S. from Montgomery College and studied art at Frostburg State University. He expanded his project management and customer service knowledge while working in Bethesda, MD as a Servicing Analyst for many years. Chris was previously a professional groundskeeper, managed property maintenance in VA, and has basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills. He has two young children that attend Mater Amoris and a variety of pets including geese and a gecko. For fun, Chris enjoys painting, homesteading, and completing renovations to his home. Groundskeeper Brian Lamberson Brian was born in South Korea where he was later adopted and moved to the United States at the age of two. He graduated from Sherwood High School and went on to attend Montgomery College where he studied computer science for a year and a half before switching to cybersecurity. He found an interest in the field and earned an Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity in 2022. He is currently attending UMGC to pursue a bachelor's in Cybersecurity Management and Policy in hopes of finding a job within the IT/security field. In his free time, Brian likes to exercise, play video games, draw, go out with friends, and play soccer. Administrative Intern Trevor Imedi Trevor Munyaradzi Imedi is from Zimbabwe. He also lived in China as a teacher and tutor and has permanent residence there with his wife. He has taught varying ages of students, including adults in Africa and Asia for the past 8 years. Prior to teaching, he worked as a paralegal in a law firm. In China, Trevor began working a Montessori environment and decided to pursue receiving his Montessori training. He recently graduated his Elementary Montessori training at Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (SIMS) in Arizona. Mater Amoris is excited to be a part of Trevor’s journey in his plans to open a rural Montessori school in Zimbabwe once he has gained the required experience to become a Montessori teacher trainer. He enjoys tennis, cricket, travel, reading, and golf. Cedar Class Guide Patrick McLaughlin Mr. Pat grew up in Southern California, and spent a decade in the United States Air Force. With years of volunteering as a tutor and a young family of his own, it’s no surprise he found the Montessori Method to be a compelling life choice. Mr. Pat has been a teacher since 2018, and joined Mater Amoris in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. His B.A. is from George Mason in Integrative Studies - Social Sciences; he has a M.Ed. from Loyola (Maryland) in Montessori Elementary Education, and lastly received a M.A. from St. John’s College in Liberal Arts. He enjoys spending his evenings and weekends with his wife and four children, hiking, reading, painting, and visiting with friends and family. Maple Class Guide Felma Lichtenburg Felma completed her undergraduate studies in Elementary education from a prestigious university in Cebu, Philippines. She taught preschool and elementary students for 5 years in the Philippines before moving to the United States. She completed two Child Development Associate (CDA) degrees in Washington, D.C., and then worked as a preschool teacher from January 2006 to August 2013 and an as an infants and toddlers teacher until 2017. In the summer of 2019, Felma completed her in-class Montessori studies and served as an intern in a Mater Amoris Primary class during the 2019-20 school year. She completed her Montessori Primary training and earned her Nature-Based Teacher certification during the summer of 2020. Felma lives with her husband and four children in Brookeville. Liatris Class Guide Marcia Perez 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 6-12, Upper Elementary 9-12, and Primary 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 an examiner for the AMI Elementary teacher training centers in both Dallas and San Diego. 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. Monarch Class Guide Marlene Phillips Marlene is an Assistant and Nature Educator for an Elementary classroom. She has worked as an Assistant Teacher in Montessori Schools for 9 years. She enjoys working with children, especially in a Montessori environment, where she has had the privilege of instilling the love of learning in each one of her students. She recently completed the AMI Orientation Course for ages 6-12 through the Washington Montessori Institute. When she is not teaching, she spends time working in the garden, playing tennis and travelling. Maple Class Guide Ridah Raja Sunset Club Assistant I’m a recent graduate from Reservoir High School and in my second semester of college. I’m currently enrolled at University of Maryland in the College of Education. In my spare time I like to read, skateboard, and am passionate about photography. Lindy Rivera Lindy graduated from the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI) at Loyola University Maryland in 2005 receiving her primary Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma and Masters of Education degree. She has worked as a Children’s House guide, assistant and co-teacher since 2005 at Christian Family Montessori School in Washington, DC, where she helped to establish the All Day Primary Montessori Program. Lindy received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Towson University with a concentration in Human Development. She has enjoyed her many years of working with children in a Montessori classroom. She was born and raised in Maryland, although she has a great love for her family's homeland of Puerto Rico. She is fluent in Spanish and fairly fluent in French. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, crafting, reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband Johnn, son Mason, and chihuahua mix Tanner. Student Support Specialist Sophie Peet My name is Sophie Peet, I am 24 years old from Parkville, MD. I have a Bachelors of Science from University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Environmental Science where I focused on Ecology and GIS work. I am currently working on my Masters of Science from Towson University where I am focusing on water resources assessment and management. I am passionate about the environment and about education. I think that everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow from it, and my skills as a scientist bring a unique perspective to my teaching. During the summer of 2021 I had the opportunity to go on a 10 week solo road trip around the United States where I could focus on some of my joys in life which include traveling, hiking, camping, crafting, painting, and yoga! I hope in my role as a Nature Educator at Mater I can find success and fulfillment and grow as an educator and a leader. Nature Education and Special Programs for YCC & Children's House Coordinator Enyah Perez Hello! My name is Enyah Perez and I’m so happy for the opportunity to introduce myself to the community and in a returning capacity as I am also proudly a MAMS alum! And now, after spending most of my life in education-I feel more poised and honored to return along side the amazing staff here at Mater Amoris. Studying and learning from the Montessori method has offered so much in my understanding of the world - how it works in terms of the physical and how it is shaped, designed and built. As a child, it gave me the internal structure for understanding my passions and interests and has laid a foundation for which I connect with the world and find inner peace. A little about me - my primary interests and hobbies surround positivity, music, art, science, nature and how we all can relate to each other through these wonderful things. My education after Mater Amoris led me to the Field School in Washington D.C. and then the University Of Hartford where I graduated from the Hartt School of music with a BFA in Music Production and Technology. After college I spent some time working as a DJ/musician and teacher in Oregon where I spent part time as a wedding DJ, 10 years as a High School special needs assistant teacher, a mac and cheese chef and a basketball coach with Special Olympics Oregon. All this said, I can’t wait for a chance to get to know you all and work with the students here at Mater Amoris! Sunrise Club Lead and Sunset Club Katherine Russell Katherine received her A.M.I. Primary certificate in Dallas, TX. in 2008 after witnessing her daughter do amazing things after coming home from Lumin East Dallas, an AMI Primary class: like put her clothes in rainbow order and try to wash all the big bowls in the kitchen sink. After being a Lead Guide at a few schools in the DFW metroplex, her and her daughter, now 7, moved to Phuket, Thailand to continue teaching, consulting and offering parent education. I am a community minded Peaceful Artist at heart. Get ready for an exciting year in the Azalea class and all over campus. We are So excited to welcome all the families to a new school year. I am looking forward to exploring and growing with you. Azalea Class Guide Patricia Salazar Patricia was born in Bogota, Columbia, and came to the United States 30 years ago. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Patricia has been an integral part of the Mater Amoris team for 29 years, serving as a Primary Assistant throughout her tenure. She established the Elementary Spanish Program during the 2019-20 school year and is passionate about supporting children in their Spanish learning. This year, she will be serving as a Lower Elementary Assistant, and in preparation, she completed the AMI Orientation Course for ages 6-12. Patricia has two adult children who are graduates of Mater Amoris. Cedar Class Guide Faculty

ABOUT MATER AMORIS Head of School's Welcome "The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence." - Maria Montessori ​ It is my pleasure to welcome you to Mater Amoris Montessori School and invite you to get to know our warm, vibrant, and inclusive community. My passion for Montessori education brought me to this beautiful 13-acre country campus and I immediately fell in love with all it has to offer. There is something transformative - almost magical - about the walk down the driveway to the main building that can only be understood once experienced in person. But our website will give you an overview of the robust educational program and nurturing environment that our school provides. Mater Amoris is dedicated to the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, who believed in using children's energy and imagination to the advantage of the child. In all of our classrooms, regardless of level, each child's learning journey is individualized and based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative work and play. A love for the child, respect for each child's dignity, and desire to nurture the human spirit serve as the bases of our approach and guide our faculty and staff in our work with children and families. Our campus is regularly visited by Mater Amoris alumni - some who graduated within the past few years and others from decades ago. It is a true gift to watch them walk onto our grounds and into our buildings and be flooded with their childhood memories, bringing them a deep joy that is palpable. The fondness with which they speak of their Mater Amoris days and the lifelong relationships they formed while here is testament to the strength of this learning community. I have come to treasure the opportunity to welcome them home! ​ Mater Amoris is an amazingly special place and I warmly invite you to visit us! The enthusiasm of our students, dedication of our teachers, beauty of our grounds, and passion of our families and broader community are here for you to experience as you consider your own child's future. I look forward to meeting you and sharing more about what I love about Mater Amoris with you. With care, ​ ​ Alicia Davis Enright, MEd, MPH ​Head of School Our Philosophy Founded on the concept of teaching with a mother's love and following the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori, Mater Amoris provides a holistic educational experience that values personal growth, community, and academic achievement. In conjunction with the Montessori method, connection to nature is a cornerstone of our program - utilizing our peaceful 13 acre campus to enhance our relationship with the world around us. A Mater Amoris education provides a foundation that develops a child's confidence, resilience, and kindness - preparing them for the challenges of the future. Our Campus Whether decorated with vibrant colors in the spring or blanketed in white during the winter months, our serene campus provides a learning sanctuary with its rolling hills, wooded trail, stream, and gardens. Our main building has six spacious, light-filled classrooms with equally bright connecting corridors. An auxiliary building serves as a multipurpose space with an extensive library, a computer lab, our Nature Nook, and a stage. Our History The Mater Amoris story began in 1968 when the school's original campus opened on Chesapeake Street in Washington, DC. The school expanded from 17 students that first year to 150 students in 1979. The Ashton/Highland campus began serving students in 1986 and has been in continuous operation since that time. Our rich history includes visits from Mario Montessori and Margaret Stevenson, national field hockey trophies, recognition as a monarch butterfly waystation, and so much more! Our Founder Charlotte Shea founded Mater Amoris and was the longtime Directress, leading the school for most of its 50+ year history. Charlotte named the school in honor of her mother by using the words "mater amoris," which is Latin for "mother love." ​ Charlotte currently lives in the big farm house on our campus. Along with her husband, Robert LeBlanc, she continues to be an avid supporter of Mater Amoris and a valued member of our community! Our Logo Adopted in October 2020, the Mater Amoris logo symbolizes who we are as an institution and a community. ​ The tree represents our beautiful campus, which allows us to be in touch with nature and serves as a safe haven and peaceful setting for children's learning and growth. The woman incorporated with the tree - represents the love and nourishment given by a parent/caregiver, such as our wonderful teaching staff. The tree/woman sheltering the children shows the power of our combined setting and community to nurture the unique children who join our community. The children's deep engagement in their books is representative of the intrinsic motivation to learn that we strive to instill in children, while the one child's dangling leg has a whimsical feel that shows the life balance we are working to help children achieve. The closeness of the two children as well as their proximity to the tree/woman represents the closeness of our students and families and the bonds that are formed at Mater Amoris. It also includes the very important message that we can all lean on one another at any given time. The children learning under the tree reminds us of our commitment to outdoor classrooms, which were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The insects show our connection with the wildlife that share our campus; and the butterflies represent our status as a monarch butterfly waystation. There is a magical quality to the image as a whole, which reflects the common sentiment shared by many alumni who recall feeling as though they were entering a magical realm each day as they walked down the driveway to begin their school day.

Middle School Program Why Choose Montessori Middle School? Your child attended a Montessori school and wants to continue in an autonomous, student driven learning community. ​ Your child is an independent learner who is excited about having a voice in their educational journey. ​ Your child thrives when given choice and responsibility. ​ Your child is an adolescent who wants to learn how to be an adult and wants to be treated as a valuable individual within their community. Quotes from John McNamara about Montessori M iddle School. John McNamara founded his own adolescent community in 1976 at Ruffing Montessori in Ohio. He was one of the major voices in the development of adolescent programs and what they should look like “If I’ve learned anything from my students, it’s that caring relationships form the foundation of all lasting learning. Our emotions affect how and what we learn. Students need an environment that frees their minds, their souls, their bodies from those limitations that can hamper them and hold them back.” “Our class motto is: ‘If you can’t be right, be wrong.’ We want a fearless approach to learning. Education today has a tendency to encourage risk avoidance as opposed to risk-taking. We want adolescents to be in the position where they can learn from their mistakes and not be afraid to make them.” “Another real aspect [of adolescence] is an age of silliness. They just need to be silly to have fun.” “Laughter is our safety valve. Because we are capable of laughter, we are able to see ourselves in perspective to others and to unattainable ideals, and at the same time to develop compassion for others by learning to laugh at ourselves, to laugh at our feelings.” ​

Acerca de Financial Assistance Mater Amoris is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for families of all socioeconomic statuses. We also realize paying tuition for your child is an investment in their future as we help prepare them for adult life; socially, emotionally, and academically and we look to partner with you in that investment by offering resources to the fullest extent that we can. As a small school, we are limited in the amount of financial assistance we offer each year and to further support our families we are partners of both BOOST Scholarships and Maryland Excels and we require applying to their programs if their qualifications are met. Please apply for financial assistance at the time you apply for the school so that you are able to receive your admission decision and financial award decision at the same time. All awards are determined by the financial need exhibited by a family's financial statement. To receive an award in our first round of admission decisions at the end of February, please complete your family financial statement by January 31st. Financial Assistance Requirements Financial Assistance awards are determined annually coinciding with re-enrollment, enrollment, and on a rolling basis as needed. Although Mater Amoris does not guarantee funding from year to year, families can expect awards to remain consistent year over year if their financial need remains comparable. Financial Aid become available in Kindergarten. Kindergarten through 3rd grade awards max at 25% of tuition. 4th-8th grade awards max at 50%. ​ 1. If you have a two parent household, please combine incomes/ expenses into the singular column ​ 2. If parents are divorced or not married, there will be two statements provided, one for each household. Each statement is confidential and not shared with the other household. ​ 3. If a second household parent is not financially responsible for school tuition, please provide official documentation of this arrangement, such as the divorce or custody agreement. ​ 4. Please provide a copy of your 2021 and 2022 tax document, once available, for verification. Awards will not be considered binding until this documentation has been verified. ​ 5. All financial aid documents are confidential and are used by the financial aid committee only to determine an award. ​ 6, To finalize the financial assistance award, families must apply for aid through BOOST Scholarships and/or Maryland Excels depending on age and requirements. If you have any questions about financial assistance, please contact Beryl Chafin Beryl Chafin -- beryl@materamoris.org Director of Admissions and Community Engagement

​ADMISSIONS ​ Welcome to Mater Amoris, BERYL'S SECTION TO WRITE Sincerely, Beryl Chafin Director of Admission and Community Engagement Online Application TOUR Wednesdays at 3:45 PM Sign up for a Tour ​ADMISSIONS ​ Welcome! ​ At Mater Amoris, we serve children from age 2 through grade 8, providing an authentic Montessori education utilizing nature to capture children’s innate wonder and curiosity. ​ The diverse range of families who have chosen Mater Amoris appreciate the unique experiences, holistic approach of our teachers, and the opportunities a small independent school offers. We cherish the independence, initiative, and individuality our children display each day of their educational journey with us. ​ Our admission process offers opportunities to understand the principles and values we share with our dedicated families, experience one of our classroom environments, and explore our vibrant campus. I encourage you to peruse our website and to reach out to start a conversation to discover if our school is a right fit for your family! Sincerely, Beryl Chafin Director of Admission and Community Engagement Best Montessori School Apply Now Currrently accepting applications for the 2023-24 School Year for classes that still have space, and our application is open for the 2023-24 School Year. We will begin to process 2023-24 applications in late October. To get started, please complete our online application and pay the $100 application fee by check or Venmo . Initial Consult Scheduled by phone or by Google Meet, this is an opportunity to learn more about Mater Amoris and Montessori, share what your family s looking for in a school, and for us to begin getting to know your child through you. Visit with a Guide Children of all ages are invited for a one on one visit with one of our guides. During the pandemic we are scheduling these after school at 3:45pm. Your child will have the opportunity to explore a classroom, share their interests, and be introduced to Montessori work at an age appropriate level Supplemental Documents For all elementary applicants and Children’s House applicants when applicable, we request a teacher recommendation and transcripts for the past two years. Recommendations are confidential and should be sent from the teacher directly to Mater Amoris at admission@materamoris.org . Recommendation Forms: Preschool – Grade 1 Grades 2 – 6 Transcript Request Form Want to learn more about Mater Amoris? INQUIRY FORM WHAT PEOPLE SAY Joyce, Primary parent Mater Amoris has been a phenomenal experience for my four year old daughter. The school staff exudes warmth, kindness, professionalism and dedication. It is a school that promotes creativity, independence, and both intellectual and emotional growth. My daughter is excited to go to school everyday! Sarah, Elementary parent A community that is honest and dependable; I’m so grateful to have a school that has taken extra steps to not only reinvent the idea of school but do it in a way that keeps even the most cautious parents comfortable. Carrie and Todd, Alum parents We were welcomed and encouraged to participate in activities, sports, and experiences that reinforce the true nature of the Montessori philosophy. Our children have flourished in an environment with experienced teachers who teach to the whole child. Our daughter and son have become independent, confident, and creative thinkers.

LIFE AND LEARNING AT MATER AMORIS Mater Amoris supports each child in achieving his or her unique potential. In service of this important goal, we have carefully structured our schedule and staffing such that each portion of the day is led by a fully credentialed and experienced Montessori Guide. We provide a holistic, highly individualized, and interdisciplinary approach within the context of a collaborative and peaceful learning community. Our year-round, full day program meets developmental needs at each stage of life, thus encouraging independence, personal responsibility, and excellence. Sunrise Club 7:30-8:30 AM The Sunrise Club is an offering for those who would like to start their day with guided outdoor activities, games, gardening, exercise, or crafts. It is also the perfect option for families who have a longer commute or earlier start time for work. Weather-permitting, the majority of the time will be spent outdoors. Children are welcome to bring their breakfast to eat during this time. Sunset Club 3:30-6:00 PM During the Sunset Club, students experience a wide variety of opportunities for furthering their personal development and real-world application of skills. In addition to the time spent with a Montessori trained guide learning about the outdoors, gardening, doing art projects, and participating in health and wellness activities, we offer supplemental programs led by outside vendors. Introduction to Martial Arts with Kang's Black Belt Academy (Children's House) - Children learn to share, take turns, and follow directions. The physical aspect of the class will promote strength and build motor skills while promoting coordination and stamina. ​ Field Hockey with Koa Sports (Lower and Upper Elementary) - Children develop hand-eye coordination, improve balance and stamina, and develop an understanding of team play. ​ Yoga with Create Calm (Ages 3-6 and 7-12) -Mindful movement provides children the opportunity to slow down for a moment as they learn breathing techniques, do yoga poses, play games, ansd sing songs. Sunrise and Sunset Clubs MID-DAY PROGRAMS The YCC environment is carefully and thoughtfully constructed to meet the needs of our two-year-olds. Order, being very important to the young child, is maintained in all aspects of the child's experience. Each item has its place, the child interacts with a limited number of reliable adults, and a routine is established. The external order allows the child to begin to create order internally. The home away from home that is created for the children is a safe place for physical and social exploration. Children of this age are very hands-on learners. Work in each of the four areas of the environment, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Mathematics, offers the opportunity to learn through manipulation. The Montessori materials were scientifically designed to encourage repetition, independence, and exploration. The environment meets the needs of children as they grow academically and socially, offering longer sequences of work and more opportunities for collaboration as the child grows. The Montessori trained guide is the dynamic link between the child and the environment, providing lessons and experiences that are timed to entice the child and provide just the right amount of challenge. The warm community that forms is the result of the confidence and comfort that the child feels in an environment that was meticulously designed to meet their developmental needs. The structure of the Elementary experience in Montessori is carefully designed to meet the social and intellectual needs of the children. The desire to communicate with others is strong, and through group activities, class meetings, and the planning of going outs, children experience social hierarchies, conflict resolution, and collaboration. Through telling of true stories and the creation of timelines, children learn about different pieces of the universe and how they relate to each other. Their deep thirst for knowledge is addressed by the materials and group activities that offer lessons in botany, zoology, mathematics, language, history, geography, music, and the arts. By reinforcing a child's sense of curiosity and community, they learn ways of inquiring, investigating, and resolving questions of interest and concern. This approach leads to an independent, self-directed student. The Upper Elementary student continues organizing concepts and ideas through individual and collaborative work. Lessons and stories are used to introduce children to multiple facets of the world and humanity. They are given space and time to research, create, discuss, and build upon the foundations in math, language, science and the cultural subjects of history, music, and art, that allows them to take true ownership of their learning. There is a depth to the work of the students in a Montessori environment that leads to a deepened understanding of their intellectual capabilities with opportunities to develop their leadership and social skills. Click here to learn more The adolescent program is uniquely suited to provide the time and space children need to continue their work of self-construction. Much of Montessori’s observations about younger children hold true for the adolescent. They are still driven by an inner urge to create themselves as their own separate entity. The focus on self and family, so important in the younger children, has shifted outwards and children now seek to find their place in society at large. This is done by providing them a thorough grounding in the culture of humanity and by asking big questions. Who am I? What do I value? How do I find my place in the world? While some practices continue from the primary and elementary environments- students work at their own pace, follow their interests, use materials to understand new concepts- the adolescent environment focuses on social development and the work of becoming an adult. Programs at Mater Amoris Performing Arts Young Children's Community Children's House Lower Elementary Upper Elementary Young Children's Community The Acorn Class, Ages 2-3 Children's House The Azalea and Liriope Classes, Ages 3-6 Performing Arts ​ Children ages 5-12 receive special performing arts experiences throughout the year, which include vocals, Orff, and drama in addition to the traditional Montessori music lessons. ​ The performing arts program includes two performances each year- a holiday program and a spring musical production. ​ We also invite you to sign your child up for small group lessons on the violin, piano, or guitar. Children can participate in these 30-minute lessons once a week. Health and Wellness​ ​ As part of our holistic approach to supporting and educating children, we emphasize mindfulness and social emotional learning. Our staff is attuned to the physical and emotional well-being of our students, and we encourage dialogue with families about their child's overall health. ​ The physical education program at Mater Amoris promotes personal health and fitness while exposing children to a wide range of sports and games. Spanish​ ​ ​ Spa nish is a component of our Elementary program. The assistant for each Elementary class is a native Spanish speaker who regularly speaks to students in Spanish. In addition, Spanish Montessori materials are available for student use in each classroom. Nature Education and Stewardship​ ​ Our Nature Education and Stewardship program is led by Montessori trained guides who are also passionate naturalists. They partner with classroom guides to provide varied outdoor experiences and opportunities for exploring nature. The entire breadth of our 13- acre campus is utilized as children work in the woods, care for animals, garden, and examine the flora and fauna. Library and Media Literac​y ​ Our Montessori-certified Library and Media Specialist provides age-appropriate experiences for Mater Amoris children, including story-time, library skill development, and research support. She also supports guides with accessing resources to enhance the experience in each classroom. Lower Elementary The Cedar and Maple Classes, Ages 6-9 Upper Elementary The Monarch Class, Ages 9-12 Middle School The Blue Heron Class Middle School Programs at Mater Amoris

History of Performing Arts at Mater Amoris This is your About Page. It's a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do, and what your website has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want to share with site visitors. My Story This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to provide any personal details you want to share with your followers. Include interesting anecdotes and facts to keep readers engaged. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement. Contact I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890

WELCOME TO MATER AMORIS At Mater Amoris, we empower students to ask insightful questions, embrace individuality, strengthen independence, explore nature and become global citizens. Check out our site to learn more about all that we have to offer. Apply Now Visit Us 2022 - 2023 School Year Events Mar 19 Boots & Books Mar 24 STEAM Fair CONTACT US Physical Address : 18501 Mink Hollow Rd Highland, MD 20777 Mailing Address : PO Box 97 Ashton, MD 20861 Phone: 301-774-7468 ​ Email: ​info@materamoris.org Apr 29 Campus Beautification Day May 13 Spring Fair Jun 9 Last day of school & End of year picnic Media: SCHOOL NEWS Best Montessori School! + See Our School Year Calendar

Faculty and Staff Mater Amoris Montessori School staff are experienced educators committed to guiding children in their learning while also facilitating community-building and creating an engaging, empowering, and productive learning environment. Administration and Staff Alicia Davis-Enright Head of School Alicia is a passionate educator with a diverse professional background. During her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program in the early 2000’s, she developed an interest in curriculum design and evaluation, which led her into educational consulting with a specialization in accreditation. Her later choice to homeschool two of her children helped her realize her interest in working with children. With newfound determination to offer alternative and progressive education to children, Alicia pursued her Master of Education (MEd) in Montessori Elementary Education at the Washington Montessori Institute. She received her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification and MEd in 2014. Alicia joined Mater Amoris in June 2019 and is wholeheartedly committed to building upon the rich history of the school and community. Alicia lives with her husband, five children, two dogs, and three cats in Colesville, Maryland. Chris Chafin Groundskeeper Chris was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. From an early age, he found an adoration for creating and an appreciation for the outdoors. Chris received his A.A.S. from Montgomery College and studied art at Frostburg State University. He expanded his project management and customer service knowledge while working in Bethesda, MD as a Servicing Analyst for many years. Chris was previously a professional groundskeeper, managed property maintenance in VA, and has basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills. He has two young children that attend Mater Amoris and a variety of pets including geese and a gecko. For fun, Chris enjoys painting, homesteading, and completing renovations to his home. Susan Slattery Operations Manager and Administrative Assistant Susan Slattery comes from a large family of eight siblings. Her family originated from Buffalo, NY. And when she was five they moved to Miami, FL. She is retired from the United States Navy, where she spent 20 years working in different fields around the world. She loves spending time with her family and their dogs. She enjoys fostering dogs and finding them their forever homes. She looks forward to meeting each of you and spending time with your children. Lindy graduated from the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI) at Loyola University Maryland in 2005 receiving her primary Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma and Masters of Education degree. She has worked as a Children’s House guide, assistant and co-teacher since 2005 at Christian Family Montessori School in Washington, DC, where she helped to establish the All Day Primary Montessori Program. Lindy received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Towson University with a concentration in Human Development. She has enjoyed her many years of working with children in a Montessori classroom. She was born and raised in Maryland, although she has a great love for her family's homeland of Puerto Rico. She is fluent in Spanish and fairly fluent in French. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, crafting, reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband Johnn, son Mason, and chihuahua mix Tanner. Lindy Rivera Student Support Specialist Beryl Chafin Director of Admissions & Community Engagement Beryl started her career in business administration and management after graduating with her bachelors degree from East Tennessee State University with a major in Business Management and a minor in Marketing. After working in business administration and management for a number of years, Beryl found her way to Barrie School through her lifelong love of horses. While there she worked in Admission, advocated to continue the school's development of diversity, equity and inclusion programming, implemented new processes and systems, and she also developed a passion for Dr. Montessori's philosophy and practice and is excited to continue learning and sharing that at Mater Amoris. Beryl has 2 young children, 2 dogs, a cat and 4 ducks to keep her busy at home. Sophie Peet Nature Ed and Special Programs for YCC & Children's House My name is Sophie Peet, I am 24 years old from Parkville, MD. I have a Bachelors of Science from University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Environmental Science where I focused on Ecology and GIS work. I am currently working on my Masters of Science from Towson University where I am focusing on water resources assessment and management. I am passionate about the environment and about education. I think that everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow from it, and my skills as a scientist bring a unique perspective to my teaching. During the summer of 2021 I had the opportunity to go on a 10 week solo road trip around the United States where I could focus on some of my joys in life which include traveling, hiking, camping, crafting, painting, and yoga! I hope in my role as a Nature Educator at Mater I can find success and fulfillment and grow as an educator and a leader. Krissi Disharoon Director of Health and Wellness 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 joins us after first becoming a member of the Mater Amoris community as a parent to two students. Before her role as Director of Health and Wellness at Mater Amoris she taught in a variety of settings. First earning an 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 “MCPS 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. Enyah Perez Sunrise Club Lead and Sunset Club Hello! My name is Enyah Perez and I’m so happy for the opportunity to introduce myself to the community and in a returning capacity as I am also proudly a MAMS alum! And now, after spending most of my life in education-I feel more poised and honored to return along side the amazing staff here at Mater Amoris. Studying and learning from the Montessori method has offered so much in my understanding of the world - how it works in terms of the physical and how it is shaped, designed and built. As a child, it gave me the internal structure for understanding my passions and interests and has laid a foundation for which I connect with the world and find inner peace. A little about me - my primary interests and hobbies surround positivity, music, art, science, nature and how we all can relate to each other through these wonderful things. My education after Mater Amoris led me to the Field School in Washington D.C. and then the University Of Hartford where I graduated from the Hartt School of music with a BFA in Music Production and Technology. After college I spent some time working as a DJ/musician and teacher in Oregon where I spent part time as a wedding DJ, 10 years as a High School special needs assistant teacher, a mac and cheese chef and a basketball coach with Special Olympics Oregon. All this said, I can’t wait for a chance to get to know you all and work with the students here at Mater Amoris! Emily Tremblay Director of Education Emily began her teaching career 15 years ago as an ESL teacher in South Korea. It was while working in a Montessori school there that she found a new passion for teaching and decided to move home and pursue her Master of Education in Primary Montessori at the Washington Montessori Institute. She has spent the past 6 years working as a Primary Guide in Maryland. At Mater Amoris, she is dedicated to honoring the school's rich history while building into the future. It is a joy for her to work with children and families in the community while sharing and implementing Dr. Montessori's philosophy. Outside of school, Emily enjoys running, reading, and doing yoga. She is also a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, and loves bringing Montessori and yoga education to young children. Cicile Elnas Acorn Class Lead Guide Cicile was born in the Philippines, where she attended university and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Management. She worked in different companies as accounting staff before moving to Dubai where she worked as a human resources executive and an Executive Secretary in an aviation consultancy for six years. She then decided to focus on taking care of her twin daughters (now 6 years old and students at Mater Amoris) as a full time mom. Cicile spent a year as the Assistant in Mater Amoris’s Young Children's Community (YCC) and loved spending time with the children, watching how they mature and grow - becoming more independent each day. This experience led her to enroll in the AMI Assistants to Infancy training in preparation for becoming a Lead Guide in the YCC. Outside of school, Cicile loves creating beautiful memories with her family, traveling, and cooking Ammara Malik Liatris Class Assistant Guide Ammara received her bachelors degree in accounting in 2009 from the University of Maryland. She started her career with Ernst and Young in 2009 as a staff accountant and moved to Nielsen, Inc., in 2011. In 2014, she took a position at Lockheed Martin Corporation as a senior tax accountant, where she worked for five years before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom. Ammara has two children. She lives in Laurel and enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and traveling in her free time. Patrick McLaughlin Maple Class Lead Guide Mr. Pat grew up in Southern California, and spent a decade in the United States Air Force. With years of volunteering as a tutor and a young family of his own, it’s no surprise he found the Montessori Method to be a compelling life choice. Mr. Pat has been a teacher since 2018, and joined Mater Amoris in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. His B.A. is from George Mason in Integrative Studies - Social Sciences; he has a M.Ed. from Loyola (Maryland) in Montessori Elementary Education, and lastly received a M.A. from St. John’s College in Liberal Arts. He enjoys spending his evenings and weekends with his wife and four children, hiking, reading, painting, and visiting with friends and family. Athena Gaalswyk Monarch Class Assistant Guide 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 particularly loves the wonder of children and tries to capture that wonder in her own life through reading, hiking, traveling with her family, and ice cream!. She lives with her husband and two sons in Silver Spring, Maryland. Cam McFeeters Sunset Club Cam McFeeters is pleased to be joining Mater Amoris as part of the Sunset Club team. She has lived in a lot of places but considers the DMV her hometown. She has worked in a lot of different jobs, but her passion is helping people use art to learn about the world and about themselves. After a career in graphic design, Cam stayed home for ten years to raise her three sons. During that time, she was an active volunteer at her sons’ schools, chairing their preschool and serving as the fundraising chair at their elementary school. She returned to art as a teacher at St. Michael the Archangel School in Silver Spring, Our Lady of Lourdes School in Bethesda and at two locations of Brightview Senior Living. Cam lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Jim, their dog, Echo, and Phoebe the tortoise. She is adjusting to being an empty nester. Carmen Ascencio Coto Acorn Class Assistant Guide Carmen is 23-years-old. She lives in Rockville but is originally from El Salvador. She came to the United States in 2014 with her mother and sister. She has been a nanny for the past 3 years and is very passionate about working with children because they can view the world from a different perspective and we can learn so much from them. Some of her favorite things are baking, cooking, painting, and photography. Trevor Imedi Cedar Class Lead Guide Trevor Munyaradzi Imedi is from Zimbabwe. He also lived in China as a teacher and tutor and has permanent residence there with his wife. He has taught varying ages of students, including adults in Africa and Asia for the past 8 years. Prior to teaching, he worked as a paralegal in a law firm. In China, Trevor began working a Montessori environment and decided to pursue receiving his Montessori training. He recently graduated his Elementary Montessori training at Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (SIMS) in Arizona. Mater Amoris is excited to be a part of Trevor’s journey in his plans to open a rural Montessori school in Zimbabwe once he has gained the required experience to become a Montessori teacher trainer. He enjoys tennis, cricket, travel, Marlene Phillips Maple Class Assistant Guide Marlene is an Assistant and Nature Educator for an Elementary classroom. She has worked as an Assistant Teacher in Montessori Schools for 9 years. She enjoys working with children, especially in a Montessori environment, where she has had the privilege of instilling the love of learning in each one of her students. She recently completed the AMI Orientation Course for ages 6-12 through the Washington Montessori Institute. When she is not teaching, she spends time working in the garden, playing tennis and travelling. Alden Kendall Blue Heron Class Guide Alden Kendall is AMI-trained in Montessori Primary, Elementary, and Adolescent, and has been teaching in DC-area schools since 2011. An avid gardener, woodworker, and cook, Alden brings a wide range of interests and experiences to Mater Amoris. Having studied theater, film, and philosophy prior to becoming a teacher, he firmly believes that curiosity and love of learning are a few of the most important characteristics of not only students, but of all people. He enjoys experiencing the world through the eyes of his students as they discover the wonders that surround them, and looks forward to joining the Mater Amoris community as it continues to grow! Bhavna Bhandari Floating Substitute I am Bhavna Bhandari, mother of two boys, who started their education in the Montessori system. I have lived in the US for the past 15 years and was born and brought up in India. I spent seven years teaching elementary level students and leading administrative activities in India prior to moving to the United States. I love and enjoy working with children of all age groups and believe patience and understanding is the key to success with children. Felma Lichtenberg Liatris Class Lead Guide Felma completed her undergraduate studies in Elementary education from a prestigious university in Cebu, Philippines. She taught preschool and elementary students for 5 years in the Philippines before moving to the United States. She completed two Child Development Associate (CDA) degrees in Washington, D.C., and then worked as a preschool teacher from January 2006 to August 2013 and an as an infants and toddlers teacher until 2017. In the summer of 2019, Felma completed her in-class Montessori studies and served as an intern in a Mater Amoris Primary class during the 2019-20 school year. She completed her Montessori Primary training and earned her Nature-Based Teacher certification during the summer of 2020. Felma lives with her husband and four children in Brookeville. Patricia Salazar Cedar Class Assistant Guide Patricia was born in Bogota, Columbia, and came to the United States 30 years ago. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Patricia has been an integral part of the Mater Amoris team for 29 years, serving as a Primary Assistant throughout her tenure. She established the Elementary Spanish Program during the 2019-20 school year and is passionate about supporting children in their Spanish learning. This year, she will be serving as a Lower Elementary Assistant, and in preparation, she completed the AMI Orientation Course for ages 6-12. Patricia has two adult children who are graduates of Mater Amoris. Marcia Perez Monarch Class Lead Guide 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 6-12, Upper Elementary 9-12, and Primary 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 an examiner for the AMI Elementary teacher training centers in both Dallas and San Diego. 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. Mary Hanyok Blue Heron Class Guide Mary Hanyok has a lifelong love of learning. She just loves school. She loves school so much that she can’t get away from it. In one form or another, Mary’s always been in school- as a student, as a teacher, or as a parent volunteer. After earning a Bachelor’s in Anthropology, she stumbled into her first job as an assistant in a local Montessori school. While there, she became enthralled with the work the children did. It seemed amazing that such challenging concepts were always presented in such a straightforward and concrete way. What followed next could only be described as a flurry of graduate school. First, Mary attended St. John’s College in Annapolis, earning a Master’s in Liberal Arts. It was here she rediscovered her love of philosophy and became convinced that Euclid most certainly was a genius (until she came across non-Euclidean geometry and had to rethink things). After that, Mary attended the Washington Montessori Institute, earning her AMI Elementary Diploma and a Master’s in Education from Loyola. Since then, she’s enjoyed working in both Upper Elementary and Adolescent classrooms, and is constantly reaffirming her belief that Maria Montessori was the smartest person ever. Recently, Mary has been working on her most challenging position yet, Montessori mother to 3 young boys. In her “free” time, Mary enjoys anything that can be done outside or in a kitchen, or both. Ridah Raja Sunset Club I’m a recent graduate from Reservoir High School and in my second semester of college. I’m currently enrolled at University of Maryland in the College of Education. In my spare time I like to read, skateboard, and am passionate about photography.

Summer Programs Summer X-Terms Mater Amoris Montessori School is offering intensive learning opportunities for ages 11-14. These summer X-terms will be comprised of three two-week summer programs in either woodworking & bushcraft, chemistry & food preservation, or 3D printing & theater. All programs include project-based experiential learning and opportunities to earn SSL hours. Programs run from 8:30am-3:30pm daily. ​ Open to all who are in terested! Email: info@materamoris for more information Click for more information Click for registration form Summer Exploration Mater Amoris community, join our Summer Exploration program for a six week adventure through space as we look at different aspects of our known universe through arts, technology, experiments, and language in a safe and enriching environment for children to explore, engage, and learn. ​ The Summer Exploration program will be available to ages 2-12 and will last from June 26 -August 4, 2023. ​ Open only to Mater Amoris families. ​ ​ Click for more information

Welcome Alum! We welcome our alum to reach out and share their experiences with us! We love hearing your stories about when you were at Mater Amoris and about the adventures you have had since. Please complete the brief form below to be included on our mailing lists and receive invitations to alumni events. We love to hear from all of you! Get in touch First name Email Phone Last name Message Year(s) attended I would like to..(select all that apply) Hear about school updates Share my accomplishments Learn about School events I could attend Reconnect with peers and teachers Submit Upcoming Alum Events We will be hosting a surprise celebration for Ms. Marcia Perez to celebrate 40 years at Mater Amoris on April 12th, 2024. Please complete the above form to be invited! ​ We will also be hosting an Alum field hockey game the following day on Saturday, April 13th, 2024. Please complete the above form if you'd like more information! Upcoming School Events Our Spring Musical, directed by Ms. Marcia Perez, will be held on March 22nd at Our Lady of Good Counsel. ​ We will host our annual Spring Fair on May 11th. ​ Graduation will be held on June 4th. ​ Reach out to info@materamoris.org to learn more!