Staff
Fernwood Montessori faculty and staff work in a collaborative manner to provide children with a fully rounded and unparalleled education. All staff members are dedicated to the welfare of all children and passionately contribute to their growth and development. Our diverse staff provide additional culture to our already rich community.
Kim Torres
Head of School
director@fernwoodmontessori.com
MAED in Montessori Education, Saint Catherine University
AMS Elementary I-II Credential, Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College
Kim found her way into the field of education during her undergraduate career while working for researchers who wanted to understand and close the achievement gap. This work ultimately led her into her career in education. After graduating, she became a Director of Operations at a Montessori charter school and supported startup and planning year strategies. She had a close partnership with an accredited Montessori school and became enamored with the Montessori philosophy. The next summer, she took her training for Elementary I-II and become one of the founding upper elementary teachers at that school. She later expanded her teaching experience into lower elementary as well. Since then, Kim has continued honing her school operations, board governance, and strategic planning skills as the Director of the Elementary program.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in Education from Saint Catherine University, and an American Montessori Society credential in Montessori Elementary Education (ages 6-12) from Westminster College. Kim also holds an AMS “ABAR” (Anti-bias, Anti-racism) certificate, which led her to enrolling in a graduate program to further investigate issues surrounding equity.
Head of School
director@fernwoodmontessori.com
MAED in Montessori Education, Saint Catherine University
AMS Elementary I-II Credential, Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College
Kim found her way into the field of education during her undergraduate career while working for researchers who wanted to understand and close the achievement gap. This work ultimately led her into her career in education. After graduating, she became a Director of Operations at a Montessori charter school and supported startup and planning year strategies. She had a close partnership with an accredited Montessori school and became enamored with the Montessori philosophy. The next summer, she took her training for Elementary I-II and become one of the founding upper elementary teachers at that school. She later expanded her teaching experience into lower elementary as well. Since then, Kim has continued honing her school operations, board governance, and strategic planning skills as the Director of the Elementary program.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in Education from Saint Catherine University, and an American Montessori Society credential in Montessori Elementary Education (ages 6-12) from Westminster College. Kim also holds an AMS “ABAR” (Anti-bias, Anti-racism) certificate, which led her to enrolling in a graduate program to further investigate issues surrounding equity.
Shaheen Somji
Assistant Head of School
admissions@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.S. Biology
AMS Early Childhood Credential, AMI Administrator Credential
Shaheen grew up in Karachi, Pakistan amongst Montessorians. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology in Karachi. Soon after, she married and landed in the US where she found herself gravitating toward a career in Montessori Education. After having her children, she decided to move to Preschool Administration where she felt she was better able to serve the families, their children and the staff.
Shaheen calls Washington, DC, suburbs her home, where she has lived for 28 plus years, longer than she has lived in her own city. She has two boys who attended Fernwood Montessori’s sister schools, Apple Montessori in Bethesda & Franklin Montessori in Rockville. She strongly believes in allowing children to learn to help themselves and be a problem solver right from a young age. Shaheen loves to read, dance, & socialize with all ages. She is thrilled to be a part of Fernwood Montessori team.
Assistant Head of School
admissions@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.S. Biology
AMS Early Childhood Credential, AMI Administrator Credential
Shaheen grew up in Karachi, Pakistan amongst Montessorians. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology in Karachi. Soon after, she married and landed in the US where she found herself gravitating toward a career in Montessori Education. After having her children, she decided to move to Preschool Administration where she felt she was better able to serve the families, their children and the staff.
Shaheen calls Washington, DC, suburbs her home, where she has lived for 28 plus years, longer than she has lived in her own city. She has two boys who attended Fernwood Montessori’s sister schools, Apple Montessori in Bethesda & Franklin Montessori in Rockville. She strongly believes in allowing children to learn to help themselves and be a problem solver right from a young age. Shaheen loves to read, dance, & socialize with all ages. She is thrilled to be a part of Fernwood Montessori team.
Lisa Ruas
Lead Elementary Guide
Elementary@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.A. Biology, St. Olaf College
M. Ed. Montessori Education, St Mary's College
Coming to us from the San Francisco Bay Area, Lisa is an experienced early childhood and elementary Montessori teacher, having recently completed her masters degree in Montessori education at St. Mary’s College in California. While originally born at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Lisa grew up in Tampa, Florida, where she also attended Montessori schools as a child, from preschool through sixth grade. Lisa is passionate about Montessori as not just an effective learning method for the classroom, but also a philosophy and way of life.
While Lisa has always been interested in teaching, she initially taught English as a Second Language to high schoolers in Japan and international adults in Berkeley, California, before rediscovering Montessori and beginning her training. Lisa is an unabashedly introverted plant mama, and lover of meandering days and sun puddles with her beloved cat, Coconut. Outside of school, you can often find Lisa enjoying a long hike, gardening, or writing while relishing a nice mug of hot tea.
Lead Elementary Guide
Elementary@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.A. Biology, St. Olaf College
M. Ed. Montessori Education, St Mary's College
Coming to us from the San Francisco Bay Area, Lisa is an experienced early childhood and elementary Montessori teacher, having recently completed her masters degree in Montessori education at St. Mary’s College in California. While originally born at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Lisa grew up in Tampa, Florida, where she also attended Montessori schools as a child, from preschool through sixth grade. Lisa is passionate about Montessori as not just an effective learning method for the classroom, but also a philosophy and way of life.
While Lisa has always been interested in teaching, she initially taught English as a Second Language to high schoolers in Japan and international adults in Berkeley, California, before rediscovering Montessori and beginning her training. Lisa is an unabashedly introverted plant mama, and lover of meandering days and sun puddles with her beloved cat, Coconut. Outside of school, you can often find Lisa enjoying a long hike, gardening, or writing while relishing a nice mug of hot tea.
Anu Reddy
Elementary Specialist
B.S. Architectural Engineering
In her 20 years as an educator in the Fernwood community, Anu Reddy has been privileged to work with students and teachers in the YCC, Primary, and Elementary classrooms. She became an educator early on upon seeing her two daughters flourish in the Montessori environment. She continues her work with the elementary age group which she finds most engaging. She loves facilitating independent thought in children and finds inspiration in everyone she meets. Her goal is to create engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters curiosity, creativity and kindness.
Outside of school Anu has interests in design and global events which she likes to share. She also enjoys travel, gardening and cooking. She is active in her Potomac community serving on the board of a local non profit organization. Anu holds a Bachelors degree in Architectural Engineering and several Montessori certificates.
Elementary Specialist
B.S. Architectural Engineering
In her 20 years as an educator in the Fernwood community, Anu Reddy has been privileged to work with students and teachers in the YCC, Primary, and Elementary classrooms. She became an educator early on upon seeing her two daughters flourish in the Montessori environment. She continues her work with the elementary age group which she finds most engaging. She loves facilitating independent thought in children and finds inspiration in everyone she meets. Her goal is to create engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters curiosity, creativity and kindness.
Outside of school Anu has interests in design and global events which she likes to share. She also enjoys travel, gardening and cooking. She is active in her Potomac community serving on the board of a local non profit organization. Anu holds a Bachelors degree in Architectural Engineering and several Montessori certificates.
Walaa Agha
Primary Lead Guide
Primary1@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.S. Science in Business Administration, Political Science, Jordan University
AMS Early Childhood Diploma, Modern Montessori School, Amman Jordan
Walaa Agha has a bachelor degree in business administration and political science. She also has her Early Childhood certification in Montessori and early childhood development. Walaa worked with students for many years from academic advising to teaching in different Montessori and non-Montessori schools. Walaa also taught Math at Mathnasium and provided Arabic tutoring at Inlingua DC for diplomats. Working in different positions and traveling to different countries showed life from different aspects, from being a quality assurance manager at FedEx to becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator at King Abdullah Academy (KAA), each added more skills and knowledge to her background. Walaa has a true passion for working with children and helping them progress in all areas of development, a challenge that she takes on daily. She strives to nurture their growth in a fun, positive, and focused environment and works hard to ensure students have a safe space to excel in pursuing their goals and passions.
Walaa is a mom to three amazing children. She has two boys and one girl. One of her boys is a graphic designer, the other is Certified Public Accountant. Her daughter is a Genetic counselor. Walaa in her spare time is also a fitness advocate, as a yoga and Pilates instructor.
Primary Lead Guide
Primary1@fernwoodmontessori.com
B.S. Science in Business Administration, Political Science, Jordan University
AMS Early Childhood Diploma, Modern Montessori School, Amman Jordan
Walaa Agha has a bachelor degree in business administration and political science. She also has her Early Childhood certification in Montessori and early childhood development. Walaa worked with students for many years from academic advising to teaching in different Montessori and non-Montessori schools. Walaa also taught Math at Mathnasium and provided Arabic tutoring at Inlingua DC for diplomats. Working in different positions and traveling to different countries showed life from different aspects, from being a quality assurance manager at FedEx to becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator at King Abdullah Academy (KAA), each added more skills and knowledge to her background. Walaa has a true passion for working with children and helping them progress in all areas of development, a challenge that she takes on daily. She strives to nurture their growth in a fun, positive, and focused environment and works hard to ensure students have a safe space to excel in pursuing their goals and passions.
Walaa is a mom to three amazing children. She has two boys and one girl. One of her boys is a graphic designer, the other is Certified Public Accountant. Her daughter is a Genetic counselor. Walaa in her spare time is also a fitness advocate, as a yoga and Pilates instructor.
Anne Simon
Primary Lead Guide
primary2@fernwoodmontessori.com
Master's of Education, Loyola University
AMI Primary Diploma
Anne Simon has worked as a Montessori Primary teacher in Washington, D.C. for the last 8 years.
Anne graduated from Kenyon College in 2010, where she studied Music and History. She was introduced to the Montessori pedagogy in Baltimore, where she volunteered with the Mercy Volunteer Corps for two years after graduation. Anne was impressed by the kindness, respect, and independence she saw in Montessori environments, and was eager to be a part of this philosophy. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute, and a Master's of Education from Loyola University Maryland. Anne is also a Level I Catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program.
Originally from Upstate New York, Anne enjoys canoeing, cooking, baking, and above all, singing. She loves sharing music with her students, bringing a wide variety of songs, genres, and musical instruments into the classroom for them to experience. Anne and her husband, Christopher, recently moved to Bethesda, and are excited to settle into their new home, and get to know the Fernwood community.
Primary Lead Guide
primary2@fernwoodmontessori.com
Master's of Education, Loyola University
AMI Primary Diploma
Anne Simon has worked as a Montessori Primary teacher in Washington, D.C. for the last 8 years.
Anne graduated from Kenyon College in 2010, where she studied Music and History. She was introduced to the Montessori pedagogy in Baltimore, where she volunteered with the Mercy Volunteer Corps for two years after graduation. Anne was impressed by the kindness, respect, and independence she saw in Montessori environments, and was eager to be a part of this philosophy. She received her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute, and a Master's of Education from Loyola University Maryland. Anne is also a Level I Catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program.
Originally from Upstate New York, Anne enjoys canoeing, cooking, baking, and above all, singing. She loves sharing music with her students, bringing a wide variety of songs, genres, and musical instruments into the classroom for them to experience. Anne and her husband, Christopher, recently moved to Bethesda, and are excited to settle into their new home, and get to know the Fernwood community.
Marjorie Arriola
YCC Lead Guide
ycc@fernwoodmontessori.com
AMS Infant/Toddler Credential, Barrie Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies
OCC Infant/Toddler CDA; MSDE Teacher Credential
Marjorie has a passion for early childhood education and believes that these are the most important years in a child's life. She has an AMS infant/toddler credential and a Maryland Office of Child Care infant and toddler CDA. Marjorie also holds a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Teacher Credential. Marjorie has over 24 years of experience working with young students, and 11 years working with 2-3-year-old students.
Marjorie loves traveling, the sea, and nature. At home, she enjoys spending time with her three sons and her dog, Peso.
YCC Lead Guide
ycc@fernwoodmontessori.com
AMS Infant/Toddler Credential, Barrie Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies
OCC Infant/Toddler CDA; MSDE Teacher Credential
Marjorie has a passion for early childhood education and believes that these are the most important years in a child's life. She has an AMS infant/toddler credential and a Maryland Office of Child Care infant and toddler CDA. Marjorie also holds a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Teacher Credential. Marjorie has over 24 years of experience working with young students, and 11 years working with 2-3-year-old students.
Marjorie loves traveling, the sea, and nature. At home, she enjoys spending time with her three sons and her dog, Peso.
