Our team
Each Fiore team member is hand picked for their commitment to your child’s wellbeing and success. Guides are AMI trained and this makes them experts in child development, observation and assessments and connecting a child to their inner self to excel at academics and social engagements.
Administration
Sailini Lohia
Head of school
Sailini founded Fiore Montessori School along with husband Sandeep in 2010. She is trained as an AMI Montessori Primary Guide and has over 8 years of experience working with children ages 3 - 6. Sailini holds a M.B.A. in Finance and B.S. in Commerce. In a previous life, Sailini worked as a Business Director for Capital One. She and her husband have two sons, ages 17 and 19, and live in Vienna, VA. She is a committed Iyengar Yoga student and enjoys playing Bridge.
Sandeep Lohia
Strategic Head
Sandeep founded Fiore Montessori along with his wife, Sailini, in 2010. In 2012, Sandeep assumed the role of head of school at Fiore Montessori which he passed on to Sailini in 2019. Sandeep is trained as an Engineer and holds an M.B.A. He believes that a strong foundation is essential to long term success and is passionate about producing a conducive environment at Fiore for every child to develop a strong foundation for success and happiness.
Kelly McDermott
Director of Enrollment
Kelly is originally from New York, but now lives in Reston with her husband, daughter, and son. Kelly has more than a decade of childcare experience and a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Administration. Kelly has been in the admissions field for more than 8 years and thoroughly enjoys working with families. In her downtime, Kelly enjoys watching movies, spending time outside, baking, and watching her children grow more everyday.
Jennie Hashemi
Office Manager
Jennie is a lifelong educator, beginning her career teaching high school Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology for nearly 15 years and leading the Science Department at St. John’s College High School before transitioning into school administration. Jennie enjoys spending time walking, cooking, and traveling with friends and family. She and her husband have two adult sons who have over 12 stamps in their passports from a life of fulfilling travel!
Donna Ferko
Director of Business & Finance
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Donna graduated with a BA in Psychology from Lock Haven University. Her career spans several industries in which she held key leadership roles in Healthcare Finance Administration, Education Directorship, and HR Operations. Currently residing in Alexandria, VA, she maintains that wherever she travels or lives, she has not forgotten her roots…and consequentially maintains a life-time supply of Hershey’s Chocolate. During her free time, Donna enjoys horseback riding, sailing/boating, tennis, swimming and her latest adventure - pickleball.
Melissa Wintz-Dykstra
Community Engagement and Developmental Support Specialist
Melissa grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved with her family to the DMV area in 2023. She obtained her Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University and has worked in the world of child development for over 15 years as a special education teacher, behavior analyst, and consultant across home, community, residential, and therapeutic settings. She joined the Fiore community as a parent and is thrilled to join the administrative team. In her free time Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. She is an avid reader and a former athlete – field hockey! – who still enjoys long walks and an occasional run.
Gloria Karasick
Office Coordinator
Gloria grew up in Barcelona where she studied fashion and developed a keen eye for beautiful design. She has been at Fiore since 2020 and she loves to travel and collect jewelry from around the world. Gloria and her husband raised their daughter with a traveler’s spirit and she now resides in France where she is studying for her master’s in international strategies and diplomacy. In her free time Gloria enjoys reading and relaxing at home with her husband and their five cats!
Pedagogical Council
Pedagogical Council Members are Montessori-trained experts for ages 0-3, 3-6, and 6-15 who collaborate with and coach Fiore’s Guides on how to best support the developmental paths of each child toward success in the classroom environment. By way of regular oversight, observations, assessment and feedback, they make recommendations, offer resources, guidance and new techniques, and lead professional development for our faculty to help Fiore children reach their full potential.
Nicole Barba
Nicole received a Master’s in Education from Loyola University, MD and is certified in AMI 0-3 from The Montessori Institute in Denver, CO. She has worked with the 0-3 group for over 10 years, including running a Baby and Me course for parents.
Sandra Caraballo
Sandra has a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from Florida International University, a Masters in Education from Loyola University and is AMI Primary certified from Washington Montessori Institute in Maryland. She is a veteran of the United States Army, and has worked with young children for over 15 years. She joined Fiore in 2015 and plays an integral role in and out of the classroom. Sandra enjoys reading, interior design, and hands-on projects, from organizing and transforming spaces to creating and building things. Her faith and time spent with her family are important parts of her life. She lives in Vienna along with her husband and children.
Michele Hutchinson
Michele has nearly 30 years of experience as a Montessori guide and administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Planning and Health Psychology from the University of Rochester, two Montessori teaching diplomas, and a Master of Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis.
Guides
Estefanía Funes
Nido Guide
EstefanÃa, also known as Stefi, was born and raised in California and recently moved to Virginia to pursue her teaching career as a Nido guide. Stefi is bilingual in English & Spanish and has been working with children for almost 10 years. She is certified AMI 0-3 from The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado. She has 6 years of experience working with infants in a Montessori classroom. Stefi likes to go thrifting, spend time with her cat Lemon and is excited to explore the East Coast. She is happy to be part of the Fiore family and develop relationships with staff, parents and children.
Diana Goshorn
Toddler Guide
Diana is a native of Colombia, South America. She received a Masters in Education from Loyola University, Maryland and is certified AMI 0-3 from The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado. She has over 25 years of experience working with children under the age of 3 and has worked in a Montessori classroom over a decade. Diana loves to spend time with her husband of 25 years and enjoys creating art in her free time. Diana is a joyful and loving person who yearns to give back to the world through sharing her experience and knowledge of Montessori.
Kate Ward
Toddler Guide
Kate is a mother, daughter, sister, wife, and aunt and has been working with children for over 15 years. She owns a Master’s degree from Loyola University Maryland in Montessori Teacher Education and earned her undergrad degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nebraska. After leaving her home state of Nebraska, she moved to New York and started her own premium in-home childcare business which lasted for 10 years. This began her love for the East coast. After more exploration, she moved to D.C. to follow her passion for teaching. This is where she discovered and fell in love with Montessori. Kate has been a Toddle Guide for 12 years. Kate loves spending time with her family and friends, including a passion for sports (watching and playing) especially baseball --Go Nats and college football Go Huskers! She loves running, being outside, swimming, and baking. Kate and her husband love spending time with their four children.
Iyanna Harris
Toddler Guide
Iyanna completed her AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) training through the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI), where she deepened her understanding of infant and toddler development and the Montessori approach to supporting independence, movement, language, and the whole child. She has worked with young children extensively in both classroom and private childcare settings, and is passionate about child development and family systems support in these earliest years. She loves preparing vegan recipes, baking, and taking care of her two snails.
Perla Britez
Toddler Guide
Perla was born and raised in Paraguay. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and earned her AMI Assistants to Infancy (0–3) certification at the Montessori Institute in Mexico City. She has worked with children for over 14 years, including more than 4 years of experience in Montessori communities in both Colombia and the United States. During this time, she has supported toddlers (1–3) as well as primary children (3–6). She is married and proud to have a beautiful daughter. In her free time, Perla enjoys music, art, and taking walks with her family.
Erika Heikkinen
Primary Guide
Erika received her AMI Primary training from the Washington Montessori Institute in MD. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies with a minor in French from Juniata College as well as a Master of Education in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. Erika has worked with young children in various settings for most of her adult life and, as a former Montessori student herself, is passionate about the importance of joy in learning and using education as a tool for peace. She is the child of two professional musicians and is thrilled to share her love of music with the children in her classroom. In her spare time, Erika enjoys walking with her dog, playing her ukulele, and exploring with her nephews.
Meagan Healy
Primary Guide
Aimee Miller
Primary Guide
Daiane Seehusen
Primary Guide
Meagan has learned the values of patience, open communication, and of guiding a practice through her previous career in commercial art and children's animation. Watching her nephew thrive at Fiore helped her to make the decision to enter the field of Montessori education! She received her AMI primary training and her Master’s in Education at the Washington Montessori Institute. Her priorities are safety, love and compassion, and exploration. She looks forward to new adventures with the children, families, and staff at Fiore!
Aimee grew up in Recife, Brazil and Takoma Park, Maryland. She studied Education, Visual Art and Psychology at Scripps College for her undergraduate degree. She received her AMI Primary diploma from Washington Montessori Institute and has worked in DC and MD Montessori schools since 2016. Aimee enjoys nature walks, live music, sketching, and spending time with her husband and her pets.
Daiane is passionate about working with children to enable them to develop independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Arizona State University and completed her AMI Primary (3–6) Diploma through the Washington Montessori Institute. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family, cooking, sewing, exploring nature, and taking on creative DIY projects.
Tara Kibler
Elementary Guide
Tara has a deep-rooted passion for the Montessori method, and for understanding the science behind it. She first became acquainted with Montessori as a 2-year old and was a Montessori student through age 12. Later, she attended the University of Rochester where she studied the science of learning, motivation, and spoken and written language acquisition. She graduated with a dual Bachelor's in Linguistics and Psychology and a minor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. In 2017, she completed the AMI Elementary Training at the Washington Montessori Institute and received her Master's in Elementary Education from Loyola University Maryland. Outside of the classroom, you may find her getting lost in historical fiction, dabbling in various creative outlets, or attempting to master the art of raising a toddler.
Carly Jongema
Elementary Guide
Carly is a native of Northern New Jersey and has been living in Virginia since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Arts Management with an emphasis in dance from Belhaven University and a Masters of Elementary Education from Loyola University in Maryland. Carly began her Montessori journey in 2012 working at a Montessori school in Philadelphia, first as a substitute in both toddler and Children's House and then as an administrative assistant. In 2015, she began her AMI Elementary training through The Washington Montessori Institute, completing training in 2016. Carly has experience leading both 6-12, lower and upper elementary classes. She enjoys bringing her love of the arts literature, history, and gardening to the communities she leads. When not in the classroom, she spends time with her husband and two young children.
Andrew Riddile
Adolescent Guide
Program Coordinator
Jane Millet
Adolescent Guide
Science Expert
David Elkin
Adolescent Guide
Mathematics Expert
After earning both his Master's in Education and Bachelor's in English at Virginia Tech, Andrew taught English Language Arts for over a decade at the secondary level. More recently, he studied the Montessori approach to education, and received the AMI Primary and Adolescent Diplomas to add to his credentials. Ever since he welcomed his first students to the classroom, he has been wholly committed to each individual’s intellectual growth, innate curiosity, and fundamental desire to make positive, meaningful contributions to the world. After enrolling his daughter in a Montessori school, he quickly became enamored with its unique approach to education. Outside of work, Andrew loves to spend time with his wife, three young children, and their menagerie of dogs, cats, and hens.
Ms. Milette has more than 30 years of teaching experience working with elementary, middle school, high school, and college students. She is passionate about helping students discover the excitement of mathematics and science through hands-on exploration, creative problem-solving, and curiosity-driven learning experiences. She holds master's degrees in Biology and Montessori Education, a bachelor's in Biology and Physics, and is a certified Virginia Extension Master Gardener. We are pleased to have her as part of our Junior High expert faculty.
Dr. Elkin has more than 30 years of teaching experience with middle school, high school, and undergraduate college students. Holding multiple degrees in physics and bringing professional experience from organizations including Northrop Grumman, NASA, and the Space Telescope Science Institute, he has taught mathematics and science extensively. He enjoys helping students discover the excitement of these subjects through hands-on exploration, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. We are pleased to have him as part of our Junior High expert faculty.
Anjali Lipman
Adolescent
Art Instructor
Adriana Lievano
Adolescent
Spanish Instructor
Community Partnerships
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Potomac Vegetable Farms
1st Stage Theater
Athletic Potential Studio
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