Management & Administration
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 10 and 12, and live in Vienna, VA. She is a committed Iyengar Yoga student and enjoys playing Bridge.
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.
Sandra Caraballo
Director of Operations
Becky Myers-Pollock
Parent Communications
Becky received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and received her Masters of Education from Loyola University. She is an AMI trained Montessori Guide for children ages 3 - 6 and had 7 years of experience in the classroom. Currently, she lives in Washington, D.C. along with her husband. When she is not at school, Becky enjoys going on hikes with her dog, exploring the city and visiting family in Pennsylvania.
Gabriela Huertero
Office Coordinator
Gabriela was born in El Salvador and moved to USA 5 years ago, she has worked with children for 4 years, especially with ages 2 to 6 years. She enjoys cooking and going for walks, but most enjoys spending quality time with her young son.
Sailini Lohia
Head of School
Sandeep Lohia
Strategic Head
Kelly is originally from New York, but now lives in Reston with her husband, daughter, and cat. 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 5 years and thoroughly enjoys working with families. In her downtime, Kelly enjoys watching movies, spending time outside, baking, and watching her daughter grow more everyday.
Kelly McDermott
Director of Enrollment
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 has served in the United States Army, and has worked with young children for over 5 years. Sandra greatly enjoys being outdoors, woodworking and interior design. She lives in McLean along with her husband and daughter.
Sanja Kovac
Executive Assistant to the
Head of School
Sanja has vast experience in the corporate world, from banks to global management consulting firms to not-for-profits. She specialized in partnering with C-level executives to build strong corporate cultures based on mutual trust and respect. Sanja has always been very fond of children and is very excited to join our Fiore. She believes in Urie Bronfenbrenner's quote: " Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.” She has two grown children and was promoted to Grandma when Filip was born.
Guides
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 for 9 years. Diana loves to spend time with her husband of 21 years.They ride bikes, watch movies, and go for long drives! She enjoys art, has taken some drawing courses, and even produced a few charcoal pieces. Diana is a joyful and loving person who yearns to give back to the world through sharing her experience and knowledge of Montessori.
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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.
Andy completed his AMI Primary certification at the Washington Montessori Institute. After earning both his Master's in Education and Bachelor's in English at Virginia Tech, he taught English Language Arts for over a decade at the secondary level. 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, Andy loves to spend time with his wife, three young children, and their menagerie of dogs, cats, and hens.
Andy Riddile
Primary Guide
Maryam Farooq Abdulla
Primary Guide
Kris Ramos
Elementary Guide
Bella Gomez
Toddler Assistant
Bella has worked in early childhood education for over three years. She was previously an assistant toddler guide at a Montessori school in Nashville, Tennessee. She is passionate about guiding children towards being helpful members of society and furthering her Montessori education. Bella recently moved to Maryland and, thanks to the beltway, has enjoyed re-learning how to drive. She grew up with three younger brothers and a dog nearby at all times. In her free time she enjoys exploring with her friends and playing with her cat, Evie.
Maria Velez
Toddler Spanish Speaking Assistant
Maria is originally from Colombia where she studied early childhood education. She currently lives in Maryland and is excited to continue to learn more about the Montessori philosophy and child development. Before working at Fiore, Maria was a nanny for a number of families. When she is not at Fiore, she loves nature and enjoys going to the beach, watching soccer, reading, and eating delicious food!
Ramos received his AMI training at Montessori Northwest Institute and completed the Masters of Education program at Loyola University in Baltimore. He was delighted to explore how Montessori cosmic education allowed the union of his experience as an outdoor educator with his love of and Bachelors degree in History/adolescent education. After completing his AMI Elementary training, he moved to Seattle where he worked as a Lead Guide at a Montessori school for four years while also creating an outdoor education program from scratch. Outside of work, Ramos loves hiking, reading, and watching/playing soccer.
Viviana Rubiano
Primary Spanish-Speaking Assistant
Viviana is originally from Bogotá, Colombia and received her A.A.S. magma cum lauded in 2016. She has worked with young children for more than 10 years. She has completed the AMI Primary Assistant training and is currently training to be an AMI guide. She enjoys arts and crafts, and the Montessori approach to learning and development.
Gloria Karasick
Office Coordinator
Gloria was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to Barcelona, Spain to attend college where she studied Fashion Design. She and her husband have lived in Spain, California, Florida, Canada and are now settled in Vienna, Virginia. Gloria has a teenage daughter who attended a Montessori school in her formative years. Gloria is passionate about her family, animals and traveling.
Fiore Staff
Evelyn Vargas
Toddler Guide
Evelyn was born in Ecuador. She has a B.A Degree in Education Science and has been working with children for over 12 years. Evelyn completed the AMI Assistants course (Infant 0 - 3) and is currently completing her guides training. Evelyn used to work in another Montessori school before coming to Fiore. She is passionate about working in the development of education for children. In her spare time she likes to dance, cook, and go hiking with her husband. Evelyn also recently welcomed her son, Andrew into the family!
Garth Mramor
Elementary Guide
Garth recieved his AMI training at the Montessori Institute of San Diego, and completed the first of his Masters at Loyola University in Baltimore. He began his teaching career right after college, working as an English teacher at two French grade schools, and he continued a year later at a farm school in Montana, where he led a primary class. After completing his AMI Elementary training, he moved to New Mexico, where he served as a Guide at a nature-based Montessori school. When not at work, Garth spends his time reading.
Meybi Vasquez
Primary Spanish Speaking Assistant
Meybi was born in El Salvador, and came to Virginia at the age of 7. She lives in Fairfax with her family. She has 6 siblings, and enjoys spending her free time with them. She also enjoys cooking and running. She previously worked in a Montessori school with toddlers and currently attends George Mason University pursuing a bachelors degree in elementary education.
Naomy Turcios
Toddler Spanish Speaking Assistant
Naomy is originally from Honduras and also lived part of her life in Nicaragua pursuing her Psychology degree. When the pandemic started, she put her college career on hold and learned about the Montessori method while working at a Montessori school. She recently got married and moved to the United States, where she lives with her husband and their puppy. During the weekends she enjoys baking, camping and hiking with her little family.
Maryam Abdulla received her Bachelors of International Studies from University of Technology in Bahrain and Teaching Qualification from Bahrain Teachers College. In addition, she is training to become an AMI Montessori Primary Guide at Manama Montessori. Throughout her teaching career, she worked with a variety of grade levels and divisions. She is a dedicated educator who believes in the importance of education. In the classroom, Maryam strives to create an environment that fosters learning and allows students to dream, develop, and grow. She was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Bahrain. Maryam enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and exploring new cities.
Iyanna Harris
Toddler Assistant
Classroom Assistants
Jocelyn Aranda
Primary Spanish-Speaking
Assistant
Nikki Dave
Primary Assistant
Jocelyn is from Chile and has lived in Virginia for the past three years. She is completing the AMI primary assistants training and previously worked as a nail technician. When she is not at school, she loves to craft. She makes weaves, crochets, knits, and makes handmade resin jewelry. However, her favorite thing is spending quality time with her son.
Ruby Gonzalez
Primary Spanish-Speaking
Assistant
Lizette Calaro
Elementary Assistant and Spanish Teacher
Elena Apodaca
Elementary Assistant and Spanish Teacher
Lizette lives with her two sons and husband in northern Virginia. She has been working with young children for over 7 years and has been with Fiore since 2013. She is a trained primary and elementary assistant from the Washington Montessori Institute. Lizette has learned through experience with her own son the impact that learning disabilities can have on a child and the impact that Montessori can have in assisting a child to navigate non-standard circumstances. She brings a heightened patience level with all children from her experience. She enjoys cooking, being outside, and has learned to knit with her two boys.
Maria Velasquez
Floater/Support Staff
Natalie De La Cruz
Support Staff & Elementary After School
Maria moved to Virginia at the age of 11. She has been working in a Montessori environment since the age of 17. She is currently attending George Mason University and working towards a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. She enjoys working in a Montessori environment because she loves watching children gain independence and confidence and excel in their unique ways. She loves coming into work knowing everyday will not be the same! In her free time, Maria enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time in Nature
Amanda Diab
Support Staff
Elena is a Spanish Teacher with 6 years of experience working with preschool through six grade students. She received her Bachelors in Economics and Latin American Studies in México. She recently moved from Boston, MA to Northern Virginia. What Elena enjoys the most about teaching is sharing the richness, color, and joy of the Hispanic culture, traditions, and Spanish language with children. When she's not at school she enjoys spending time with her family, reading books, drinking coffee, and watching the rain. She also enjoys visiting new places with her husband, two kids, and their beagle.
Amanda received a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia and both an MBA and an MSIS from Boston University. Her deep interest in the Montessori approach was inspired more than ten years ago, when her first child began at Fiore, and Amanda is currently working towards her AMI 0 to 3 certification at the Washington Montessori Institute. She lives in Vienna with her husband and their three children.
Nikki has been working in Montessori classrooms for the past 6 years as both an assistant and as a guide. She was born in India and was first introduced to Montessori by her mother. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advance Accounting and an advance diploma in Advertising and Graphic Design. Her work has been published in Origami USA and on the National Geographic Education website. Her favorite thing that she learned through the Montessori philosophy is about how the absorbent mind of the young child.
School Support Staff
Natalie is a California native who fell in love with the east coast. Currently, she lives in Washington, D.C. along with her dog. Natalie received her Bachelor of Arts in History and received her Masters of Art in Teaching. She is a newly emerging educator that is looking forward to furthering her ability in learning and teach. When she is not at school, Natalie enjoys going on walks with her dog, exploring the nearby cities, and enjoying the food culture around the DMV.
Ruby moved to Northern Virginia from Dallas, Texas. She has previously worked in the healthcare field and as a nanny. She also has experience teaching Spanish to children. Ruby is excited to be a part of our school community and has become passionate about the Montessori method based on her time at Fiore. In her free time, Ruby enjoys listening to podcasts, learning new recipes, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with her family.
Meagan Healy
Support Staff
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 is currently completing 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!
Iyanna has lived in Virginia her whole life and has been working with children for the last four years. She particularly enjoys watching children grow and develop. Iyanna loves learning and looks forward to continuing to learn more about the Montessori philosophy at Fiore. When she is not at school, Iyanna enjoys spending time with her partner, reading books, and trying new vegan recipes.
Jacqueline Garcia
Support Staff
Jackie is from Chile and has previous experience as an elementary and middle school teacher. She has experience working with children who have various learning difficulties and enjoys meeting each child where they are. She enjoys painting and singing and is excited for her work in the primary classroom!