Our Mission
Curiosity & Creativity
Our Mission is to create an engaging educational environment that encourages curiosity and sparks creativity. Using the Montessori Method, we teach children to be independent learners who trust their abilities and embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
Our Vision
Children who love learning
Your child’s first school experience matters. At Shenandoah Montessori School we want that experience to set the stage for what’s to come: a lifetime journey of learning, discovery, and growth.
Young children are observant. They learn by watching and paying attention to every little detail happening around them. That’s why it’s so important that those details serve them and help them progress. They are listening to our words, watching our movements, and imitating us at every turn.
Our Vision is of a community of engaged learners who are respectful of one another, open to new ideas, and excited about going to school everyday.
Our Facilities
A Welcoming Environment that Puts Children First
When Dr. Maria Montessori opened her first school in Rome, Italy, she called it Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House. Everything inside was carefully planned with the child’s needs in mind. Dr. Montessori understood that there is a relationship between the Child, the Teacher, and the Prepared Environment.
The teacher prepares the environment for the child so that the child can interact independently with the environment. By making his or her own choices within the classroom, the child gains confidence and enjoys the learning process. The classroom becomes a home away from home.
Meet the team
our teachers
All staff members undergo a thorough background check, reference check, and are certified in CPR and First Aid. Our staff receives a minimum of 16 hours of training annually in a variety of topics relevant to the field of Early Childhood Education.
Karen Disney
Owner / Director / Primary Classroom - Montessori Teacher
Ms. Karen has dedicated over 24 years to Montessori education, with 15 of those years spent as Assistant Director at a small Montessori school in Reston, Virginia. She holds a B.A. in English from George Mason University and earned her Early Childhood Montessori credentials from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.
Opening her own school had long been a dream. After moving with her family to Winchester in 2018, she continued working part-time in Reston—until the pandemic in 2020 brought that chapter to a close. While homeschooling her children during that time, Ms. Karen realized it was the perfect moment to bring her vision to life. In February 2022, Shenandoah Montessori School opened its doors with just five children. Since then, she has found both joy and challenge in growing the program, connecting with families, and building strong ties within the local community.
Ms. Karen lives in Winchester with her husband of 21 years, their three children, and their beloved dogs—Reese, Butters, and Pepper. If she’s not in the classroom, she’s probably fighting back the weeds in her garden or listening to a true crime podcast.
Sandy Iacovone
Elementary Classroom - Teacher
Ms. Sandy discovered Montessori education while working as a nanny for children enrolled in a Montessori program, inspiring her to earn a B.S. in Education from Cleveland State University. She taught middle school in an inner-city district before moving into an administrative role with a national Montessori teacher’s association, organizing educator conferences and assisting at a Montessori training center in Cleveland.
After relocating to Northern Virginia, she worked at a progressive private school near D.C. as an office manager and program assistant. Following the birth of her son, she reconnected with Montessori through volunteer work at Shenandoah Montessori School (SMS) in 2022, quickly becoming a Primary classroom assistant.
Now supporting SMS’s expanding Elementary program, Ms. Sandy is training to become a certified Montessori Elementary teacher, with expected completion in July 2027. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and son, and enjoys reading, thrillers, thrifting, local events, and discovering new food spots—always with an iced coffee in hand.
Linda Demarest
Elementary Classroom - Assistant
Ms. Linda has been part of Shenandoah Montessori School since it opened its doors in 2022. She brings a wealth of experience from her ten years as a Teaching Assistant in Winchester Public Schools, where she supported students in kindergarten through fourth grade, including five years working with Special Education students. Prior to that, she taught first grade at a private school in Falls Church, Virginia.
Ms. Linda earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. She finds great joy in working with children and nurturing their natural curiosity about the world around them.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Linda enjoys practicing yoga, going for walks, and cooking for her family. She lives in Winchester with her husband of 30 years and is the proud mother of two grown daughters.
Erica Meade
Primary Classroom - Lead Assistant
Ms. Erica has worked with children for 28 years and has spent the past two years specializing in the Montessori approach. As Lead Assistant at Shenandoah Montessori School, she is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where children can grow with confidence, independence, and curiosity.
Ms. Erica lives in Berkeley Springs with her husband of 27 years, has two daughters and two grandchildren, and loves spending time with her family and doing crafts. Her passion for learning and nurturing children continues to inspire the care and dedication she brings to her work each day.
Sarah Crouse
Primary Classroom - Assistant
Ms. Sarah was born in Beckley, West Virginia, and currently resides in Hampshire County, WV. She began her career in child care in 2006 and worked in the field until 2022. Before joining Shenandoah Montessori School in 2024 as a Teaching Assistant, she worked for Frederick County Public Schools in both the cafeteria and as a Special Education aide.
Ms. Sarah brings many years of experience supporting children’s growth and development. She is known for her friendly demeanor and positive attitude, which help create a warm and welcoming environment for the children. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, attending car shows with her husband and daughter, and spending time with her family.
Abby White
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Abby grew up in Stephens City, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of Sherando High School. She is currently enrolled at Laurel Ridge Community College, where she is pursuing her interest in a career in education.
Abby has experience working with children of all ages—from infants to high schoolers—through her volunteer work and role as a Sunday School aide at her church, as well as through many years of babysitting.
In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, spending time with friends, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
Alette Kulisch
Aftercare Teacher / Substitute
Ms. Alette was born in California and grew up in New England. She graduated from James Wood High School in 2024 and is preparing to join the United States Air Force. With three younger sisters, she has always enjoyed caring for children and has gained valuable experience through babysitting, including for several families from SMS.
In her free time, Ms. Alette enjoys going to the gym, spending time outdoors, and attending concerts. Her positive energy, dependability, and enthusiasm for working with children make her a valued member of our school community.
Melissa Bloodgood
Office Assistant
Ms. Melissa grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. After meeting her husband, she moved west and spent time in both California and Washington State before settling in Virginia, where she has lived for the past five years with her spouse, two daughters, two stepdaughters, and two dogs.
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Ms. Melissa worked as a Family Life Advocate at a local homeless shelter, supporting families and strengthening community connections. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and learning to sew.
Testimonials
What Parents are Saying
"We've had an amazing experience with Shenandoah Montessori School. The staff is so dedicated, and the Montessori approach has really sparked our child's curiosity and love for learning. The community here is strong, and the teachers are both skilled and caring. We've seen such impressive growth in our child's academics and social skills. We can't recommend Shenandoah Montessori enough for an enriching and engaging education."
"We absolutely love SMS! Our kids have attended other schools/daycares—public, private, and Montessori—in two states and in multiple counties here in Virginia, and this is by far the best school experience we’ve had to date.
The teachers are knowledgeable, kind, respectful, and so incredibly good at what they do. As someone who has worked with children for two decades, I know it takes a certain kind of person to be able to approach kids day in and day out with patience, understanding, and JOY! So many teachers are jaded by stressful work environments and large class sizes, but not at SMS! They have strict student/teacher ratios they abide by to give our kids the attention and instruction they deserve.
We are so thankful for Karen and all the other teachers who work tirelessly to give our kids the most wonderful school experience parents could ask for."
"Our family has had a wonderful experience with Shenandoah Montessori School. My now four year old daughter is growing and learning so much because of the incredible support of her teachers and peers. Although she is timid, her classmates all greet her at morning drop off. When I walk in to the classroom to pick her up she is never sitting by herself. If she isn’t engaged with her peers, a teacher is always sitting with her. It makes me feel so good knowing she is developing life skills, making friends, and loving every minute of it.
Ms. Karen hosts parent education nights to make sure we understand what exactly the kids are learning and how, and ways that we can be supportive of the Montessori method at home. My favorite days of the year are the school picnics and bring a parent to school day. The reason my husband commutes so far for his new job is because we could not rationalize moving our daughter to a new school when she is so happy and thriving at Shenandoah Montessori. As a new parent I couldn’t ask for anything more for my daughter."
“Our family had the pleasure of being part of the vibrant community at Shenandoah Montessori School for the past two years, and feel grateful for the opportunity. Ms. Karen and her fellow teachers went above and beyond to ensure all of the children were provided with a rich educational and social experience each and every day. I would highly encourage your consideration of this wonderful program.”
"Shenandoah Montessori has an excellent program and such caring teachers. Our daughter is always happy to arrive in the morning and can’t wait to share her activities and questions since the day before. It’s wonderful to feel like the teachers and other children are an extension of our family."
"As one of the inaugural first class students, our daughter was blessed to get the focused attention and tailored learning of a small class taught by Montessori experts—so fortunate to be a part of the launch of the best, most effective early childhood education program available anywhere in the Winchester area!!!
Shenandoah Montessori School gave our daughter a community of pre-school children and families, right here in our local area, to provide her with a solid foundation for school, friendships and becoming part of her broader community. We are so grateful to have been a part of the Shenandoah Montessori School!!!"
Looking to the Future
Road to Accreditation
We have been an American Montessori Society (AMS) Member School since 2023. As part of our committment to providing an authentic Montessori experience for our students, families, staff, and community, we are participating in the AMS Pathway to Continuous School Improvement. This program works with schools who uphold the 5 core components of Montessori education and aspire to elevate their organization to be its best. Our goal is to be a fully accredited AMS school by the summer of 2028.
We participate in the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program. Eligible families can apply for tuition assistance through the Hope Scholarship website.
Book a Tour
Curious about Montessori? Looking for a childcare option that is educational, warm, and inviting? Come visit us and see if Shenandoah Montessori School is the right fit for your child.