About Us
Who We AreLearn more about our mission, our classroom space, and our team of teacher, lead by an AMS certified teacher with over 20 years of experience.
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 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.
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.
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 / Montessori Teacher
Ms. Karen has been a Montessori teacher for over 20 years. For 15 of those years she served as the Assistant Director of a small Montessori school in Reston, Virginia. She received her BA in English from George Mason University and her Early Childhood Montessori Credentials from the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies.
Ms. Karen lives in Winchester with her husband of 19 years, their 3 children, and 2 dogs, Reese and Butters. She loves to garden and enjoys sitting on the front porch in any kind of weather.
Erica Meade
Assistant Director
Ms. Erica graduated from Berkeley Springs High School and has worked with children ever since. She has worked in childcare for 26 years, but also volunteered in the headstart classroom before graduating. She loves children and working with them.
Sandy Iacovone
Montessori Assistant Teacher
Ms. Sandy’s interest in Montessori education started while she was a part-time nanny for children in a local Montessori program. Eventually she received her BS in Education from Cleveland State University and moved from teaching into an administrative role in a Montessori teacher’s association and training center. She worked as an office manager in a progressive private school while also guiding the students in planning weekly outings to DC.
Ms. Sandy met her husband in high school. They now live in Inwood with their son and dog. She enjoys reading books, watching thrillers, and attempting to be crafty.
Linda Demarest
Montessori Assistant Teacher
Ms. Linda has been a Teaching Assistant for ten years in Winchester Public Schools for grades kindergarten through fourth. Five of those years were working with Special Education students. Previously, she taught first grade in a private school in Falls Church, VA.
She received her BS in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. She enjoys working with children and observing their curiosity with the world.
Ms. Linda has two grown daughters and lives in Winchester with her husband of 30 years. She enjoys yoga, walking and cooking for her family.
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!!!"
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.