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 two-room school house feels like home: small and cozy, yet with a large, spacious classroom space. We truly have the best of both worlds. Come visit us and feel it for yourself!
Exterior
Exterior of Shenandoah Montessori school showing the multipurpose room (left) and classroom (right).
Coat Room
The multipurpose room has coat cubbies and a library corner.
Classroom
Our large, open classroom has large windows that let in lots of natural light.
Language Shelves
The Montessori curriculum is spread out on shelves around the classroom.
Language Shelves
Sandpaper letters and additional language materials.
Practical Life
Shelves are low and materials are inviting.
Geography Shelf
Our science and geography curriculum introduces the children to the diversity of our planet.
Playground
Children play outside before and after lunch and once again in the late afternoon.
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 18 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.
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.
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.
Erica Meade
Montessori Assistant Teacher
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.
Testimonials
What Parents are Saying
"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."
"Karen is an exceptional Montessori teacher. She’s super organized, creative, and has great classroom management skills, and follows the Montessori philosophy closely.
She taught all 3 of my girls for 3 years in a Primary classroom. They were happy and excited for school every day. They were all able to read before 1st grade and had no trouble transitioning to public school.
I highly recommend Karen. She’s patient, kind, and respectful to the kids and she’s a really good person too."
"When considering preschool options, we knew we wanted our children to benefit from the Montessori method. Little did we know we’d be lucky enough to find Karen.
During their years in Karen’s classroom, both of our children developed their love for learning. Each day, they were eager to enter the warm and nurturing environment she had created. She always knew when to present them with new material versus when to let them just explore their environment.
Now that our children are in elementary school, we know that their academic confidence is thanks to their time spent in Karen’s classroom."
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.