MSNV STAFF PROFILES 2007-2008

Betsy Mitchell – Head of School Betsy received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from George Washington University in 1971. She taught for two years in the Prince George’s County Public School System before coming to MSNV as a classroom assistant to former elementary teacher, Harvey Hallenberg. After several years of volunteer involvement as a parent and Board member at MSNV, Betsy was hired as our Head of School in 1985. She has three grown children, all of whom attended MSNV.

Margaret Masters – Business Manager Margaret started working at MSNV in June 2000. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. She has twenty one years of experience working in the accounting field. At MSNV, Margaret handles billing, financials, budgeting, payroll, health and safety, and human resources. She has two children who graduated from MSNV and her oldest child is currently attending a Montessori farm school in Ohio.

Oanh Tran – Office Manager Oanh began working at MSNV in 2003. She handles a myriad of office responsibilities including support of staff and faculty and is invaluable for the success of everyday operations at MSNV. Oanh is a graduate of George Mason University, with a B.A. in Integrative Studies in Social Work. She brings numerous administrative skills to the job as well as experience as a teaching assistant in a Montessori school. Oanh’s son is in the primary class at MSNV.

Beth Bell-Leresche – Admissions Director Beth has been employed as the Admissions Director with MSNV since July 2005. With a degree in International Relations from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service she worked for 20 years in the immigration and refugee fields. She is now working on her master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. She also has experience teaching theatre, including at MSNV where she co-teaches the summer theatre camps and the drama club. Beth has two children, one of whom currently attends MSNV.

Ariadne Allan Autor – Director of Development and Parent Fundraising Committee Coordinator Ari manages alumni relations and development for MSNV while also coordinating parent fundraising volunteers. A parent of two MSNV students, one in elementary and the other in the primary class, Ari has served as room parent, fundraising chair, MSNV Board member, and School Growth Committee volunteer. She graduated from Smith College with a B.A. degree in Government and has continued her involvement with Smith alumnae outreach and annual giving campaigns. Prior to the birth of her sons, Ari worked in television journalism, developing, writing, and producing television documentaries for PBS. She has been teaching ballet for six years in the city of Falls Church, where she was a founding instructor in their recreation and parks ballet program.

Tina Savage – Pre Primary Teacher Tina attended a Montessori school from age 2-12. After graduating from George Washington University with a degree in Liberal Arts and Speech Communication, she completed her Primary Montessori training at The Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C. Tina has worked in many different capacities in Montessori schools since her teens and has been teaching at MSNV since 1998. She has four children, all of whom attended Montessori.

Denise Furst – Pre Primary Assistant Denise has worked at MSNV since 1999 after entering the school initially as a parent. She has a background in physical therapy and massage, but prefers being in the pre primary class with the children. Denise is married and has a fourteen year old son. She likes to travel, read and cook for her family.

Janine Labak – Primary Teacher Janine earned her undergraduate degree and her Masters in Social Work in California. She completed her Montessori Certificate at the New England Montessori Education Center in Boston. Before moving to Virginia, she taught at two different Montessori schools in Connecticut and then began working at MSNV in 1998 – first as Admissions Director; substitute teacher and summer camp teacher before returning to her love of teaching. She has two children, both who attended Montessori through grade school.

Rachel Romano – Primary Teacher Rachel has worked at MSNV since 1993 in many different capacities including that of teacher in extended day and summer camp. She completed her Montessori training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies at the Barrie School in Wheaton, Maryland in 2000. Rachel’s fourteen year old daughter attended MSNV. Rachel loves children and art.

Jared Oerke – Primary Teacher Jared studied Special Education at the University of Virginia and completed his Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Loyola College, Maryland. He received his Montessori training at The Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College. Before joining the staff at MSNV in 1998, Jared worked at The Virginia Discovery Museum, taught in a Charlottesville preschool, and worked at a Montessori school in Washington, D.C.

Pat Landry – Primary Teacher Pat has been an early childhood educator for the last 15 years. She taught pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and served as a resource teacher for private schools in Arlington. Pat received her teaching certificate after completing additional graduate work in reading at the University of Virginia. Before pursuing her teaching credentials, Pat worked as a corporate trainer. Pat is currently enrolled in the Montessori teacher certification program at the Montessori Institute of Northern Virginia and is completing her internship here at MSNV. Pat and her husband live in Arlington and have two grown children.

Laura Portch – Primary Teacher Originally an art major in school, Laura has worked with children since 1986. She has been employed with MSNV since 1990, as a teacher in the All Day Montessori Program, a teacher assistant and now as a primary teacher. She obtained her Montessori training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies at the Barrie School in Wheaton, Maryland in 2000. Laura’s two children currently attend MSNV, one in elementary and one in primary. She is a flautist and a Suzuki flute teacher and loves history and Irish culture.

Heidi Bishop – Primary Teacher Heidi came to MSNV in the fall of 2006. She received her BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Preschool Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a Montessori assistant for 6 years before obtaining her Montessori training from the National Center for Montessori Education in Bellevue, Washington. Since then, she has taught in various capacities, including three years in Germany and two years in Japan. Prior to coming to MSNV Heidi taught at Accotink Academy for three years. Heidi has three children.

Jean Carr – Primary Teacher Jean has worked at MSNV since 1993. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in Washington and a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Oregon. She taught special education in public school before she received her Primary Montessori training through Southwestern Texas Montessori Training Institute. Jean developed and taught a state-accredited Montessori kindergarten program, developed and taught enrichment programs for students in kindergarten through grade 3 and has taught at the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins. Jean has six children and three grandchildren.

Tracy Rigo – Primary Teacher Starting out as a Marine Biology major, Tracy has a varied work history, including employment in the management and customer service industries. Tracy began her work with MSNV in the All Day Montessori Program in the fall of 2005 and now is a teacher in the Primary class. Tracy is nearing completion of her Montessori training course at the Northeast Montessori Institute in Ashburn, Virginia. Tracy has two children, both who currently attend MSNV.

Cammy Russell – Elementary Teacher Cammy has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in Anthropology and Biology and is certified to teach both upper and lower Montessori elementary. Before being introduced to the Montessori philosophy, she assisted in summer school classes and substituted in the public school system and then taught for two years at Hockessin Montessori School in Delaware. Cammy started working at MSNV in 2002 and is a dedicated member of the elementary team.

Leslie Campbell – Elementary Teacher/Intern This is Leslie’s first year at MSNV. Leslie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in Anthropology and is currently studying for her Montessori certificate at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies at the Barrie School in Wheaton, Maryland. She spent the entire year last year teaching English as a Second Language to middle and high school students in JiuJiang, Jiangxi Province, China. She also spent three summers at Hiram House Camp working as a counselor with Cleveland youth. She enjoys poker, the outdoors and traveling.

Julie Clarke – Elementary Teacher Julie received her B.A. from the Kirkland College (now known as Hamilton College) in Clinton, New York. She followed her child to a Montessori school and proceeded to obtain her AMS certification for both upper and lower elementary from Seacoast Center, Stratham, NH. She taught nine years in an Elementary classroom in Massachusetts before joining the staff at MSNV in 2002. She enjoys singing in her church choir and has been involved in community theatre. She and her husband, Dave, have two grown sons, both of whom attended a Montessori school in Massachusetts during their elementary years.

Catharina Jacknow – Elementary Teacher Catharina received her Montessori training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Maryland in 2007. Her work in Montessori education began as a child, when she attended Montessori from the age of 18 months to 7 years. She came to MSNV in 2000 when the eldest of her two sons began as a primary student. She graduated from George Mason University with a BA in English and Studio Art. Before joining MSNV, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a writer, editor, and website designer.

Kofi Dennis – Drama Kofi is an early childhood education specialist who studied creative dramatics at the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, and brings interactive storytelling, drama and creative movement to MSNV. As a master artist with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, Kofi trains new Institute teaching artists and offers workshops and professional development to child-care providers and pre-school teachers around the country. Kofi has been part of the duo, Anansegromma of Ghana, which has shared West African culture in area venues since 1995. Kofi has three daughters, one of whom is currently in the elementary class at MSNV.

Ingrid Fol – Spanish Teacher Ingrid taught horseback riding for 14 years before and while obtaining her college degree in Topography in Belgium. She worked as a topographer for more than 5 years before she moved to Argentina in 1995. There she lived with her Argentinean husband and two children for 7 years before moving to the U.S. in 2002. Her two daughters both attended MSNV and her son Inigo has joined the Pre Primary class this year. Ingrid loves working with children and speaking different languages, being fluent in Dutch, Spanish, English and French.

Maria Franzini – Music Teacher Maria holds a Bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in Richmond, IN and a Master of Music degree from George Mason University. She has been teaching early childhood music and piano for almost 10 years. Maria has taught at Providence Montessori School in Lexington, KY, Jordan Kitt’s Music, the Levine School of Music, and is a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist. Maria has an 18-month-old son, who she hopes will enter MSNV next year!

Other staff includes a P.E. teacher, Extended Day Director, teachers and assistants and an all-around amazing handy man.