Aishwarya Anand

Montessori Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 5 

Aishwarya Anand has over 10 years of experience in Montessori teaching. She earned her Montessori certification in India in addition to a BA in Economics and Masters in Business Administration. Aishwarya joined the VMS team in Fall 2022. She enjoys working at VMS with its peaceful environment. The teachers are truly devoted to the children’s wellbeing.

Aish enjoys her time with her family and her pet dog. Her other interests includes music, baking, photography, arts and crafts.

Montessori Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 4 

Ashley Castillo has been working at Village Montessori School since 2006.  She began as an aide intern in Magruder High School’s Child Development Program.  Ms Ashley graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Following graduation, Ashley became an assistant teacher, and has recently completed the American Montessori Society certification as a Primary Teacher.

Ashley grew up in Montgomery County with her parents, older brother, and beloved pets.  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, and exploring nature.  Ashley is married and has two children, two cats, and a dog.

Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 5 

Chloe Blair Davis is a a classroom support aide at VMS, soon to be a classroom support teacher.  She was born at Fort Campbell KY, a proud military brat. Later in life, she graduated from the illustrious campus of Morgan State University.  Her hobbies include walking, watching anime and crafting.  She is a happy mother of one and is currently seeking her Medical Coding certification at Montgomery College.  Go Raptors!

Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 6 

Erika Velasquez began working at VMS as an aide in September 2022 and is now a licensed senior staff/teacher in Room 6.  Currently, she is attending Montgomery College for her associate's degree and plans to transfer to get a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. 

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, and traveling. 

Montessori Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 3 

Kamala has been interested in becoming a teacher since childhood. Her son went to Montessori school in India and she felt this was exactly what she had been looking for. After moving to the US, she took the American Montessori Society's Early Childhood training and has been teaching ever since then... over 17 years!

Away from school, Kamala loves to do pen and ink drawings, gardening, yoga and going for long walks. At home, she enjoys her time with her son, daughter (both Montessori kids) and husband.

Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 6 

Karen Perez began working at VMS in 2018 as an intern in Watkins Mill High School’s Child Development Program, starting off as a student aide and then earning her Senior Staff/Teacher credential.   She is currently a full time college student at Montgomery College.  During her free time, she likes to spend it with family and friends, hiking, dancing, and being with her bunny and puppy.  

Montessori Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 6 

Kellie Tomme has been working in childcare since 1986; she has been working at VMS since 1989.  She’s worn many different hats over the years at VMS: daycare aide, Montessori assistant teacher in both the Primary and Elementary programs, and Montessori teacher since 2012.  In addition, she leads both the daycare and summer programs at VMS.

Kellie has a son and three grandchildren, all of whom attend or have attended school at VMS.  She loves spending time with her family, working on projects around the house, and cooking.  Ms Kellie is a certified Montessori teacher.

Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 4 

Kim Ofei has been with VMS since 2001.  Originally from Texas, she moved to Maryland with her family as a teenager.  Kim is married and has two children who attended VMS.  In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, watch movies and engage in arts & crafts.  Kim holds a Senior Staff/Teacher credential. 

Classroom Support
Montessori Primary Program
Room 6 

Mariah Compean graduated from Gaithersburg High School, having completed the 90 hour Child & Adolescent Development certificate.  She joined VMS last spring and is gaining experience working with children with the intention of going back to school to work towards a degree in early childhood education.

In her spare time, Mariah enjoys reading and listening to music.

Teacher
Primary Montessori Program
Room 3 

Mirian Huerto Serrano, who hails from Peru, has been married for over 15 years and is mother to two beautiful daughters.  Mirian has worked with children since 1999 in Montessori classrooms and joined VMS in 2015.  She enjoys doing art and craft projects, and spends most of her free time with her lovely family and dog.  In addition to being a certified Senior Staff/Teacher, Mirian holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. 

Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 4 

Mirian Marin has over 8 years of experience as a traditional preschool teacher and two years as a Montessori support teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Originally from Colombia, she and her husband have a son and a dog.  Ms Mirian loves spending time with her family and friends watching movies and   exploring nature.  She also serves at church with the children, and enjoys seeing her son playing guitar at worship. 

Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 5 

Ricardo Castillo Cruz was born in El Salvador but raised in Gaithersburg.  He has been working in child care for over 5 years, but has been working with children since 2020.  When he began coaching soccer, Village Montessori School was one the first schools he taught at.  He thought the children were so great that he gravitated to the school and began working at VMS in 2018.  He is a graduate of Magruder High School and Montgomery College.  Mr Ricardo holds Senior Staff/Teacher credentials for both Early Childhood and Elementary levels.  He is currently working on earning a coaching license.

Ricardo enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, and watching a good movie.  He is married to his “beautiful wife Ms. Ashley Castillo, and have two amazing children together who are their world.”

Teacher
Montessori Primary Program
Room 3 

Shyrley Huerto was born in Peru and came to the US when she was 12 years old.  She fell in love with the Montessori method over 10 years ago and has been teaching ever since, with a break to have her two sons, who have both attended school at VMS.  Shyrley is credentialed as an Early Childhood Senior Staffer/Teacher and has completed the Infant/Toddler coursework.

In her free time, Ms Shyrley loves to take photos, and one day in the future, she hopes to become a professional photographer.