Faculty

Erick V. Gallegos
Lower Elementary Teacher

Erick V. Gallegos

Lower Elementary Teacher

B.S., University of Tennessee
M.B.A., George Washington University
University of Virginia School of Education
Education Specialist
Montessori Certified AMS Lower and Upper Elementary

Isata Williams
Primary Teacher

Bio

Isata Williams

Primary Teacher

B.A., Ashford University
M.A., Ashford University
Barrie School, Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD
Montessori Certified AMS Primary

Lauren Cornuet
Upper Elementary Teacher

Bio

Lauren Cornuet

Upper Elementary Teacher

B.A., Old Dominion University

Jennifer Rea
Primary Teacher

Bio

Jennifer Rea

Primary Teacher

Barrie School, Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD
Montessori Certified AMS Primary

Sylvia Wertz
Primary Teacher

Bio

Sylvia Wertz

Primary Teacher

Virginia Commonwealth University

Barrie School, Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD

Lillian Velazquez
Spanish Teacher

Bio

Lillian Velazquez

Spanish Teacher

B.A. Education, University of Puerto Rico

AMS Certification, Center for Montessori Teacher Education North Carolina

Kimberly Godinez
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Kimberly Godinez

Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Alejandra Ordonez
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Alejandra Ordonez

Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Ms. Alejandra joined the Cardinal Montessori School team in August 2022. She earned her degree in Psychology from the University of La Sabana in Colombia. Before moving to Virginia, Alejandra worked in Human Resources in different multinational companies. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, trying new foods and working out.

Dorothy Roxas
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Dorothy Roxas

Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Sandra Garcia
Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)

Bio

Sandra Garcia

Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)

Carol Wong
Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)

Bio

Carol Wong

Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)

Ms. Carol earned her degree in Law and Political Science at the University of Lima, Peru. She started working in Montessori School 20 years ago. Throughout all these years she has worked with all ages of children. She likes to workout every day and travel around the world.

Dessire Ritzer
Teacher Assistant (Upper Elementary)

Bio

Dessire Ritzer

Teacher Assistant (Upper Elementary)
Ms. Dessire joined Cardinal Montessori School in 2018 working as a teacher assistant for Mrs. Benzi in her primary classrooms, followed by Mrs. Rea's primary classroom. In 2023, she started working in Upper Elementary as an assistant teacher for Ms. Cornuet. Ms. Dessire received her degree in Science and Letters with an emphasis in Accounting from William H. Kilpatrick Institute. She continued her studies and obtained a bachelors in Political Science and Law from the University of Panama. She has a Masters in Accusatory Criminal System obtained at the University of UDELAS, and practiced as a criminal lawyer in her country of Panama before moving to the United States. During her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, traveling, spending time with friends and riding horses.

Theresa Higuera
Assistant Director

Bio

Theresa Higuera

Assistant Director

Carla Otero
Front Desk

Bio

Carla Otero

Front Desk

Ms. Carla joined the Cardinal Montessori School team in July 2023. She earned her degree in Political Science and International Relations with a concentration in Global Security and Diplomacy from Simmons University in Boston, MA. Before moving to Virginia, Carla worked in higher education working multiple roles ranging from admissions counselor to director of performing arts. When not at CMS, she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, reading, traveling and eating all types of food.