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Faculty

Primary Classrooms (ages 3 - 6 years old)

Sandra Berganza

Sandra Berganza
Primary Teacher

Bio

Sandra Berganza

Sandra Berganza

Primary Teacher

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

Jennifer Rea

Jennifer Rea
Primary Teacher

Bio

Jennifer Rea

Jennifer Rea

Primary Teacher

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

Carol Wong

Carol Wong
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Carol Wong

Carol Wong

Teacher Assistant (Primary)

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

Dessire Ritzer
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Dessire Ritzer

Dessire Ritzer

Teacher Assistant (Primary)

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.


Dorothy Roxas

Dorothy Roxas
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Dorothy Roxas

Dorothy Roxas

Teacher Assistant (Primary)
Estafany Hernandez

Estafany Hernandez
Teacher Assistant (Primary)

Bio

Estafany Hernandez

Estafany Hernandez

Teacher Assistant (Primary)
Valentina Berganza

Valentina Berganza
Classroom Assistant

Bio

Valentina Berganza

Valentina Berganza

Classroom Assistant

Lower Elementary Classroom (ages 6 - 9 years old)

Bianca Brown

Bianca Brown
Lower Elementary Teacher

Bio

Bianca Brown

Bianca Brown

Lower Elementary Teacher

A.S. NOVA
B.A. Mary Washington
Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD
Montessori Certified AMS ELI

Sandra Garcia

Sandra Garcia
Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)

Bio

Sandra Garcia

Sandra Garcia

Teacher Assistant (Lower Elementary)
Lajuana Godinez

Lajuana Godinez

Bio

Lajuana Godinez

Lajuana Godinez


Upper Elementary Classroom (ages 9 - 12 years old)

Lauren Cornuet

Lauren Cornuet
Upper Elementary Teacher

Bio

Lauren Cornuet

Lauren Cornuet

Upper Elementary Teacher

B.A., Old Dominion University

Carmen Jurado

Carmen Jurado
Teacher Assistant

Bio

Carmen Jurado

Carmen Jurado

Teacher Assistant

Administration

Esperanza Berganza

Esperanza Berganza
Head of School

Bio

Esperanza Berganza

Esperanza Berganza

Head of School
Theresa Higuera

Theresa Higuera
Director

Bio

Theresa Higuera

Theresa Higuera

Director
Flor Berganza

Flor Berganza
Financial Manager

Bio

Flor Berganza

Flor Berganza

Financial Manager
Carla Otero

Carla Otero
Front Desk

Bio

Carla Otero

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.

Macarena Fusero

Macarena Fusero
Front Desk

Bio

Macarena Fusero

Macarena Fusero

Front Desk

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education and I spent several years teaching elementary grades 1-6 in Argentina before moving to the United States in 2017. I am the proud mother of two children. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors-whether it's hiking, bike riding, or having picnics-and we love traveling and discovering new places and cultures.