Butler Montessori Faculty & Staff
Our AMI-certified teachers and highly-skilled staff nurture and guide your child in the classroom and beyond.
We have high standards! Butler Montessori is a private accredited AMI-certified Montessori school
Butler Montessori is an AMI certified school which means we have the highest standards of certification required for a worldwide Montessori school.
Our AMI-certified Montessori teachers are professionally trained to support the social, emotional and academic needs of your child
"Butler shaped some of my most formative years and now I have the privilege to give back to the community through my work with the Intermediates. It is a joy to be here every day; I can't imagine working anywhere else! "
Emma Rodwin
Intermediate Guide
Faculty & Staff
in Alphabetical Order
B.A., Salisbury University, Maryland
AMI Montessori Primary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
I joined Butler Montessori in 2017 as an Assistant in the Primary classroom. I spent a year as an assistant and then completed my Primary training at the Washington Montessori Institute. I was happy to return to Butler as a trained guide to lead my own classroom! I love nature and birdwatching. I enjoy gardening, lazing around with my cat, and finding new hiking trails with my husband!
B.A., Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
I joined Butler Montessori as a Lower Elementary Guide in 2016 after spending two years teaching English as a foreign language in Guatemala. I love swimming and reading, spending time out in nature, and learning to crochet.
Digital Media Design certificate, FCC
I was originally at Butler from 1987-2000 as the original Equestrian Director (and the mother of two Butler Alumni). I returned to Butler in 2014 as the Communication Coordinator. I love teaching riding, SCUBA diving, spending time with my family (I am now the grandmother of 3!), and learning new things!
B.S., Ohio State University
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
I joined Butler Montessori in 2019. I am passionate about nature and education. I find joy in meeting people and spending time with family. I like to travel and learn about history.
I feel blessed to be able to combine my passion for marketing and development with my love of Butler Montessori. This school is unique, from the Intermediate student-run farm to the caring administration - it's a fantastic community housed on a beautiful nature-filled campus. I've worked with independent schools for more than 15 years and Butler is still one of my favorites.
In my spare time, when I'm not strategizing about fundraising and marketing, you'll find me sipping green smoothies on my deck, hiking trails, and playing soccer with my children.
B.A., Metropolitana University, Puerto Rico
M.Ed., Metropolitana University, Puerto Rico
AMI-NAMTA Adolescent Certification
Certification in Bilingual Teaching, Cervantes Institute, Canada
I joined Butler Montessori in 2009. I love teaching, being in nature, and spending time with my grandchildren. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and doing crafts.
B.S., University of Maryland
I have been at Butler since 2010. I love being outside on my bicycle, or doing any indoor or outdoor activity with my 2 boys!
B.S., Computer Science, University of Maryland
AMI Montessori Primary Diploma, Washington Montessori Institute
M.Ed., Loyola University
I'm happy to be returning to Butler Montessori! I love playing tennis, writing bad poems, and playing oboe with the Montgomery Village Community Band.
B.A., Monmouth University, New Jersey
I have been with Butler Montessori since 2004. I like to exercise (yoga, walking, and rowing), cooking and spending time with my family.
B.A., Virginia Tech, Virginia
M.A., Hood College, Maryland
AMI-NAMTA Adolescent Certification
I have been at Butler since 2004. I love all things beach and warm, reading, trying new things, and ballet.
I have been working at Butler Montessori since 2000 when my youngest child started in Primary, joining his older sister who was in Elementary. Being around the children and watching them grow and mature has been a delight. Each day at school is an adventure with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. On the personal side, I greatly enjoy cooking and taking long walks with my dog.
I joined Butler Montessori as a Guide in 2020, however, I was a student here as well (many years ago!). I love singing and playing folk music, all things outdoors, and my dogs.
I am a former parent of 2 boys who went to Bulter from Lower Elementary through 8th grade (2010-2019)(Intermediate).
Hobbies: hiking with my dog; sharing meals and connect with friends and family in 3 different languages; sailing the world; traveling in general.
I joined Butler Montessori in 2018 to support the Extended Day program and was invited to join Heather Pelkey as Co-Camp Director before becoming the Camp Director in 2020. I love everything about the outdoors and having the opportunity to help children find joy in exploring nature. In my free time I am an artist. I work in mixed media of collage, photo, and paint. I also spend a lot of time pursuing new hobbies and exploring new places with my husband Chuck. This year we picked up Paddle Boarding, Pickle Ball, and Disk Golf!
B.F.A., Savannah College of Art & Design, Georgia
AMI Elementary Diploma
ESL certified Laubach method
This year (2021–22) is my second year working as a guide, though I’ve been supporting Butler for 5 years now. I am a passionate Montessorian, artist, and birdwatcher. I love to play the ukulele and sing with the children. I love the incredibly supportive community, the amazing campus, and being with the children.
AMI Trained Primary Assistant at WMI
B.A., Theatre Director
I joined Butler Montessori in 2019. I love watching documentaries, listening to music, and doing activities with my daughter.
I became an Assistant to Ms. Jantz in 2021 but I have worked for Butler camp since 2018 and I received my pre-school education through the Montessori system. I have a B.A. in Political Science.
B.A., Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca, México
AMI Introduction to Assistants to Infancy Certificate
I joined Butler Montessori as a Young Children’s Community Assistant in 2014 when the program started. However, I have been part of the Butler community since 2010 when my daughter began first grade. My son Ken will complete 8th grade this year (2021–22) in the Intermediate program. Butler Montessori has been a very important community for my family.
In my spare time, I like playing the piano, gardening, taking walks with my family, and traveling. I love to interact with people of different cultures.
Contact the main office to get information about appointments with Mrs K. [email protected]
I joined Butler Montessori in 2019 as a Co-Director for Butler Equestrian. While working here I have been able to share my passion for horses with students and the public. When I am not at the barn I enjoy baking, being outdoors, and playing with my dogs.
To learn more about Emily and the rest of the Equestrian staff visit www.butlerequestrian.org
I joined Ms. Nguyen’s class as an assistant in January 2021 and I am supporting both Upper Elementary classes this school year. I love reading, cooking, and being outdoors.
B.S., Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science
AMI Montessori Primary Diploma
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
B.A., Music Conservatorium, N. Piccinni, Italy
M.A., Piano Performance Conservatorium, “S. Gesualdo de Venose”-Italy
PhD., Pedagogy, Università degli studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
Dalcroze Eurhythmics Certification - The Institute for Jaques Dalcroze Education of Geneva- at The University of Maryland.
World Music Drumming Curriculum - Vander Cook College of Music-
Levine School of Music - Early Childhood Music Education Diploma, Musikgarten certified teacher (age 0 to 10).
I enjoy snorkeling, birdwatching, drawing, and reading. I love spending time with my family and my little dog.
I joined Butler Montessori in 2020. I enjoy movies, music, anything outside, working out and spending time with my kids.
B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
I started at Butler as an Elementary Guide in 2014 and moved into the role of Admissions Director in 2019. I love traveling, learning about different cultures, and trying new foods.
B.A., Denison University, Ohio
I worked all over the DMV as a theatrical stage manager until COVID-19 brought me to Butler. I miss live performance but love the hiking I’ve been able to do here. I love that I get to see horses every day and I love laughing with the kids.
Certified Nursing Assistant for School Health
Certified Medical Technician
University of Akron, Ohio
I began working at Butler in 1998 as a ropes course facilitator on the challenge course and joined the Butler team In 2001 as an outdoor activities guide. I love teaching, running my outdoor adventure company, and making things with my hands.
B.A., Hood College
I joined Butler Montessori in 2019. I enjoy creating whimsical, nature-inspired ceramics through my business, Wild Things Pottery. I am also a company member with the Maryland Ensemble Theatre in Frederick MD and I perform monthly with Oh Crit! The Dungeons and Dragons Improv Group. I enjoy gardening, tea, and cats.
B.A., Dickinson College, Pennsylvania
AMI Montessori Certificate of Adolescent Studies
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
I joined Butler Montessori in 2014. I love horseback riding and being at the barn. I am also an avid reader, knitter, and enjoy spending time in nature.
Certificate: Montessori Orientation, Montessori Training Center
I joined Butler Montessori in 2019. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time outdoors, knitting, and playing guitar with my blues band.
BA Environmental Science University of Cape Town
MA Education University of Cape Town
I came to Butler Montessori first as a parent and felt that I had found a home for my children. Then I found ways for myself to be useful that grew into more purposeful work that matched my experience and passions. I love to come to work each day where enough stays the same that I can find ways to improve, but no day is duplicated and every day is stimulating.
I started working at Butler in August 2021. I love the rich nature Butler has to offer. I love hiking and camping with my family. Beach and mountains are my favorite place to be on a vacation. I enjoy cooking and doing yoga as well. In the past three years, I have been spending most of my time with my son who will be attending Butler this year in the YCC.
I joined Butler in 2021 as the Primary Extended Day Lead, but before coming here I worked for almost 10 years as an Instructional Assistant to students with developmental disabilities. I very much have a passion to see education and growth from students of all walks of life!
In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, cooking foods from other countries, embroidery, and spending time with pets: my cat Lugosi and my tarantula Betty.
BA Connecticut College
BSN University of Maryland
I have been part of the Butler Montessori Family since 2015 as a parent and became the Supervisory Nurse in 2018. Before working at Butler, I worked as an emergency department nurse, in both adult and pediatric departments. Currently, in addition to working at Butler, I am also working as a labor and delivery nurse. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, horseback riding on our beautiful campus, and reading.
B.S., Philadelphia University
AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
My initial connection with Butler began in 1982 when I volunteered to lead a small choral group on Wednesdays. over time I realized the corporate world was not fulfilling so I took the Elementary training in 1991-92 and finally returned to Butler in 2007 as both a Guide and a parent. I love singing and playing piano, sailing, and the Eastern Shore.
M.Ed., Loyola University, Maryland
AMI Montessori Primary Diploma
Freda also holds a Master of Arts with a major in Asian and Asian American Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese Studies and Japanese Language. She is proficient in English, Japanese, and Chinese. Some of her other interests include botany, piano, and painting.
