PHILOSOPHY & STAFF

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who lived from 1870 to 1952. She had such a profound influence upon the lives of children that her ideas and principles have continued to spread throughout the world.

It has been proven that small children have a desire to learn and are capable of acquiring a great deal of knowledge. The Montessori attitude toward education stresses the sensitive periods. These are times when children are interested in acquiring a particular skill or gaining knowledge in a certain area. The teacher or "directress" directs their learning and provides the needed stimulation for the children to work with the manipulative materials provided for them. They may use them freely, work at their own pace and repeat the activity for as long as they wish.

The carefully prepared environment provides a stimulus for children to make new self-discoveries, and gain confidence, independence and a sense of order in a noncompetitive atmosphere. These are qualities that we hope will grow with the children and remain with them as they enter adulthood.

Teachers & Administrators

Gertrude A. Burr (1942 - 2021)

Founder and President

The Bethesda Montessori School was founded by Gertrude A. Burr in 1983, and was under her direction until her passing in 2021. She not only created and ran the highly successful program for more than 39 years, but was the lead teacher in the "Gertrude A. Burr Classroom" for 38 of those years. She was a certified teacher in the Montessori System since 1978 and held a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale, which she received at the Washington Montessori Institute. In addition to her dedication to teaching in the Montessori field, Mrs. Burr obtained a bachelor of music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where she pursued graduate studies. She taught vocal music for several years in public and private schools in the Washington area before founding The Bethesda Montessori School.

Mrs. Burr loved to travel the world and share her experiences with the children under her care. She would always bring back baubles and knickknacks which she shared with the children, using her experiences to enrich their knowledge of the world. She loved wonderful food, great books, adorable animals, and ice cream!

The school continues to be family owned and operates at the highest level, in her honor, and continues providing love and care to generations of new students. Her impact on the education of thousands of children in Maryland can not be overstated.

Kristie Galic

Head of School

'Mrs. Kristie' has been a part of The Bethesda Montessori School for more than 20 years, first as a Parent, then Admissions Director and now as Head of School. Her children were students in school founder Gertrude Burr's classroom, which allows her a unique perspective when introducing prospective families to BMS. She holds a MBA from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University in Texas, along with several certifications in the study of Montessori and Directorship. She has worked in technology and finance, owned her own company, and raised two amazing children who continue to make she and her husband proud every day.

Mrs. Kristie loves to play pickleball, tennis and golf, hike and enjoy the outdoors, especially the beach! She is an avid reader and sports fan, and continues to chair several charitable organizations in the area, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for local school children and athletics programs.

Mrs. Kristie found her true passion and a life long friendship and mentor when Gertrude Burr asked her to come to The Bethesda Montessori School. She is thrilled to continue Mrs. Burr's legacy caring for children and their families, and offering a safe and beautiful environment, in which every children can learn to thrive.

Josie Albrecht

Montessori Teacher

Josie Albrecht heads the largest classroom and is the Director of Educational Programs at The Bethesda Montessori School. Prior to assuming the role of lead teacher in 2018, she spent five years as co-lead teacher and kindergarten teacher with founder Gertrude Burr.

Ms. Albrecht graduated from Flagler College with a degree in elementary education, and completed her AMI training with a Masters in Education from the Washington Montessori Institute in 2013. She is the proud parent of her adorable dog Olive, and her guinea pig Max (who lives in her classroom here at school!) and has spent many summers working at a Veterinary Clinic in the summer.

You can often see her biking to BMS, working in our garden, or offering to assist in all aspects of academic curriculum and summer camp!

Debbie Kelsey

Montessori Teacher

Our second classroom is headed by Mrs. Debbie Kelsey, who has been with us for a total of 29 years! She holds an Association Montessori Internationale certification from Washington Montessori Institute and worked with our Founder, Gertrude A. Burr for many years, co-teaching the afternoon kindergarten class and developing a caring Montessori community by befriending so many of her former parents and staying in touch with her students long after they have left BMS!

Mrs. Kelsey is devoted to good health and happiness, and has completed many triathlons around the country with her family and friends. She continues to walk, run, swim and bike.

She has two grown sons and a daughter-in-law, and a new grandbaby, and she loves to travel!

Kerry Nicolardi

Montessori Teacher

The third classroom is guided by Mrs. Kerry Nicolardi, who was born and raised in Bethesda Maryland and attended both public and private schools in the area. She has worked in education for over 17 years, and obtained a Master’s degree in Education as well as a certificate in AMI Montessori from Loyola Baltimore after assisting in a Montessori classroom and falling in love with the methodology. Mrs. Nicolardi started to see there was a need for someone to teach children who were struggling to read and write so she obtained certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach. This combined with her training in Montessori, can help children to learn to read and write using a multisensory, systemic, structured literacy program.

For the past six years she have been working with students from Pre-K through 8th grade running an Instructional Support Department. We are glad she has decided to get back to her roots by teaching primary age children in a Montessori setting.

Mrs. Nicolardi is looking forward to using all the tools that she has learned from her previous teaching experiences to work with the children at The Bethesda Montessori School. She is excited for the opportunity to meet with families and work with students. "Thank you for entrusting me with your children, I hope that we have a wonderful school year ahead of us."

Kerry has three children of her own and enjoys traveling and heading to the beach!

Our Staff

We are extremely fortunate to employ a staff of dedicated, caring professionals who have diverse cultural backgrounds. The following countries of origin are currently represented among the staff: USA, UK, France, Trinidad, Haiti, Korea, and Jamaica.

Interested in joining our team? We offer competitive salary, retirement plans, health stipends, paid leave, personal development and education, and summers off! Submit your resume to admissions@bethesdamontessori.com today. Minimum requirements for aides and assistants include high school diploma, CDA or 90 hour training course and at least 1 year of experience. Minimum requirements for Primary Montessori Guides include an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certification.

Working in Ms. Albrecht's classroom...

Ms. Josie Albrecht – Primary Montessori Teacher, Lead Kindergarten Teacher, Director of Curriculum
Ms. Barbara Pierre – Morning Classroom Assistant, Afternoon Kindergarten Assistant, Day Care Staff Superviser
Mrs. Yanick Mazard – Morning Classroom Assistant, Nap Time Staff
Mrs. Lenny Febrianny – Morning Classroom Assistant

Working in Mrs. Kelsey's classroom...

Mrs. Debbie Kelsey – Primary Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Barby Jerome - Morning Assistant & day care staff
Mrs. Karen Mills - Afternoon Transition II Teacher

Working in Mrs. Nicolardi's classroom...

Mrs. Kerry Nicolardi - Primary Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Karen Mills - Morning Classroom Assistant
Mrs. Marie Weaver - Morning Classroom Assistant and Afternoon Transition I Assistant
Mrs. Lenny Febrianny - Afternoon Transition I Classroom Assistant

Specialists...

Ms. Barbara Pierre - Assistant Teacher & day care supervisor
Mrs. Juana Tapia - day care, lunch & nap time
Mrs. Yanick Mazard – Morning Assistant & nap time
Mrs. Barby Jerome - Assistant Teacher & day care staff
Mrs. Lenny Febrianny - Assistant Teacher & day care staff

Mrs. Marie Faissat - Art & French Instruction
Ms. Yustina Park - Gertrude A. Burr Music Class Instructor

Head of School...

Mrs. Kristie Galic

In addition to having an international staff, the children and their families come to us from many different countries and continents. In 2025 we had over 30 countries represented among our student bodies. Over 50% of our children speak at least two languages. Parents are associated with the various government entities, embassies, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, the National Institutes of Health, local hospitals, and several international corporations. We always welcome our friends and neighbors from around the world.