THE BETHESDA
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Since 1983
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
Finance, Admissions, Parent Liaison
'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 accounting and finance consulting, owned her own technology development 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. She was the Bethesda Chevy Chase High School Sports Booster president for several years, and the chair of their yearly Mulch Sale for seven years.
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
Director of Curriculum
Montessori Teacher
Josie Albrecht is the Director of Curriculum at The Bethesda Montessori School and in 2026 will share the lead teacher roll, in our largest Primary Montessori classroom, with colleague Katrina Bunuan. She has served as a volunteer at BMS when in high school, co-lead teacher with the school founder Gertrude Burr, lead teacher in several classrooms and kindergarten teacher. Ms. Albrecht also manages our summer camp along with colleague Barbara Pierre.
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 pigs Max & Ivy (who live in her classroom here at school)!
You can often see her biking to BMS, working in our garden, running our after school music class, or offering to assist in all aspects of The Bethesda Montessori School.
Debbie Kelsey
Montessori Teacher
Our second classroom is headed by Mrs. Debbie Kelsey, who has been with us for a total of 30 years! She holds an Association Montessori Internationale certification from Washington Montessori Institute, and a B.A. from Hillsdale College. She 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!
Marie Weaver
Montessori Teacher
Originally from France, Mrs. Weaver studied business in college. After graduating, she moved to the U.S. and has lived in the DC area for over 20 years. Marie brings many years of experience in traditional classrooms, having taught general studies preschool through elementary and science and French through high school. Her passion for child-centered learning led me to the Montessori approach, and she completed her two-year Graduate Study, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Certification at The Washington Montessori Institute in May 2026. After Co-teaching for the past several years, she has taken over as lead teacher. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cooking, painting, sewing, and traveling.
Mrs. Weaver is the proud mother of three daughters, one in college and twin high school juniors (you may see them working at the BMS Summer Camp)! She is a caring and intelligent teacher who is welled loved by her students and parents.
Katrina Bunuan
Montessori Teacher
Originally from the Philippines, Mrs. Bunuan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Philippines and has been Montessori-certified since 2013. She is a dedicated and compassionate educator who is deeply committed to nurturing children’s growth, confidence, and independence. With a strong belief in the importance of creating a supportive and engaging learning environment, she brings both knowledge and heart to her work. Although she has two grown daughters, Katrina continues to treasure meaningful time with her family, especially when they are together for vacations, celebrations, and family gatherings. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing afternoon walks with her husband and their two Golden Retrievers, making the most of simple moments spent outdoors.
Mrs. Bunuan will be the co-lead in the largest of the three Primary Montessori classrooms at The Bethesda Montessori school, working closely with Ms. Josie Albrecht.
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, Nicaragua, 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, a two year master degree program, appropriate undergraduate study, significant experience in classroom management in the Montessori classroom, English language proficiency, and several other State and Montessori requirements.
Working in Ms. Albrecht's classroom...
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Ms. Josie Albrecht – Director of Curriculum, AMI Primary Montessori Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, Co-Director of Camp Bethesda Montessori
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Mrs. Katrina Bunuan - AMS Primary Montessori Teacher
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Ms. Barbara Pierre – Morning Classroom Assistant, Afternoon Kindergarten Assistant, Day Care Staff Supervisor, Co-Director of Camp Bethesda Montessori
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Mrs. Yanick Mazard – Morning Classroom Assistant, Nap Time Staff - 31 YEAR EMPLOYEE IN 2026
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Mr. Marceline Happi Sikam – Morning Classroom Assistant
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Mrs. Barby Jerome - Afternoon Kindergarten Assistant
Working in Mrs. Kelsey's classroom...
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Mrs. Debbie Kelsey – AMI Primary Montessori Teacher - 31 YEAR EMPLOYEE IN 2026
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Mrs. Barby Jerome - Morning Assistant
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Mr. Marceline Happi Sikam – Transition II classroom assistant
Working in Mrs. Weaver's classroom...
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Mrs. Marie Weaver - AMI Primary Montessori Teacher and Afternoon Transition I Teacher
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Mrs. Juana Tapia - Morning Classroom Assistant
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Mrs. Nadia Al Farah - Morning Classroom Assistant and Afternoon Transition I Classroom Assistant
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Mrs Kerry Nicolardi -- AMI Primary Montessori Teacher -- substitute
Working in Ms. Lenny Febrianny's classroom...
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Ms. Lenny Febrianny - Morning Classroom Teacher and Afternoon Transition I Classroom Assistant
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Ms. Joanna Harris - Morning Classroom Assistant and Nap Time Staff
Specialists...
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Ms. Barbara Pierre - Assistant Teacher, Co-Director of Camp Bethesda Montessori & day care supervisor
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Mrs. Juana Tapia - Morning Assistant, nap time & day care
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Mrs. Yanick Mazard – Morning Assistant, nap time & day care
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Mrs. Barby Jerome - Assistant Teacher & day care staff
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Ms. Lenny Febrianny - Assistant Teacher & day care staff
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Mrs. Marie Faissat - Art & French Instruction
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Ms. Yustina Park - Gertrude A. Burr Music Class Instructor
Head of School...
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Mrs. Kristie Blair Galic -- Head of School, Finance, Admissions, Parent and Teacher Liaison
In addition to having an international staff, the children and their families come to us from many different countries and continents. In 2026 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.
Lenny Febrianny
2-year-old Teacher
Ms. Lenny is the caring lead teacher of our new 2's toddler Montessori classroom -- she really does it all with love! She holds a college degree from St. Mary's in Indonesia, and several general education and Montessori certifications, including extensive, specific certifications for infant and toddlers. Her 2-year-old Montessori program includes early education, numbers and letters, fine and gross motor skill development using the Montessori practical life and sensorial materials, and plenty of craft and art projects that keep our 2-year- olds working hard all day long! And, she works wonders to help children become potty trained here at BMS! Along with her assistant Ms. Joanna Harris, and the weekly collaboration with the school's director of curriculum Ms. Albrecht, the team is well loved by their students and parents alike! Take a tour to see this adorable, 'mini' Montessori classroom!