Gwendolyn Horton
Head of School
I joined Palisades Montessori in 2019 as Director and Lead Teacher at the Infant and Toddler Community. In that role, I focused on building an inclusive and student-centered Montessori environment. I also co-led the design of new learning spaces and operating procedures for the school during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Before coming to Palisades Montessori in 2019, I spent more than 18 years as a Montessori teacher at the Metro Montessori schools and Toddlers on the Hill, and served as an acting Directress at ToTH. Throughout my career, I have had a special interest in faculty professional development, and am also an Instructor of Adult Learners at the Montgomery Montessori Institute in Rockville, Maryland. My areas of expertise include Toddler Pedagogy, the Home Environment, and Leadership: How to Design an Anti-Bias Classroom. I truly believe in the authenticity of Montessori education, especially in early childhood. As a young child, I attended a Montessori school during my Primary years – and I still remember my experience as a student to this day. I am the proud mother of Christopher, and a bonus mom to teens Michael and Sayla. My pronouns are she/her, and my teacher name is Mrs. Gwen!
I was born in Yoloten, a small town of about 50,000 people located along the path of the ancient Silk Road in Turkmenistan. At the age of 18, I left my hometown to pursue higher education in Belarus, where I earned my bachelor’s degree as a Teacher of Foreign Languages. During my university years, I was active in campus and faculty organizations, participating in sports, linguistic competitions, and various extracurricular activities. I was honored to receive multiple diplomas, certificates, and appreciation letters for my involvement.
It was during one semester that I was first introduced to the Montessori method — a truly unforgettable moment for me. The more I learned, the more I realized how revolutionary it was, from Dr. Maria Montessori’s inspiring life story to her unique methods and approaches. Later, during my internships in state schools and summer camps, I began applying Montessori principles in my work, which deepened my appreciation for its impact on children’s learning.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing volleyball, biking, hiking, playing guitar, listening to audiobooks, playing board games, meeting new people, traveling abroad, cooking, grilling, and always learning something new.
I chose to be a teacher because the profession combines everything I value — serving the community in a meaningful way, finding joy in my work, and being surrounded by the positive, fulfilling energy. In my previous leadership roles with adults, I often noticed the “inner child” that still lives within us all. With toddlers and young children, I see the purest forms of curiosity, learning, and human potential. Working with them is both a privilege and a joy.
My Name is Elzabeth Alemu. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, I live in West Hyattsville, Maryland with my husband and ten year-old son. I have studied Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College. I also pursued the same program in Ethiopia. I speak Amharic predominantly at home and I am learning to speak English as well. I have worked in preschool programs since 2019.
I chose to work with children because my son’s teacher emphasized the importance of childcare at an early age and I was intrigued by this statement. Also, when I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher, so I decided to follow my dream. I would into the young adults that they will become in this giant world. I find inspsay ECE is my “calling”. I love working with children, showing them new things and helping them to find new things for themselves, in ways that contribute and shape them iration every day through working with babies in the nursery and knowing that I am part of their first life experience.
In my free time, I like visiting churches, jogging and listening to spiritual songs. I also like visiting monuments.
My name is Lais, I am originally from São Paulo, Brazil. I moved to the U.S in 2015 as an au pair, an exchange program where you live with a host family and care for their children. It was an amazing experience! I graduated with a degree in Education in 2012 and I have been a teacher since then. I love my profession, and that is why I decided to become a Montessori teacher. In 2020, I earned my Montessori certification from Barrie Institute. It is a great honor to share everything I learned with my students, but also, to learn every single day from the greatest people of all: The children. During my free time I love taking long walks around Palisades; listening to music and podcasts; and doing puzzles and crafts, such as wood burning and embroidery. My newest hobby is cultivating succulents. Every day with my students is a new chapter of a beautiful Montessori journey, and I feel lucky to have the chance to be part of their lives. As Dr. Maria Montessori said, “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
I am a proud Brazilian who became a teacher 10 years ago, when I started teaching English as Second Language to children. However, during the course of this decade, I have taught people of all age groups (including seniors!). I have also had the pleasure of have been an Au Pair and nanny to children ranging from ages 0 to 10, who I have proudly seen blossom into incredible little (and some not so little anymore) human beings. In 2020, I graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with honors from the Associates of Education program. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, but I am the happiest around children. The symbiotic relationship between educators and children is something I hold very dear to my heart. After all, the whole purpose of life is learning and evolving by learning from and with others! Some of my hobbies are cooking, dancing, watching movies and series and makeup. So, do not be surprised if you see us dancing around or doing lots of art projects: we are all exercising our bodies and our brains!
My name is Tania Fuentes and I have been working with children of all ages since I was a sophomore in high school. I am the youngest of four and I am a freshman in college. When I am not doing schoolwork, I enjoy painting and baking. I have worked in various environments such as elementary school and daycares, and I am so excited to join PMITC. I’m very excited to be working at PMITC because of how passionate everyone is about their work. It feels good to be in an environment that matches the loving energy that I am excited to implement as a teacher. I am looking forward to getting to know all the children and their parents one-on-one.
My name is Andrea, and I am originally from Quito, Ecuador, a beautiful city high in the Andes Mountains. I have been fortunate to teach in many different parts of the world at different times in my life, from the jungle in Ecuador to Vietnam to San Antonio, Texas. I recently moved to Washington, D.C., after traveling the world while working online as a wellbeing and life coach. I first moved to the United States to pursue my career in psychology, a field that continues to shape how I teach and connect with my students.
I am a very curious person who loves learning, which is one of the reasons I love working with children. Together, we can explore our curiosity, discover the world, and learn more about ourselves. During the summers, I enjoy working on experiential learning and community development projects with teenagers abroad. Outside the classroom, I keep my explorer’s hat on for different adventures: I love climbing, biking, hiking, camping, reading, and writing. Every day in the classroom feels like an adventure, and I feel grateful for the chance to be part of my students’ journeys as they grow in confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
My name is Josiah Perry, and I am delighted to be joining Palisades Montessori as a new Floater and Afterschool Assistant Teacher. After working with children last summer, I discovered a passion for supporting their growth and development. I was drawn to Palisades Montessori for its commitment to Montessori philosophy, particularly its emphasis on nurturing independence and respecting each child’s individual journey. My goal is to contribute to a peaceful, positive classroom environment where students feel secure, inspired, and confident. I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with everyone.
My name is Gabriela Sanchez! I am 21 years old, and I have been working with children since my sophomore year of high school. I first started at an internship through an elementary school, where I worked with Pre-Kindergartners three days a week. From there, I moved onto working at a daycare and childcare facility, mainly caring for infants and toddlers. I have a lifetime of experience with younger children, as I’m the oldest of three siblings and cared for my toddler cousin almost every weekday for the past three years. I’m excited to be working with Palisades Montessori, and so far have enjoyed the kind and inviting atmosphere. I look forward to many Montessori adventures to come!
My name is Karina Silva, I am from São Paulo – Brazil. I moved to the U.S in 2016 as an Au Pair, where I had a wonderful experience working with children!
I hold a Bachelor of Letters degree in Translation and Interpretation. My passion for working with children started when I was still in Brazil preparing to be an Au Pair. I worked as a volunteer in a few schools in São Paulo, and when I moved to Virginia, I was able to learn the daily life of a child. When I finished the Au Pair program, I decided to take the Early Childhood course and during it, I did an assignment about Dr. Maria Montessori. I learned more about the method and realized that it matched my profile as an educator. I then enrolled into the Montessori training institute at Barrie School.
I recently graduated from my Montessori training and had a great year working as a self-directed lead teacher in the Toddler Classroom. I really love being a Montessori teacher and being able to see how children thrive in a learning environment where they are free and can make creative choices in their learning.
In my free time, I enjoy playing board games, hiking, being in nature, visiting new places, watching movies, talking to my family in Brazil and listening to music. I look forward to a successful year at PMITC!