Meet Our Team
As advocates for children, our work is approached with humility and respect for the child.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Meade
Full Circle Team
We are humbled by the honor and the responsibility of creating an environment that allows each child to reach his or her fullest potential, according to that child's inner directives.
Administration
Tatjana Vichnevsky
Founder | Owner
Opening a Montessori school was a natural step for me, given my professional and personal aspirations and dreams. After my initial exposure to Montessori in 1995, and the completion of my AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) training, I began my Montessori career in earnest in 1997, when I opened a classroom at a neighboring Montessori school in Arlington. From 1997 to 2004 I worked there as a Primary-level Directress, in love with guiding my 2 1/2 to 6-year-olds (and their parents) through their first school experience. Although my children and my former school were deep within my heart, the time came for me to strike out on my own.
My pre-Montessori business background and education, the experience of working closely with administration and board members to ensure the smooth operation of my former school, a thorough understanding of the market (Montessori, non-Montessori, private and public institutions), and perhaps most importantly, my entrepreneurial spirit, and my tenacity helped me navigate the founding a one-of-a-kind Montessori school. 15 years in I am as passionate as ever, working with the most incredible team of educators, about making a Montessori education possible for children and families of all backgrounds. I myself, like our students, love learning, traveling all over the world with my husband, and spending time with my own wonderful parents, family, and friends. Thank you for reading my bio! Please reach out to me if you would like to know more!
Christie Yang
Director
Christie Yang, born and raised in the DC area, loves to laugh, eat, and live life to the fullest! Prior to working at FCMS, Christie lived in Maui, Hawaii, where she met her husband. Next, they packed up and moved to San Francisco, CA, where Christie began volunteering at John Yehall Elementary School. She soon discovered that a career in education was what she wanted to pursue. After obtaining a master’s degree in education (Pre-K through 8th grade) from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and teaching for six years in Fairfax County Public Schools at Lynbrook Elementary School, Christie quickly burnt out of the test-taking mentality.
She was ready to learn about a different approach to learning – Montessori! Coincidentally, her best friend, Tatjana Vichnevsky, who she has known since 9 years of age as they grew up on the same street in Annandale, VA, wanted to start her own school….Full Circle Montessori School! Tatjana knew she had one child, Christie’s son Jakob, and Christie was ready to help with anything the school needed in its starting stages. Both Jakob and her daughter, Maya, benefitted greatly from their experience in Primary and Elementary. Christie continues to be grateful for the Full Circle Montessori School experience for her own family and the joy she gets from working with the children, the families, and the FCMS Team who inspire her to be a better human being each and every day!
Amy Lawniczak
Director of Education
Amy, a native of Ohio, grew up in a small town where her upbringing influenced her to be socially aware and steered her to pursue education in furtherance of her ideals. Amy left Ohio to attend the University of Wisconsin where she was an active member of both the campus and local communities and majored in political science. Through her passion for social justice, she broadened her academic scope to include courses in education and realized that the primary key to positively impacting society resides in the quality and purposeful education of its youth. At the end of her sophomore year, Amy began a simultaneous certificate program in Educational Policy Studies and followed it through to graduate-level coursework.
After conducting independent research on young women’s education in Africa, Amy traveled to Ghana, spending a few months teaching under-served primary-age children and furthering her understanding of African education. After moving to Washington, in 2009, Amy joined the Full Circle family as a classroom assistant at The Fred, a wonderful experience that introduced her to Montessori theory and practice. Impressed by Montessori’s astute observations on childhood development and ability to foster organic learning, Amy pursued a Master’s degree in education and concurrently received her AMI Montessori Certification. After obtaining her M. Ed and AMI certification, Amy served as an FCMS Guide for 12 years. In Amy's new role as Director of Education, she provides pedagogical oversight, guidance, and ongoing training to all FCMS team members, directs and supports the FCMS partnership, and along with the admin team helps ensure FCMS high standards across all aspects of operation. Outside of FCMS, Amy loves to spend time with her family, to cook, to travel, and to garden.
Jen Grady
Administrator
Jen was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by American parents when she was 2 years old. She has lived all over Northern Virginia since 1980. Her love of children led her to pursue an Elementary Education teaching degree with an Endorsement in Reading from Longwood College. She taught first grade for 9 years in FCPS until the birth of her daughter and son. She stayed home for 9 years with her children and then has been a part-time Reading Intervention teacher in FCPS for 6 years.
Working at Full Circle has renewed her love for teaching young children after working for so many years in public school. Maria Montessori’s method makes so much sense and has inspired her to think differently about education. In Jen’s free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, cooking them delicious meals, listening to a variety of music, and being outdoors. Her life has been incredibly blessed and she is thankful every day for her family, friends, and the gift of life!
Tomiah Yates
Administrative Support
As a disciplined musician, Tomiah has always valued the importance of being challenged and interactive. At Duke Ellington School of the Arts, she learned how to balance music and education while participating in a summer Jazz mentoring program. Working as a music aide, she got her first taste of how significant exploration and creation can be in the development of young minds academically, socially, and culturally. High school rewarded her with opportunities to perform overseas as well as at the White House and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
She attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she studied foreign languages to diminish language barriers through translation and interpretation. During this time, Tomiah volunteered at an international nonprofit organization translating letters and documents for sponsored children in Spanish-speaking countries. This led her to a brief role in translating and interpreting at a pediatric hospital. Wanting to be involved in something more impactful, she soon discovered a new passion and made the career transition into education. Her new home at FCMS has created a satisfying adventure into the endless, stimulating world of Montessori.
Classroom Guides
Our Guides have a deep-seated passion and commitment to children. They exude kindness and warmth; they inspire and they know how to laugh. They have found their life's work with the children and make Full Circle the special place that it is.
Elementary Montessori
Andrea Meszaros
Elementary Guide | Elementary Program Director
Andrea Meszaros came to Full Circle after spending the 2007-2008 school year as an English teacher in China. She thoroughly enjoyed the cultural experience as well as working with children and returned home looking for an opportunity to continue her work in the classroom. Andrea was fortunate enough to come upon Full Circle and was immediately inspired by the enthusiasm of the staff and the culture of the school community. She served as classroom assistant to Ms. Woellhaf at the FRED.
Her time as an assistant taught her invaluable lessons about what it means to work with children from a Montessori perspective. At the same time she realized that she wanted to pursue her Montessori studies further, Full Circle was ready to expand. She jumped at the opportunity to train at Loyola University/Washington Montessori Institute. After a leave of absence to complete the Master of Education degree program in 2010, Andrea was thrilled to open Full Circle’s first Elementary class. Andrea is delighted to bring “Cosmic Education” to Full Circle, and to explore the universe right along with the children!
Primary Montessori (Children's House)
April Dunn
Primary Level Guide
Mrs. Dunn was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her family followed her father’s career as a university professor from college town to college town through Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tennessee. The family eventually settled long-term in upstate New York. Mrs. Dunn declared at a young age that she aspired to a career as a teacher. She studied Anthropology and Art History at the State University of New York at Albany, and went on to work in museum programs at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History’s Arctic Studies Center. She made her way back to education, earning a Master’s Degree in Special Education from The George Washington University, then teaching in Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools until becoming a mother in 2003 with her and husband Mike’s first child, Eleanor. Their son Eamon was born in 2006.
Mrs. Dunn returned to work in schools in 2009, having developed an interest in Montessori. She began a career path that led from working as an assistant in a Primary environment to Primary level Montessori teacher training and joining the team at Full Circle. (Fun Fact: Mrs. Dunn attended the first Montessori Primary classroom at the Penn State University Campus Preschool back in 1974.) She considers it an honor to work as part of a team that champions the child’s best interest above all, and exemplifies a culture of mutual respect and support.
At home, Mrs. Dunn enjoys reading anything readable, listening to and making music, cooking, spending time outdoors, and being with her husband and their children, who flourished in Montessori Primary and Elementary.
Stephanie Marshall
Primary Level Guide
Stephanie Marshall enjoyed being in a Montessori environment herself, from age three through third grade, and returned to her childhood Montessori school as a Classroom Assistant through high school and college. She received her Graduate Montessori Teaching Certificate and Master of Education at St. Catherine University in St.Paul, Minnesota. She has lived and worked all over the country, teaching, exploring, and enjoying each new place through the eyes of the children she has worked with. She has had the opportunity to see how a Montessori community helps children develop into prepared and good humans through her own child, now thriving in Middle School because of her Primary and Elementary Full Circle Montessori experience.
The openness and love for life and learning that children possess fuels her excitement to be a facilitator for children as they develop to reach their potential. She has a passion for mental and emotional health, self-care, as well as parenting! Stephanie facilitates the Parenting Project; a group of families meeting to discuss and practice parenting better together. Stephanie and her family love to be outside exploring, caring for their urban farm, spending time in Arizona with family, and when at home, they enjoy music, movies, and books of all kinds.
Young Children's Community
Brittany Kinsey
Young Children’s Community Guide
Brittany is from Mississippi and has lived in Virginia for six years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish from Mississippi State University in 2017 and just completed her Master of Education from Loyola University Maryland. When she moved to Virginia, Brittany found Montessori through a position as a floater at a local Montessori school. After working in the toddler environment, she knew she was meant to do this work. Brittany received her AMI Assistants to Infancy diploma from The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado in 2021.
Brittany loves to bake, crochet, attend a barre class, sew, and read when she isn't teaching. She and her husband are avid Mississippi State fans, and you can find them ringing their cowbells while watching a game! Brittany is excited to be a part the FCMS family and looks forward to all the personal and professional growth she will have here.
Kate Ward
Young Children’s Community Guide
Kate is a mother, daughter, sister, wife, and aunt and has been working with children for over 15 years. She owns a Master’s degree from Loyola University Maryland in Montessori Teacher Education and earned her undergrad degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nebraska. After leaving her home state of Nebraska, she moved to New York and started her own premium in-home childcare business which lasted for 10 years. This began her love for the East coast. After more exploration, she moved to D.C. to follow her passion for teaching. This is where she discovered and fell in love with Montessori.
Ms. Ward loves spending time with her family and friends, including a passion for sports (watching and playing) especially baseball --Go Nats and college football Go Huskers! She loves running, being outside, swimming, and baking. Kate and her husband love spending time with their three children. Kate joined the FCMS family in 2018.
Classroom Assistants and Support
Our Classroom Assistants and Support staff are an integral part to our overall commitment to children, providing vital aid to the Classroom Guides on a daily basis.
Elementary Montessori
Jodi Isobe
Elementary Classroom Manager
Jodi grew up in Hawaii, where she spent her days dancing and enjoying the islands’ wonders. Her first job was at an elementary school after-school program, which felt natural due to her family being educators. Jodi graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Resources and a minor in Speech. She continued her education at the University of Hawaii to receive a Master of Education in Teaching, Elementary Education. Jodi was fortunate to start her teaching career in Japan, where she taught English to students ranging from infants to adults.
She continued her career as an elementary public school teacher for eight years and later became a facility manager for a private school’s innovation center. Jodi was amazed at the students’ interest in entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and design thinking; it opened her eyes to a world of possibilities for children. Due to this experience and the birth of her first child, Jodi became interested in best practices for educating young children. She connected with Montessori pedagogy and completed the Association Montessori Internationale Early Childhood Orientation Course and The Prepared Montessorian Montessori in the Home Course. She is thrilled to now implement Montessori practices firsthand as a classroom assistant at Full Circle Montessori School.
In Jodi’s free time, she enjoys time outdoors with her family, traveling the world to learn about new cultures, and crafting.
Cindi Simmons
Elementary Classroom Assistant
Cindi Simmons grew up in Michigan and moved to the DC area after college to teach elementary school in Montgomery County, Md. After 31 years in public schools, she retired in 2022 and is excited to begin this new chapter of her career with the Full Circle community. Cindi lives in DC with her husband and their sons (ages 17 and 14) who both attended Montessori School when they were younger.
She is an active soccer mom, an avid reader, and a passionate fund-raiser for organizations that support people on the Autism spectrum.
Primary Montessori (Children’s House)
Nene Pisigan
Primary Classroom Assistant | Elementary Afterschool Program
Nenita Pisigan (Nene to her close friends and colleagues) grew up in the Philippines and moved to the DC area in 1993. She has spent the last 20 years working closely with children from infancy through adolescence. Nene joined Full Circle in 2012 assisting in the Fred Children’s House at our location in Woodbury Park.
In addition to her work at Full Circle, Nene has been a nanny for two Arlington families, lovingly caring for six children since they were infants. And if that wasn’t enough to take on, Nene also teaches a class at Trinity Presbyterian Church each Sunday. Nene is a proud wife and mother of two children. She loves cooking and sports, particularly track and field.
Jeanine Ramirez
Primary Classroom Assistant
Jeanine was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, and is from a Nicaraguan family. She enjoys being outdoors, exercising, cooking, and being a mom. She has one beautiful daughter who fills her life up with joy and happiness. Her love for children is infinite. She has been working as an assistant with children ages 2-17 for almost 9 years. Taking in the beauty of learning is something she treasures so much. When she joined the FCMS team she realized her love of children grew even stronger and deeper. Being at FCMS has now inspired her to pursue AMI Montessori training in the very near future after graduating from Northern Virginia Community College in Fall 2023.
Young Children’s Community
Kelly Anderson
Young Children's Community Classroom Assistant
Kelly was born in Bogota, Colombia. She received a Bachelor's degree at the Central University of Bogota in Social Communication and Journalism in 2016. She came to the United States in 2018. Kelly is inspired by the Montessori Methodology and loves the experience of working in the Young Children's Community for the 2nd year. She wants to continue growing her career and education in Montessori.
Kelly also creates written and digital content for “Genica Magazine” which is a local Hispanic magazine. She creates columns and content in Spanish for the Latino community.
Neyda Cordova
Young Children's Community Classroom Assistant
Neyda was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, and grew up in a loving Salvadoran family. Neyda is currently attending George Mason University pursuing a bachelor's degree in integrative studies with a concentration in education and minoring in childhood studies. After graduating with her bachelor’s in the spring of 2024, she will be pursuing a master’s degree in Elementary Education instruction and curriculum. Ever since she was in high school, Neyda has been passionate about working with children in many different environments and enjoys learning something new wherever she's worked.
When Neyda is not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys cleaning, learning piano, and learning how to cook.
Meghan Hamby
Young Children's Community Classroom Assistant
Meghan Hamby is a native of Arlington, VA. She joined the FCMS team in 2019 after falling in love with Montessori education during a visit to the school as a high school intern. Meghan is currently in training for her Primary Diploma and looks forward to leading her own Children’s House in the future.
When she is not at FCMS, Meghan is a Spirit Coach (Cheer & Dance) at Yorktown High School. She loves to spend time reading books and relaxing with her family.
Mary Stilwell
Young Children's Community Classroom Assistant
Mary Stilwell was born in Texas and has lived in Alexandria, Virginia for 20+ years. Mary joined the FCMS family in 2022 and has loved the authentic Montessori experience that Full Circle provides. Since completing her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, she has gone on to begin her AMI 0-3 training at The Montessori Insitute. Mary has worked in childcare for 10+ years and her passion for education runs deep. She finds great joy in connecting with children and watching them gain confidence and independence.
When she isn't working, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring the outdoors.
Want to join our team?
Contact Christie Yang for opportunities!