About Montesshare
Rooted in Community, Dedicated to Excellence
From a Passionate Montessori Co-founder to a Thriving Boutique Community
9-time "Best of D.C." Award Winner
Dear Families,
Several years after co-founding D.C.’s TOTH Montessori, I founded Montesshare—a small, inclusive, early childhood education community. We strive to foster a love of learning while also building community and intrinsic motivation. My commitment to learning and the Montessori pedagogy is evident in the dozens of families we have served, including my own four children, whom I now homeschool.
At Montesshare, I have returned to the heart of education: a boutique setting where I can ensure every child receives the uncompromising, individualized attention they deserve. I invite you to join our beautiful community!
Founder and Director
The Pillars of the Montesshare Experience
Mastery in the Classroom
A Legacy of Montessori Experience and Heart
Joy Wilder | Founder and Director
Joy holds a dual degree in Sociology and Marketing from The College of William & Mary. Her leadership experience is extensive, serving on the Board of Owners for TOTH Montessori and as the former Director of a local community non-profit
Beyond the classroom, Joy is the founder of Brilliant Life Business, where she empowers entrepreneurs to build heart-centered organizations. She is also the host of Brilliant Life’s Podcast, Facebook, and YouTube. As a mother of four, she blends her professional expertise with a deep dedication to Montessori pedagogy, ensuring Montesshare remains a beacon of excellence for families.
Catherine Lawson | Montessori Lead Guide
Catherine is a veteran educator entering her thirty-sixth year of teaching a Montessori Primary classroom. After graduating with a BA in Preschool Education, she completed her American Montessori Society (AMS) training. She has a deep passion for early childhood and a particular love for presenting reading and practical life works.
In her free time, Ms. Catherine enjoys cross-stitching, swimming, and hunting for classroom treasures at local estate sales. She lives with her husband and their cat, and is immensely proud of her two grown daughters.
Daniela Crespo | Assistant Guide
Daniela studied Psychology and Spanish at George Mason University, where she first discovered her passion for early childhood development. Before joining the Montessori community, she served as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), specializing in children with Autism.
With four years of service to children, Daniela brings a patient, observant, and highly skilled energy to our classroom. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to visit family in Bolivia, devouring true crime podcasts, and watching movies with her husband.
Lizzie Noble | Afternoon Assistant Guide
Lizzie is currently pursuing a degree in the Social Sciences. She brings unique experience to our community, having previously served as a nanny for a homeschool family of ten children. This background gave her a practical mastery of supporting diverse learning styles in a busy environment. Known for her energy and calm presence, Lizzie excels at guiding our afternoon enrichment. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Amanda Long | Administrative Director
Amanda ensures the heart of Montesshare runs smoothly behind the scenes. With a background in operations, she handles the essential logistics and communications that keep our community organized. When she isn’t supporting our team and families, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and swimming every chance she gets!
Kulsum Omer | Substitute Guide
Kulsum is a pillar of the Montessori community, bringing over thirty-five years of classroom mastery to Montesshare. An AMS teacher trainer and mentor, she has served as an honorary board member of The Institute of Montessori Education and has led school accreditation committees across the region.
A 20-time AMS workshop presenter and former Educational Director, Ms. Omer is a master of the Prepared Environment. While she is officially retired, her passion for the Montessori Method leads her to our classroom as a substitute guide, where she ensures our students continue to receive world-class mentorship. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and caring for her young grandchildren.
Katie Perschbacher | Substitute Guide
Katie studied Early Childhood Education and has spent over a decade as a dedicated advocate for children’s learning. A former military spouse and homeschool mother of two, she brings a wealth of adaptable experience—once even successfully managing a full homeschool curriculum from an RV in the mountains of New Mexico!
With over ten years of service to children, Katie is a resourceful educator and Montesshare’s resident photographer (capturing all the beautiful moments you see on this website). Now settled in Alexandria, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, tackling creative projects, and spending quality time with her husband and two daughters.
Join Our All-Star Substitute Guide Team
Are you passionate about supporting the growth of young children in a peaceful, thriving community? We are always looking for exceptional individuals—from seasoned educators to dedicated caregivers—to join our substitute and support network. If you share our love for child-led discovery, we’d love to meet you."
Ready to Join Our Community?
Discover the difference of a boutique Montessori education. We invite you to begin your journey by exploring our
Sharing a Montessori education with the next generation of world changers since 2017.
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Address : 5908 Bond Ct, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States