Staff Biographies

Primary Teachers

Kristi Medley: Kristi is a Primary (3-6 year old) teacher at CFMS. She began her work at CFMS in 1998 as an assistant in a Primary classroom and intern at the Center for Children and Theology. In 2001 she received her primary Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma and Masters of Education degree from the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola College of Maryland and became a Primary teacher at CFMS in September of 2001. Kristi received her B.A. in German and Journalism from the University of Alabama, and studied at the Universitat Hamburg in Germany.

Lindy Rivera: Lindy is also a Primary (3-6 year old) teacher at CFMS. Lindy received a B.S. in Psychology from Towson University in 2004. While in college she worked in various childcare centers and schools. During the 2004-05 academic year Lindy attended the primary training course at the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI) at Loyola College of Maryland. During that training Lindy came to CFMS as an observer and student teacher. Upon receipt of her AMI diploma and Masters of Education degree from the WMI in 2005, Lindy became a Primary teacher at CFMS. Lindy is also fluent in Spanish and proficient in French.

Elementary Teachers

Melinda Melone: Melinda received her AMI Elementary diploma from the WMI in May of 2004. In September of 2004 she opened the 4 th through 6 th grade class at CFMS. Prior to her Montessori training, Melinda received an M.A. in American Government from Georgetown University in 1994, an M.A. in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1989, and a B.A. in Politics from U. C. Santa Cruz in 1985. She has more than 20 years teaching experience in all levels from preschool through university. Before becoming an elementary teacher at CFMS, Melinda also trained and worked as a Catechist of the Good Shepherd at all three age levels.

Nieva Tiongson: Nieva joined the CFMS staff in September 2006 as an Elementary teacher. She came from prior Montessori teacher positions in the Northwest Territories in Canada and her native Philippines. Nieva received her AMI Elementary diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute in 1998. She completed 18 credits toward a Master of Arts from De La Salle University in Manila and is currently working on a Masters of Education through the University of Phoenix. Nieva also as a B.A. in Language Arts.

Administration

Wendy Shenk-Evans: Wendy became Director of CFMS in 2005. Shereceived her B.S. in Psychology from Duke University in 1992 and her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School in 1997. She was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1997 and pastored churches in North Carolina and Washington, DC. She was trained in Level I of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2004.

Judy Walsh-Mellett: Judy is currently the CFMS Director of Education. She first came to CFMS as a Primary teacher and catechist in 1984 and has held various positions at the school since then. Judy received her AMI primary diploma from WMI in 1982 and a B.A. in Theology and Sociology from Gannon University in 1980. She is also trained as a Catechist of the Good Shepherd in Levels I and II.

Catechists

Linda Allen: Linda began a joyful journey at CFMS in 1985 when she became a catechist assistant in the Afternoon Atrium Program for 3-6 year olds. In 1995 after completion of her training in Levels I, II, and III in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, she traded her work as an Intensive Care RN for the position of Primary catechist at the school. She currently works as both an Elementary (6-9) and a Primary (3-6) catechist. Linda also serves children with special learning needs and works with the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to assist other catechists who serve children with special needs.

Catherine Maresca: Catherine was one of the founders of CFMS in 1981. She is currently the Director of Religious Education for the school and continues to serve as a catechist for the 9-12 year old children. Catherine has a M.A. in Religious Studies from Howard University Divinity School and a B.A. in Theology from Trinity College. Catherine is also the founder and Director of the Center for Children and Theology and president of Parent Child Press. Catherine has been a trainer of adults in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in numerous locations throughout the US and most recently in Uganda.

Jodi-beth McCain: Jodi-Beth began working as a catechist in the Primary classroom in Sept. 2006. Jodi-beth began her journey as an educator while working with the Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia over 15 years ago. She completed her Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training for three to six year olds in 2005. Jodi-beth earned a B.A. in Religion from Duke University and and M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa.