Faculty and Staff
Primary Program
and Toddler Program
Sippy serves as a Primary Teacher at CFMS. Originally from Jinhua, China, she trained at the Zhejiang Academy of Art in Hangzhou and the China Drama Academy in Beijing. After working in China as an actor to integrate children’s theater with education, she moved from Shanghai to Virginia in 2019. She obtained her AMI Primary Assistant Certificate in 2020 and her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute in 2022, reflecting her commitment to Montessori education at CFMS. Sippy's rich background in performing arts brings a unique perspective to her teaching approach. Sippy loves her two cats, guinea pig and all kinds of animals.
Yamuna is the Primary Catechist. A graduate of Wilson High School in DC, Yamuna went on to receive her degree in Philosophy and History from Baruch College - City University of New York. Yamuna is a mother of four children, and has been a CFMS parent for ten years. After watching her oldest transition from CFMS into Middle School in 2019, she’s noted how well CFMS prepared her child for that transition. She has previously served as a Classroom Assistant in Upper Elementary, Lower Elementary, and All-Day Primary.
Janine joined CFMS as Classroom Assistant in 2019 and became a Primary Provisional Teacher in 2024. She has been working with children for 5 years at the RDU Tennis summer camp, where she served as a camp counselor and director. She was born and raised in Washington, DC. She graduated from Trinity Washington University in 2019 with a B.A. in Human Relations and a minor in Fine Arts. Janine has always been passionate about working with children. She earned a CFMS Montessori Teacher sponsorship to enroll in the AMI Primary Diploma Program through the Washington Montessori Institute beginning in the summer of 2024.
Sarahi is a Primary Teacher. She earned her AMI Primary Diploma from the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI) in 2022 and her Elementary Assistant Certificate at WMI in 2015. She was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she graduated from the University of Guadalajara in 2010 with a B.A. in Visual Arts with an orientation in Photography. Sarahi also was a volunteer for the University's Sea Turtle and Wildlife Rescue Center from 2005 to 2008. Sarahi and her husband Joey are parents of three sons, all of whom are former CFMS students.
Karen serves as a support assistant in Primary, as well as a frequent substitute in other CFMS classrooms and Elementary Extended Care. She has been a parent in the CFMS community since 2015. She served as a recess assistant, then a frequent substitute, and then became a part time assistant serving in the Upper Elementary Classroom Community in 2020. She joined the Primary team in 2022-23.
Allison is the 0-3 educator at CFMS. She received her AMI 0-3 diploma from The Montessori Institute in Denver and her M. Ed. from Loyola University, MD. She's taught in a variety of capacities from preschool to parent education and has focused on building communities for infants, toddlers and parents in the DMV for over 15 years. She is a RIE Associate (https://rie.org/) and works with families and schools to practice respectful caregiving for young children. Allison is also a parent to a student in Upper Elementary.
Elementary and
Adolescent Program
Jodi-Beth is the Elementary Catechist. She began working as a catechist in the Primary classroom in September 2006, and trained in all three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Jodi-Beth began her journey as an educator while working with the Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia over 15 years ago. Jodi-Beth earned a B.A. in Religion from Duke University and an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa. Jodi-Beth is fluent in Spanish and has begun work to develop bi-lingual materials for the 3-6 atrium. Her two daughters are graduates of CFMS.
Iryna is the Lower Elementary Teacher at CFMS. She was born in Germany and grew up in Ukraine. She holds a B.A. in English and M.A. in teaching English as a Second Language. She completed her AMI Elementary Diploma at the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis.
Before moving to the United States in December 2013, she served as a translator and taught at the undergraduate level. She has 16 years of teaching experience, the last 6 years of which have been in Montessori classrooms.
Iryna currently lives in South Carolina and is thrilled to return to the DMV this summer to join the CFMS community. Her great love is being a teacher. She loves the Montessori approach because it is designed to teach the children in a very kind and supportive way. She shared, “The environment we provide for the children is so positive and meaningful. I absolutely love ‘freedom within limits’. Each child can learn on their own pace and terms. You get to sing together, bond, decorate your work and laugh, all while learning something new! I love being in the classroom and helping children become the best version of themselves.”
Iryna is a big fan of animals, especially cats. She loves nature, music, and different cultures. Her life goal is to be a better person each day - to be kind, helpful, and supportive to everyone and everything around her. She also likes to learn new things and travel when she can. Her favorite place on earth is the beach.
Lauren is the Lower Elementary Assistant and Elementary Extended Care Coordinator. Born and raised in Atlanta, Lauren moved to Washington, DC after receiving her B.A. in Communications and Sociology from The University of Georgia.
In addition to her work experience in Montessori education, Lauren was a Montessori student herself from primary through 8th grade, and is thrilled to offer this unique perspective at CFMS. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, making arts and crafts, traveling, and playing with her two cats, Lucy and Julius.
Sarah is the Upper Elementary teacher at CFMS. She received her AMI Elementary diploma from Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola University, Maryland in 2010. She's taught Lower and Upper Elementary in Montessori School in the United States Virgin Islands and in Maryland. She served as the Washington Montessori Institute Course Assistant. In addition to her Montessori training, Sarah holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College and is trained through Level III in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
ANGELA
Angela Molfese joins us as the Upper Elementary Classroom Assistant. She is a community-oriented, Montessori-trained educator drawing on 20+ years building culturally relevant learning environments for adolescents. She has experience developing innovative curricula that “links place to learning” for students to see they have agency to create positive change in their local communities based around peace, equity, and social justice. To that end, Angela is currently enrolled in a EdD program to strengthen teaching practice of
developing critical consciousness within Montessori students, especially those of privileged identities. She is excited to work with Sarah to support our Upper Elementary learners with an eye toward our new Adolescent Program.
Angela is relocating to DC from the Research Triangle in NC in July. She and her husband Paul are excited to see their youngest child off to Scotland this fall as they enroll at St. Andrews.
Lori is the Adolescent Program Developer and Guide. Lori has been an educator in the DC Metro area for over 30 years. She has a Masters in Education in School Leadership from Harvard University and her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish from the University of Maryland, College Park. In the fall of 2023, Lori enrolled in the AMI Adolescent Program Diploma Course to round out her knowledge of teaching and learning in the Montessori Method. During her career, she was a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, the Director of STEM for DCPS, and a curriculum designer and developer. She taught and led schools in the Expeditionary Learning model which included deep and meaningful work in the classroom, field work, and integrated content studies as well as a focus on supporting individuals and the ways we work together. Lori is also a yoga teacher and a mom to two amazing kids and a feisty dog.
Administration
Keely Boomhower,
Head of School
Keely joined the CFMS community in June 2018 as the Head of School. She holds a B.A. in Art from Wittenberg University and an M.L.S. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Keely earned an early childhood certificate in Montessori education from the Seton Montessori Institute in 2001 and taught primary and adolescent students at Montessori schools in Ohio and Illinois. She gained broader administrative and development experience during her three years at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH and six years at National Cathedral School, in Washington, DC. Keely and her husband Dan have made Washington their home since 2012. Their older daughter attends The College of Wooster and their younger daughter is a Lower Elementary student at CFMS.
Student Support, Director
Kristi is the Director of Student Support. 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 University Maryland and became a Primary teacher at CFMS in September of 2001. In 2011, Kristi helped to establish the All Day Montessori program with Lindy Rivera. Kristi received her B.A. in German and Journalism from the University of Alabama, and studied at the Universität Hamburg in Germany. Kristi is trained in Level I of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She became a CFMS parent in 2017.
Kristi is the Director of Student Support. 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 University Maryland and became a Primary teacher at CFMS in September of 2001. In 2011, Kristi helped to establish the All Day Montessori program with Lindy Rivera. Kristi received her B.A. in German and Journalism from the University of Alabama, and studied at the Universität Hamburg in Germany. Kristi is trained in Level I of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She became a CFMS parent in 2017.
Development, Director
Andrea is the Director of Development and assists with the fundraising efforts for the school. She comes to CFMS with over 10 years of nonprofit development experience, previously with the Pontifical North American College. Born and raised in New Jersey, she moved to the Washington, DC area after earning her B.A. from the Catholic University of America. Andrea is also a current CFMS parent in All-Day Primary and Lower Elementary.
Business Manager
Angie is the Business Manager at CFMS. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Angie received her B.S. in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech. She spent most of her professional career in management consulting where she specialized in process redesign and productivity improvement. She lives in Potomac, MD with her husband and their three children.
Devlopment Associate
ERIN SHEEHY
Originally from North Dakota, Erin attended the University of Notre Dame where she played in the marching band and graduated with a B.A. in Art Studio. She then joined Notre Dame’s Echo service program, earning a M.A. in theology with a focus on catechetical leadership. Prior to CFMS, she also taught theology and coached volleyball at two local Catholic high schools. Additionally, she enjoys the creativity allowed through her photography business. She and her husband have two children in the Traditional Primary classroom.
Admin Coordinator
Duncan serves as Administrative Coordinator at CFMS. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Duncan earned a BA in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. He now lives with his wife, Catherine, and their three children in Cheverly, MD. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and going on adventures with his family.