FUNMI KUYE
Ms. Funmi, the Director and Licensed Owner of The Montessori School of Washington, D.C. (MSOW), brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Ms. Funmi holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA from the University of Maryland. She also earned her Montessori Early Childhood certificate from the North American Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia.
Before acquiring MSOW, Ms. Funmi spent over 20 years in Corporate America, gaining extensive experience in Business Finance and Accounting. Her venture into the childcare sector was driven by a deep love for empowering children through Montessori teachings. She is committed to inspiring, motivating, and nurturing children, believing that "The greatest development is achieved during the first years of life, and therefore it is then that the greatest care should be taken...," as quoted by Maria Montessori. Funmi's leadership approach is rooted in the collaborative and holistic nature of the Montessori philosophy, and her mission is to help parents recognize the profound benefits of Montessori education for their children, who are our future leaders.
In her spare time, Ms. Funmi enjoys spending quality time with her family, mentoring children, reading, writing, listening to music, appreciating art, traveling, and cooking.
WALAA AGHA
Ms. Walaa is an educator, mentor, and leader dedicated to transforming children’s lives by nurturing their potential and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in business and political science, along with an Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential accredited by MACTE. Her educational philosophy centers on empowering children to become independent, responsible, and accountable individuals who are confident in their ability to think critically, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
For the past six years, Ms. Walaa has devoted her career to Montessori education, serving in various capacities that have deepened her understanding of child development and learner-centered education. Through the Montessori approach, she strives to create environments where children develop curiosity, self-discipline, confidence, and a genuine passion for learning. She believes that education extends far beyond academic - it is about guiding children to discover their strengths, embrace responsibility, and become lifelong learners equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Each role Ms. Walaa has undertaken has enriched her professional growth and strengthened her ability to lead, collaborate, and inspire. She is deeply committed to fostering the growth and success of every child entrusted to her care.
KARLA MEJIA
Ms. Karla Mejia is a dedicated early childhood educator with over nine years of experience fostering growth in diverse learning environments. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to feel valued, capable, and empowered throughout their educational journey. As a Montessori educator for over five years, Ms. Mejia is deeply inspired by the Montessori approach to fostering independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Ms. Karla believes children thrive within a carefully prepared environment that encourages exploration, self-discovery, and meaningful hands-on experiences. Her primary goal is to cultivate a classroom community where kindness, respect, diversity, and inclusion are celebrated.
Ms. Karla is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College. Simultaneously, she is completing the required coursework to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and advance her Montessori training.
SARAH ZHANG
Ms. Sarah brings a rich background to our team and the toddler classroom, having dedicated herself to early childhood education since 2016. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education Leadership from Rasmussen University and is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Ms. Sarah's passion for children and holistic education is evident in her approach to teaching. She is committed to creating an environment where every child can thrive, fostering self-motivated growth, nurturing curiosity, and encouraging a desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect. She truly enjoys guiding young learners and values the trust and bond she builds with her students. Ms. Sarah is also excited to enroll in the Early Childhood Montessori training program and will be teaching Chinese as an enrichment.
Outside of teaching, Ms. Sarah loves traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her favorite children's author is Eric Carle. She is eager to become a part of our vibrant community and contribute to the development and success of each student.
