Our Staff

Heidi Paddock

Heidi grew up in northern Virginia in a family of educators. Her first job as an assistant teacher in a private elementary school helped her discover her love of teaching young children, and she has volunteered with many children's programs since then. An avid reader, Heidi spent 5 years working in a public library. While there, she gained an interest in community service and children's programming. She especially enjoys watching children learn about nature and art in a hands-on way, and is eager to bring such opportunities to the Butterfly classroom. In her free time, Heidi is usually birdwatching, painting, or reading!

A recent move to the area brought Heidi to the Montessori School of Charlottesville, and she is so grateful to be a part of your toddler's educational journey!

Vrinda Abhyankar

Vrinda was born and grew up in India. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from SNDT University in Mumbai, India and her Montessori training at VCMS, Richmond VA. Prior to joining MSC, she worked with COER (Center for Opportunities in Education and Rehabilitation) where she worked with typically developing children and those with special needs, a rare experience as mainstreaming in India. Vrinda served as the Rainbow Room assistant in the fall of 2011 and took over the lead teacher position in the fall of 2018. Outside of the school she likes to cook and go on hikes with her family.

Shipra Biswas

Shipra was born and raised in Bangladesh. She finished her BS (biology major) at the National University. Before moving to the US she worked as a lab tech in the department of Biochemistry and molecular genetics at the Kobe University School of Medicine in Japan. She taught Bangladesh culture and history to Japanese elementary students. After moving to the USA she worked at the Child Development Center at UVA. She completed here Child Development Associate courses while working at CDC. She joined our staff in 2012 as an assistant in the Dragonfly Class and now works in the Rainbow Room.

Gloria Boesenberg

Gloria grew up in Indiana, where she received a B.A. in Psychology from Earlham College. Besides working with children, she has also enjoyed working as a nursing assistant with the elderly and as a house parent for adults with developmental disabilities. Gloria joined our community as an assistant in 2014, and she completed her Early Childhood teacher training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2018. She finished her M.A. in Montessori Education and Leadership at St. Catherine University in 2023. In her free time, Gloria spends time crafting, reading, wandering outside, and appreciating her family.

Gloria is excited to start her new role of Program Director in the Summer of 2024. She will help as lead in the Star Room until a trained Primary Guide is hired.

AYsha Khan

Aysha came to MSC as a parent. Her child went through the star room before she decided to start working with us as a Substitute Teacher. She is now the assistant teacher in the Star Room and is thrilled to be working with the same group of children daily.

Aysha has a love of learning and is passionate and energized to learn more about Montessori Education.

Maggie Banks

Maggie was born and raised in Batesville, VA. She graduated from Western Albemarle in 2013 as a top athlete in the state. After graduation she received a track and field scholarship to Radford University where she competed at the Division One level as a pentathlete and javelin thrower. 

Maggie has worked extensively with children over the years. She has a particular love of the toddler age group as they explore language and socialization. She is a product of a Montessori education where she gained a strong sense of independence and confidence in her abilities. She is incredibly excited to join the MSC community. 

Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her family, watching football with her husband Tre, yoga, and playing with her daughter Leilani and her 80lbs lap dog, Bella. 

Kadija Mohamud

Kadija was born in Kenya. Her family moved to Charlottesville in January of 2004 when she was 6. She played soccer and was on the swim team and started Junior Coaching the 5 and Unders when she was 13-16. She also did an internship with Charlottesville Public Works. Kadija began her work with children at Parks and Rec Summer Camps leading arts and crafts and playing with the children.

Kadija is a valued member of the Star Room and works as an assitstant teacher with Gloria.

Atti Rattelman

Atti is a student at UVA and has worked with MSC in several roles over the past few years. She is excited to join us as the afternoon teacher with the toddlers for the 2024-25 school year.

Anna Cook

Anna has always felt a warm and welcoming connection with MSC since moving to Charlottesville to pursue her Montessori teaching career. She holds a BS in Business Marketing, MA in Early Childhood Education and Montessori Primary Certification.

Anna returns to Gordon Avenue after working as a lead in the Rainbow Room at Cutler lane. Her commitment to Montessori education has continued with her own children, through operating an in-home care service, and by specializing in customer support with record-keeping on the Montessori Records Xpress platform. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, exploring new travel destinations and enjoying a cup of tea.

Lilly Devries

Bio Coming Soon

Frishta Mohammad Asif

Bio coming soon

Administration

Soren Jones 

Soren is a Virginia native. He spent several years between Santa Cruz and Berkeley California where he got his undergraduate degree in History at UC Berkeley. Soren worked for the Oakland Unified School District as a teacher in Elementary Afterschool Programs. He worked on numerous research projects including an oral history of Appalachian traditional music and an archaeological dig in Greece in 2016.

Soren moved to Charlottesville in 2017 and started at MSC as an office manager. He completed his Montessori Leadership Credential in the Spring of 2024 through CGMS. After 7 years at MSC Soren is very excited to start his role as Administrative Director in the Summer of 2024.

Gloria Boesenberg

Gloria grew up in Indiana, where she received a B.A. in Psychology from Earlham College. Besides working with children, she has also enjoyed working as a nursing assistant with the elderly and as a house parent for adults with developmental disabilities. Gloria joined our community as an assistant in 2014, and she completed her Early Childhood teacher training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2018. She finished her M.A. in Montessori Education and Leadership at St. Catherine University in 2023. In her free time, Gloria spends time crafting, reading, wandering outside, and appreciating her family.

Gloria is excited to start her new role of Program Director in the Summer of 2024.