Our Vision
To transform early learning centers so that every child learns and excels.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform the early learning landscape through delivering and promoting of managerial excellence, strengthening leadership skills, conducting educational research, and training school leaders.
Our History
As true educators, our legacy has ceaselessly encompassed Experience, Expertise, and Education, thus, delivering top-notch service with excellence since 1952. Our entire approach toward children’s overall growth and wellness was designed and developed by well-experienced experts.
All our activities and learning processes promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination, as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors.
Our Patron
As a Montessori School in Chantilly, Virginia, Maple Lawn Montessori grew out of a yearning for learning. After toiling laboriously to integrate ICT into higher education, we felt that the best approach to bridge the gap between what is being taught and the needs of the learner was to implement tactile learning. This idea was not the result of a dream but an appetite to rejuvenate the present system of education, which has several lacunae. It was a desire to provide a learning platform that gave children in their naissance age complete autonomy over their learning environment.
Our Mentors come from a family of well-established and experienced educators. We want to sculpture the existing teaching methodology to make it more suited to the learner of the 21st century.
In our quest, we are joined by a team of experienced educators from various parts of the globe contributing to Maple Lawn’s Hybrid Contemporary Education.
– OUR TEAM –
Vesna Bajic
Center Director
My name is Vesna Bajic. I moved to the USA 8 years ago with my family.
I graduated from college in Serbia and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management. I have six years of experience working as an Early Childhood Educator and I have a great passion for supporting children and their families.
I take great pride in knowing that our center is one that strives for excellence and quality in child care while promoting our co-operative spirit. My goal is to provide the best environment for children to grow up, to encourage a balanced school environment where children could develop in all directions, not only intellectually and physically, but also cultivate good personality and habits.
In my spare time I love to read, watch documentaries, explore new countries and cultures.
Ximena Grijalva (Alex)
Assistant Director
My name is Ximena Grijalva but everyone knows me at Maple Lawn as Ms.Alex I am the Assistant director. I am from Lima,Peru. I moved to the United States when I was only 8 years old. I graduated from Westfield high school and also earned my Montessori teaching certificate back in 2016. I have 9 years of teaching experience. I love working with children and learning from them. Working at Maple Lawn has been an amazing experience. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and go shopping.
Maria Winfield
Montessori Teacher
Hello, my name is Maria Winfield. I’ve been a teacher at Maple Lawn Montessori for more than five years. I have experience teaching traditional Pre-K Class and Montessori class. I enjoy teaching because it gives me the opportunity to witness and participate in the process of guiding young children from the toddler stage to fully prepared school-age students.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three teenage children. I also enjoy being involved at my church helping to share the Gospel with visitors and new members.
Carolina Montalvo
Toddler Teacher
My name is Carolina Montalvo and I am from Salvador. I graduated from high school in my country and I have been working with children for 12 years. I enjoy working with children and watching and helping them to learn and grow. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family.
Tania Ortiz
Pre-K Teacher
My name is Tania. I am a teacher at Maple Lawn Montessori. I have been working with children since I was 15. I graduated from high school back in 2013. I have two kids of my own that I love very much. I love teaching because I enjoy helping others learn and grow. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Luciana Roca
School Age Teacher
My name is Luciana Roca. I am the School age teacher at Maple Lawn Montessori. Working with children has always been something that I’ve really enjoyed doing, helping them on their homework and teaching them about daily routines. I joined Maple Lawn in January 2022 and I really enjoy it. I am currently a senior in high school and working my way up towards graduation. After graduating I want to go to college to get my teaching degree. In my free time I love spending time with my friends and family.
Enedinna Parra
School Age Teacher
Hi, my name is Dina and I was born in Peru. I am proud to be a part of the Maple Lawn Montessori Team. I have a true passion for working with our youngest learners and helping them progress in all areas of their development—academic, social, language, and motor.
In my spare time I love to watch movies, go to church, and take nice long walks.
Bandana Pokharel
Infant Teacher
My name is Bandana Pokharel. I am from Nepal. I went to college in my hometown in Nepal and studied BA. I have been involved in early childcare almost all my life. I have been in this industry for more than 30 years and preschool has always been my area of expertise. Initially I joined preschool out of boredom as both my kids were going to school in 1990. Then I started loving the kids I worked with and wanted to make it my career. I love the innocence of these little children I work with as they let me be like them when I am with them. I get to forget that I am an adult and become carefree for the moment I am with them. I am at peace with these little ones. I also taught yoga to elementary age groups for 15 years.
In my spare time I like to spend time with my granddaughter and my family.