The Del Ray Montessori School is a non-profit Montessori School located in the quaint Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, we are associated and recognized by AMI/USA (Association Montessori International). Founded in 2011, we serve children ages 18 months through age 12 and their families in the DC metropolitan area.
Describe a Montessori education with one word: Liberating, for child, parents, & teachers
Elementary Curriculum Coordinator
Fabienne has over 8 years of experience working in education with 4 years as a Montessori educator. She guided a Montessori Primary classroom for 3 years in South Florida and moved to the DVM area in 2020, to guide the DRMS Elementary community. Fabienne led the DRMS Elementary classroom for three years and now joins the admin team as the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator.
Fabienne is an AMI trained guide at the Primary and Elementary levels. She completed her Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Loyola Maryland and received her BA in Anthropology from Davidson College in NC. In addition, Fabienne received a Master’s in International Education from the University of Alcala, while living in Madrid, Spain. She speaks Spanish.
Outside of work, Fabienne has been excited to explore how to incorporate Montessori philosophy and practice into her new role as mom to her 9-month-old son Lucca! She also loves all things crafty! She knits, sews, paints, and enjoys the odd furniture rehab from time to time. She also enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, jogging, or just strolling. Fabienne loves to explore Rock Creek Park and all the other beautiful natural parks and rail-trails in the DVM area throughout the year.
How did you come to learn about and love Montessori?
I was a Montessori Primary child until the age of 5, and my mother is and was a Primary Montessori teacher. She always tried to encourage Montessori principles in our household when my siblings and I were young. After teaching abroad in traditional education settings, it was my mother who encouraged me to look into Montessori as a professional. I took one Montessori course and that was it, I was hooked. Montessori offered me a pedological perspective that felt natural and deeply respectful of the child.
What is your favorite Montessori lesson?
It’s so hard to pick just one lesson or one material. I think the beauty of Montessori lessons is the multiplicity of ways they can be adapted and shaped to suit the learning needs of the child. That being said, the Elementary Geometry lesson are truly beautiful in their simplicity and precision of concepts. I love giving the geometry lessons and seeing how masterfully the materials engage the students in independent exploration and discovery!
Describe the one WOW factor story you have seen in your children since you have taught Montessori:
Each year, I am floored by the the students' growing abilities to empathize and demonstrate thoughtfulness and care for their peers and community. The classroom moments that feel truly meaningful are when students step up to help and support each other and work together to improve their community! It's an honor to be part of the peaceful community the children create with their love for each other.
