WEMS Staff
Each teacher at WEMS has been chosen for his or her education, understanding of the Montessori method, warm spirit and ability to work as part of a team. Together, we provide a well-rounded learning community. Our lead teachers are certified by the American Montessori Society and all assistant teachers are experienced in their program and grade level.
Administration
Janet Gallagher
Founder and Head of School
Founded WEMS in 1997
MS Special Education, Wagner College, NY
BS Education, Hunter College, NY
Music Together® Specialist
Janet has enjoyed over 30 years of working with children and adults as a teacher and administrator. She is dedicated to inclusion and working with children with special needs. She is committed to creating a respectful school community among students, teachers and parents.
A Part of WEMS since 1997
Vickie Turnamian
Assistant Head of School
Instructor, Virginia Center for Montessori Studies
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Early Childhood Educator, and Teacher Educator
After teaching at the early childhood level for 18 years, Vickie transitioned to responsibilities as Assistant Head of School.
With a lifetime passion for learning, Vickie provides staff development and teacher training on topics related to Practical Life, Peace Education, and Positive Discipline.
A Part of WEMS since 2001
Kelly Rauscher
Administrative Assistant
Infant / Toddler Lead Teacher
Elementary Art Teacher
B.F.A. Painting and Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
B.F.A.Digital Illustration, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Certification
Kelly uses her understanding of infant and toddler development to work with toddlers helping them grow and learn as they accomplish milestones. Kelly brings her love of art to the elementary students inspiring the children’s creativity.
A part of WEMS since 2007
Audrey Tait
Administrative Assistant/ Assistant teacher
B.S. Education, Radford University, VA
Audrey taught Middle School for 30 years in Henrico County Schools.
A Part of WEMS since 2016
Toddler
Lauren Vinayak
Toddler Lead Teacher
American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Certification
After being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, Lauren knew she wanted to work with children. She fell in love with the Montessori method of education after sending all three of her own children to WEMS. Lauren knew instantly that a career among the WEMS community was the perfect opportunity to continue her love of working with children.
A Part of WEMS Since 2021
Miriam Johnson
Assistant Teacher and Intern
Certified Medical Assistant
Before joining WEMS, Miriam worked as a floor nurse for a small medical practice in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Since childhood, Miriam has had a passion for helping others and states her “favorite thing about Dr. Montessori was her love and devotion toward the human race. Maria Montessori knew that if the child gets lost then the whole human race is lost”.
A Part of WEMS since June 2021
Jessica Mito
Toddler Assistant Teacher
BA in Communication, Seattle Pacific University, WA
Jessica has worked in community-centered non-profit organizations and most recently as a postpartum doula. As a parent of two children at WEMS, she values the community, independence, and peaceful nature of the Montessori classroom.
A Part of WEMS Since 2023.
Early Childhood
Kelley Granger
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
Music Together® Specialist
After working in the insurance industry for ten years, and then becoming a stay at home mom of three boys, Kelley found her path to Montessori and WEMS. Her love and passion for Montessori grew as all three of her boys attended WEMS. More than twenty years of experience has provided both personal and professional growth and she credits the children for much of her learning and pleasure in teaching.
A Part of WEMS since 1998
Catie Niemoller
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
BS Mass Communications, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
Catie’s passion in Montessori stems from diverse experience working with children in a variety of school settings.
A Part of WEMS since 2015
Marleny Gaitan
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
BS Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
Marleny served as a Behavioral Counselor for children and adults for over 3 years.
A Part of WEMS since 2019
Laura Serosh
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Bethany Global University, MN in 2019.
American Montessori Society Early Childhood certificate.
Laura started working with children at a young age. Her love for children led her to pursue a Montessori teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education in 2019-2020. The following school year she taught English as a foreign language to both toddlers and lower elementary students in Tunisia. Laura is excited to enter back into the Montessori learning environment.
A part of WEMS since 2021.
Emily Nicholson
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
Before joining WEMS, Emily worked for a number of years in the equestrian industry.
A Part of WEMS since June 2021
Carolyn Miller
Early Childhood Lead Teacher and Elementary Support Teacher
B.F.A Painting and Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1990.
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
American Montessori Society, Infant/Toddler Certification
Carolyn is the mother of 3, and found her passion for guiding children over 22 years ago in Montessori
Schools. She enjoys teaching children’s yoga and art classes.
A Part of WEMS Since 2022
Chessie Hanna
Early Childhood Lead Teacher
B.A. in Religion and Theology from Trinity College Dublin
American Montessori Society Early Childhood Certification
As a mom and an educator, I admire how the child-centered Montessori approach encourages the child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. I have a deep love of learning and exploration that I love to share with children of all ages and abilities.
A part of WEMS since 2022
Samantha John
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Bachelors in Music Education, K-12, Virginia Commonwealth University
Vocal/Choral
Certificate of Art Integrated Learning, University of Richmond
Samantha has taught performing and visual arts across all age levels, abilities, and cultures for 7+ years. She is passionate about equitable education and accessible expression through the arts.
A Part of WEMS Since 2021
Lauren Walence
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
BA in Communication Studies from Clemson University, SC
M.Ed in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Virginia, VA
ASHA speech-language pathologist certification
Lauren received her in M.Ed in speech-language pathology and has worked in both the pediatric hospital outpatient setting and in a private inclusion preschool. She has been interested in Montessori for her own children at home and is looking forward to working professionally in the Montessori setting.
A Part of WEMS Since 2021
Grace Cox
Early Childhood Extended Day Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, minor in disability studies from Virginia Tech.
Before joining WEMS, I worked at a Montessori school in New Jersey for two years.
A Part of WEMS Since August 2023
Elementary
Natasha Siva Shook
Elementary Coordinator, Elementary Lead Teacher, Instructor for Advanced Institute for Montessori Studies
B.A. English, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
AMS Elementary I and II Montessori Certification
Natasha has a deep love of learning and community that she has shared with children, from toddler through elementary, and adults for over 20 years.
A part of WEMS since 1999
Wanda Vizcano
Elementary Reading Specialist
B.S. Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, VA
M.A. coursework
Wanda is trained in Orton-Gillingham Language instruction and has over 23 years of teaching experience helping children overcome reading difficulties and supporting learning differences.
A part of WEMS since August 2017
Jamie Custer
Elementary Lead Teacher
Associate Instructor for Virginia Center for Montessori Studies
MEd Curriculum and Instruction, Averett University, VA
BS Social Studies Education, University of Evansville, IN
American Montessori Society Infant and Toddler Certification
AMS Elementary II Montessori Certification
Jamie started her teaching career in 2004 teaching high school Social Studies. After leaving public schools in 2009, she attended Montessori Assistant Teacher training at Virginia Center for Montessori Studies and opened a small in-home Infant and Toddler program. Upon receiving her American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Certification in 2016, she joined WEMS. Jamie worked in the Toddler Class for four years and in 2020, she began working with Elementary students.
A Part of WEMS since 2016
Kelly Crosswell
Elementary Assistant Teacher and Intern
BS Environmental Science, University of Virginia
Currently working toward her American Montessori Society Elementary I Certification
Kelly joins WEMS after an eight year career in the renewable energy and nonprofit space. Kelly’s path to Montessori stems from experiences working with children of all ages as a swim lesson instructor and coach and from the joy in watching her own two children grow up.
A Part of WEMS Since 2021
Dr. David Esleck
Music Instructor
DMA, music, The Catholic University of America, DC
MA, Music, The University of Virginia, VA
MS, Music Education, Tennessee Technological University, TN
Dr. Esleck is on the faculty at the University of Richmond, and has a very active career as a musical performer and producer.
A Part of WEMS since 2009