First and foremost - I am a single mom to two very sassy, confident, responsible, independent and self-directed elementary children who have served as my Montessori experiments since they were in-utero. I have cooked with them, sang with them, read with them, hiked with them, laughed with them, cleaned with them, traveled with them, and now I regularly find myself battling them for song privileges over Alexa. They are my joy, my blessing, my pride, my stress, and my most prized creation in the entire universe.
A passionate advocate for social justice and equity in education, I am dedicated to creating diverse, inclusive spaces where all community members feel valued and empowered. I partner with schools to develop intentional, culture-conscious learning environments and cultivate leaders who embrace the magic of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Alongside this work, I am a lifelong Montessori educator, mentor, and consultant, devoted to advancing Montessori education. I have supported countless students, families, and educators on their journeys, making this pedagogy not just my career, but my purpose.
This is me!
SARAH FONDRIEST
EDUCATOR, MENTOR & CONSULTANT
My own Montessori journey dates back to 1979 when I first attended a small Montessori school on the South Side of Chicago, before moving along to another equally sweet Montessori school in Detroit. Plenty of years later, I stepped into my first Montessori training at the Washington Montessori Institute in Maryland, where I earned my AMI Primary diploma in 2000. I went on to guide Montessori primary classrooms in Massachusetts and Maryland before jumping into the AMI Assistants to Infancy training at The Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado in 2004. After a few years working with toddlers and more primary students, I decided it was time to really spread my wings and in 2010, I moved to Bergamo, Italy for a year to receive the AMI Elementary training.
In the midst of that intense and life-changing training in Italy, I linked up with three parents in Alexandria, Virginia to create The Del Ray Montessori School in 2011. After 13 years of loyally serving as the Head of School at Del Ray, I decided that it was time to move on - to spread my wings, my feathers, my tail, and my soul. In the summer of 2024, I embarked on a new adventure - one where I will continue to support people in their Montessori journey - as parents, educators, administrators, and school leaders.
I have spent my entire 25-year career preparing for this moment. And I am thrilled to get started collaborating and uniting communities of people, in honor of children.
Professional Experience
2011 - 2024
Co-Founder & Head of School, The Del Ray Montessori School
School founder and leader, serving faculty, children and parents in the Northern Virginia area. Also served as an Interim Guide for Primary, Toddler, and Elementary Classrooms, intermittently over the years to cover long-term absences.
2017 - Present
AMI Primary Consultant AMI/USA
Knowledgeable consultant working closely with school communities throughout the United States to provide guidance, support, and advocacy for the children to receive an authentic Montessori experience that aligns with AMI Montessori principles and practices.
2000 - 2013
Toddler Guide & Primary Guide
Served as a teacher, guide, and champion of all children in AMI-recognized schools guiding classrooms of children ages 16 months - age 6.
PRESENTATIONS,
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
& MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Sarah is a fabulous presenter, leaning on her 25 years of experience, her quick wit, sarcasm and great sense of humor to share, stimulate and motivate adults to do their best work with children - and each other!