Leadership & Faculty Oneness-Family School (OFS)

Email

andrew@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Andrew Kutt is Founder and Chairman of the Board of Oneness-Family School, the Montessori-based, international peace academy founded in 1988 in Bethesda, MD. He serves on the board of the International Montessori Council and is a founding member of the Montessori Peace Academy, which advises schools with a peace-centered curriculum.

Academics, self-discovery, and world service are integral parts of the curriculum Andrew developed at Oneness-Family School, a curriculum that is sought after and has been adopted in schools around the world. The program is recognized for its success in preparing students with the leadership skills necessary to understand and meet the challenges of the 21st-century, global society. 

Andrew has spent the past 30 years in Montessori education, guided by Maria Montessori’s adage “to follow the child” in his work as teacher, administrator, trainer, and educational consultant. In addition to academics, his curriculum materials address positive discipline, conflict resolution, diversity, happiness, and other extensions to the Montessori classroom.

Originally from Massachusetts, Andrew earned his B.A. from Assumption College and pursued 4 years of graduate studies in languages, literature, and philosophy at the University of Tubingen and the University of North Carolina before earning his Montessori teacher certification at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in Maryland. He began his teaching career under the direction of the renowned Montessori educator Tim Seldin, who inspired him to found Oneness-Family School and continues to be a mentor. 

A poet, songwriter, and musician, Andrew’s latest children’s CD is entitled Earth Songs and the piece “Montessori Child” is dedicated to Maria Montessori’s mission. Andrew writes regularly about education, cultural trends, and human development.  

Email

karen@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Karen started her career as a therapist with a psychotherapy practice in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, Maryland, supporting adults, children, and parents. Her interest grew as she saw the link between early intervention and the growth and development of children.  

Karen stepped into education as a school counseling consultant. Her experience taught her that through the empowerment of students and teachers, a Montessori education tapped into educating the whole child, positively contributing to a child’s academic, social, and emotional well-being.

Karen has a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland. After graduating, she specialized in individual, group, and play therapy. Her experience working with parents and children led her to Oneness-Family School, where she worked as a school counselor from 1988 – 2004. 

As a school counselor, she developed self-discovery groups and led elective courses catered toward adolescents, exploring female empowerment, positive relationships, and self-confidence. From 2004-2007 she served as the Director of Student Affairs and has been the Head of the Lower School for the past 15 years. In 2023, Karen transitioned to Head of School, overseeing both the Lower and High School campuses.

Karen grew up in Florham Park, New Jersey, and moved to Maryland to attend college. She has two adult children, Gabrielle and Elliot, both OFS alumni. In her free time, Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing golf, and finding true relaxation by the ocean.

Email

ariel@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Ariel holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Amherst College and a master’s in the psychology of mental health from the University of Edinburgh. An alum of Oneness-Family School, graduating in 2008, she is thrilled to be part of the Oneness-Family School mission and community.

Ariel is an avid cook and loves to throw elaborate dinner parties with friends and family. She spends her summers in Denmark visiting her siblings (also OFS alums), where you can find her reading a good book on the beach.

Email

estefani@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Born and raised in Peru until the age of 9, Estefani has traveled all over the world since but has called Montgomery County her home base for over two decades. An avid traveler and lifelong learner, she’s had the privilege to teach and guide students from all different cultural backgrounds and learning needs. She has over a decade of experience working with teachers, students, and their families to implement social-emotional development, mindfulness, and academic curiosity. 

She lives in Montgomery County with her three dogs and husband. When not on campus, she can be found snowboarding, skateboarding or painting.

Email

bodil@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Born in Göteborg, Sweden, Bodil is a Master Montessori teacher for newborns through age 12, and a PCI Certified Parent Coach®. She holds a B.A. in Education and Economics and a Master of Arts in Montessori Leadership. 

Bodil is also a Sensei black belt in Jiu-Jitsu with a focus on women and youth self-defense. It was during her accounting years that these students inspired her to change to Montessori education in 1987. She is still regularly inspired by students’ bright smiles when they figure out something new or overcome something that had at first been difficult.

Bodil’s resilience and can-do spirit were honed during the wilderness survival classes of her Swedish youth, which included digging herself into a snow ditch to sleep at night and surviving by day on what nature had to offer.

Email

finance@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Chelle joined the Oneness-Family School team in 2018 after working in accounting with the Wonders Early Learning and Extended Day Center and prior to that with Adventure Theatre-MTC. She believes that teaching is one of the most noble professions; however those who can’t teach, bill!

Hobbies
– Face Painting, Anime, SciFi/Fantasy
– Everything Dragon, Butterfly, and Glitter Fanatic!

Personal
– Indigenous Chamorro/Guamanian
– Husband, Three Boys, and One Dog  

Professional
– Marquette University Graduate
– Former Gannett Newspaper Reporter
– Former Accountant for Several Non-Profit Organizations

Email

hans@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Hans has always had a passion for creating moments of laughter and positivity. So being able to provide the next generation with a bit of laughter and joy in their lives is a big accomplishment in his eyes. With a degree in communications from Towson University, Hans has extensive experience creating community connections to help build a strong foundation for the school. 

In his free time, Hans enjoys playing games, spending time with family and friends, and discovering new music to add to his never-ending playlist.

Email

irene@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Irene has always wanted to expand her knowledge of the world around her. She had heard time and time again that children are the world’s greatest teachers and as she was thinking of taking the next step in a new direction of life, she found herself drawn to education. A graduate of Penn State University, Irene has had extensive years in the hospitality industry and has is now utilizing those skills here at Oneness Family School.

In her free time, you can find Irene rocking out to the latest K-Pop song, hanging out with her dog, Winston, or spending enjoying quality time with her family and friends. 

Email

luis@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Luis left a life in Restaurant Management to join the Oneness-Family School in 2012. Since then, he has assisted in ensuring that a variety of the school’s needs have been met, including (but not limited to) Facilities Management, Bus Driving, and Aftercare Supervision. Over the past few years, Luis (along with Arbor teacher Kelly Bristow) has also taken over leadership of the Earth Keepers Summer program, as well as leading classes on hiking excursions during the school year. 

Luis is also an alumnus of Oneness, having attended as a student from Pre-K through the 6th grade (way back in the ’90s). He has three children, “Junior”, Arianna, and Safiyyah, two of whom attended Oneness-Family School as the first second generation students. 

His interests include spending time in and learning about the natural world, writing, music, poetry, politics, and cooking.

Email

sharla@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Sharla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Science in Public Policy from the New School in New York city. She has one child at OFS and is grateful every day that their family is part of this diverse, nurturing, and caring community. She enjoys meeting people from all over the world and hearing how they found their way to Oneness.

In addition to her role in admissions, Sharla is a a mid-western east coaster who loves yoga (and is a recent Yoga Teacher Training Graduate), travel and jewelry. 

Email

chanee@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Dr. Chaneé Willis spent many years as a Marriage and Family therapist, later receiving her Doctorate degree in Christian Counseling and a graduate certificate in Forensic Psychology before deciding to shift her focus to the educational world.

Chaneé approaches her work with others through a holistic/authentic healing lens, implementing cultural responsiveness and self-empowerment. She has been working with individuals and families since 2010 and has experience in graduate-level teaching, clinical consultation and supervision, school-based and in-home therapeutic services, and athletic and life coaching.

Chaneé is trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, and has presented both statewide and nationally as a cultural facilitator, keynote speaker, and creator of sacred spaces.

She recently moved to DMV with her husband and beautiful brown goldendoodle, Lannister! Listening to smooth jazz and eating good food are definitely her happy places​, and she always has a snack stashed away somewhere to share.

Email

jen@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jen Cort is the Oneness-Family High School School Counseling Support Specialist. When not at Oneness, she consults for schools around the US and in other countries on connecting diversity goals with practices. Jen is also the host of Third Space With Jen Cort, an internationally syndicated podcast focused on equity in schools.

Email

noemi@onenessfamily.org

Biography

A native of Washington, DC, Noemi studies Finance and Marketing at Towson University. She is thrilled to be a part of the Oneness Family School’s community and its mission as the high school administrative assistant. 

Along with Andrew Faulstich and Luis Fermin, Noemi Nunez will also take on co-leading our High School PE Class this year. All her life she has been involved in sports – in addition to playing club basketball and being on the D1 rowing team in college, she plays soccer for local teams in the area and played professional soccer for the Dominican Republic during their initiation year in 2021-2022. Noemi was also 2nd seed in tennis in Washington, DC, during her high school years, and she currently plays American football for the DC Divas, an all-women’s football team! 

Noemi co-founded a non-profit organization called “La Union DC,” a youth-led, youth-driven art collaborative organization that mentors minority youth ages 13-24 with a passion for the arts, education, and entrepreneurship. She is also a founding member of the Dominican Association, another non-profit organization that connects Afro-Latino businesses and professionals within our community through networking. They assist OLA (Organization of Latino Actuaries) and other organizations along with the Mayor for the annual “Fiesta DC” celebration in downtown DC and various festivals and events throughout the community.

During her free time, she spends time with family and friends, attending concerts and sports gatherings. She also enjoys traveling and expressing her creativity through music and dance.

Email

regina@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Regina Dyson is a seasoned educator, organizer, and advocate with over 33 years of experience in community engagement, education, and nonprofit leadership. As of 2023, she serves as a Board Member and Chair of Montessori for Social Justice, and continues her work as Community Outreach Coordinator at Oneness-Family High School, where her youngest child graduated.

A dedicated Montessorian since 1992, Regina began her journey at an Afro-centered Montessori school in Atlanta and has since held a wide range of roles—including Executive Director, classroom assistant, afterschool coordinator, summer camp co-director, consultant, and developmental coach. Her expertise spans organizational transition, project management, HR, curriculum development, and parent engagement.

Regina is deeply committed to Montessori for all ages, with a focus on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (JEDIB). She is a passionate advocate for intergenerational coalition building, restorative justice, adolescent leadership, cooperative enterprise, environmental stewardship, service learning, and parents as partners.

Email

carina@onenessfamily.org

Biography

As a child from Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina, Carina knew she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and work with children. She began her career at Oneness-Family School in 2002 as a Montessori Assistant & Aftercare Teacher, where she learned the importance of preparing children socially, emotionally, and academically for higher education. Carina earned her MSDE teaching certificate in 2003 and her Early Childhood AMS Montessori certificate in 2011.

Carina believes parents and teachers should work together as allies to ensure children reach their full potential. She embraces the need to create an environment filled with age-appropriate materials and hands-on activities. She encourages children to explore, build social skills, and develop motor skills through Montessori lessons that are fun and positive.

Carina loves hiking in the mountains with her husband and their dogs Honey and Bruno in her spare time. Her favorite hobbies are biking and Pilates. Carina has practiced martial arts (Karate-Do) for many years and earned a black belt in 1998. She also devotes time to bringing awareness and funding to animal shelters or worldwide organizations that provide care for animals in need.

Email

clara@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Clara joined the Oneness-Family School in 2022 after previously working at a preschool for eight years with students ages two to three. She holds a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Teacher Credential. She finds working with toddlers inspiring, knowing that she is a part of their first school experience. Clara feels that it is a gift to help the youngest students explore the world around them. It brings her joy to watch the students grow throughout the school year. 

Clara lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with her husband, Jose, and their fur baby Remi. During her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and enjoys expressing her creativity through photography and crafting. 

Email

jashai@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jashai has been an educator at Oneness for four years and has been involved in the Montessori teaching environment since 2011. She holds an Early Childhood AMS Montessori degree.

From a young age, she has been passionate about working with children, and finds immense fulfillment in witnessing her students’ progress and development throughout the year. She believes that these formative years are crucial in shaping a child’s future and was drawn to the Montessori philosophy due to Maria Montessori’s belief in the child’s greater capabilities. One of her favorite Montessori quotes is, “Never do for a child what he can do for himself,” which reflects the importance of fostering independence and self-reliance.

Jashai Rowe resides in Rockville with her husband, Kofi, a correction officer, their 11-year-old daughter, Jade, who recently started 6th grade, and their energetic Cavapoo, Jet. Beyond teaching, she enjoys crafting stories, singing loudly and proudly, preparing tasty meals, engaging in family game nights, and traveling to Ghana to visit relatives.

Email

kumari@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Originally from Sri Lanka, Kumari is a certified early childhood Montessori teacher with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education and childcare. Becoming a parent opened her eyes to the incredible growth and development that takes place in children between the ages of 2-5, inspiring her to better understand how to nurture their full potential. This curiosity led her to pursue formal training in the Montessori method.

She was particularly drawn to the Montessori approach, which emphasizes independence, discipline, and respect for the learning environment. Kumari appreciates how Montessori not only nurtures a child’s curiosity but also instills a sense of order and responsibility—finishing a task, putting things back in their place, and preparing the space for a friend. She finds it to be a beautiful way to help children grow into mindful, capable individuals.

Kumari is grateful to be part of the Oneness-Family School community and is excited to learn, share, and grow alongside the children and educators there.

Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys swimming and running. Having completed a few half marathons, she now focuses on 5K runs, keeping her passion for the sport alive. 😊

Email

lisa@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After more than 15 years of teaching and raising children, Lisa uses her sense of humor to explain concepts in a simple way, attuned to the student’s ability level.

A certified Maryland State Department of Education and Montessori teacher, Lisa has a BA in Performing Arts and a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy with a minor in Counseling Psychology.She believes it is important for students to develop the ability to confidently think through problems and track their thinking process as they move toward a solution.

Yet for Lisa, the greatest lesson a teacher can bring to students is to help deepen their ability to love and cherish themselves. A key part at OFS is the emotional literacy program that teaches students to become aware of their feelings and those of their classmates. This then makes it possible to help them navigate through situations of conflict using healthy communication methods—and in turn fosters a lifelong skill set.

In her spare time, Lisa likes to dance and write poetry.

Email

matthew@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Matthew began his career as a Montessori teacher over 25 years ago after taking part-time summer work at a Montessori school operated by family friends. This experience confirmed something that Matthew already knew, which was how much he enjoyed connecting and interacting with children. Wanting to deepen this experience and pursue a meaningful career led him to begin Montessori teacher training that same year.

The experience of learning while teaching is continually rewarding for Matthew. His love of pursuing and sharing knowledge about many topics carries over to the students, helping them feel proud of what they know while recognizing that adults are still learning, too. He approaches teaching with the hope that he will instill curiosity and confidence to explore in his students so that they will enjoy connecting with their world.

Matthew’s university studies in French later facilitated picking up Spanish, which he now speaks fluently with his Peruvian wife and her family, along with other friends and neighbors.

Matthew appreciates what he calls the “team-oriented approach and atmosphere of unity” at Oneness-Family School, working with and supporting colleagues while enjoying the same from them. 

Fun fact: Years ago, he singlehandedly dug and set up a 750-gallon garden fishpond so his father could relax outdoors, watching beautiful carp splash and swim.

Email

melissa@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Melissa came to the teaching field and Oneness-Family School in 2014 after a long career working for the Washington Post. Her areas of expertise and experience encompass special education and recreational coordination, as well as childcare. She holds an MSDE teacher certificate and an Early Childhood AMS Montessori degree.

Melissa is a lifelong learner and devoted to teaching young children minds. When a child has a question, she takes the time to converse, explore, and experiment with an idea so that they develop an interest in knowledge in the subject. She aims to connect with each child and make them feel seen and heard.

Melissa enjoys art, playing with her cat Java, and teaching her bird Flare tricks. She loves nature and the feeling of being connected to something greater than herself and traveling to find beauty in the things she hasn’t seen or experienced before. 

Email

cameron@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Cameron came to Oneness-Family School after five years at Wellan Montessori School in Massachusetts, where he supported children’s growth and learning in a variety of classroom settings. His work there gave him valuable experience with Montessori education and a deep appreciation for the independence and curiosity children bring to their learning. Cameron graduated from Grinnell College, where he honed his skills in research, writing, and communication, as well as his ability to collaborate and think critically. 

In the classroom, Cameron brings warmth, attentiveness, and curiosity to his interactions with students. He is committed to creating an environment where children feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and exploring their interests. Cameron believes that learning is most powerful when it is connected to a child’s natural sense of wonder, and he strives to nurture that spark by listening carefully and responding thoughtfully. 

Outside of school, Cameron practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and enjoys running, he is also a lifelong fan of the beach, hiking, baking and is a devoted supporter of Boston sports teams. In addition to these interests, Cameron has a rich background in Buddhist practice, he was previously ordained as a monastic under the Thai Theravāda Buddhist tradition and continues to cultivate his practice at Wat Thai Washington, D.C. This grounding in mindfulness and reflection deeply informs his teaching, helping him to remain present, patient, and engaged with each child.

Email

carol@onenessfamily.org

Email

marlyn@onenessfamily.org

Biography

A certified Maryland State Department of Education and Montessori Assistant teacher, Marlyn finds it exciting to be part of the beginning of a child’s educational journey. She finds meaning in both teaching and learning from the youngest students at Oneness-Family School.

Marlyn is currently getting a degree in Early Childhood Education. She lives in Prince George’s County with her parents, siblings, and puppy Rambo. During her free hours Marlyn loves spending time with family and friends, and traveling whenever she can.

Email

andrea@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Andrea Dillon is pleased to join Oneness Family School after many years as an Upper Elementary teacher in Boston, where she taught Math and Geometry, Language Arts, Cultural Studies, and a class on farming. Andrea holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies from Plymouth State University. In 2017, she began her Montessori Elementary II training through METTC. She utilizes strategies from Collaborative Problem Solving in her practice. 

Andrea enjoys too many hobbies to keep track of or participate in at once, such as ice skating, oil painting, kayaking, hiking, woodworking, baseball, reading non-fiction, going to the beach, and especially dancing. But these days, her main creative outlet has been gardening. For five years, she had a Victory Garden in Fenway, where she spent her summers gardening alongside the roar of the Red Sox games. She has been learning about the flora here this year and is looking forward to writing this chapter and supporting students as they make their way in the world. 

Email

emiko@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After four years in Chicago, where she taught at the Near North Montessori School and the Guidepost Montessori School, Emiko is excited to return to her hometown of Bethesda, Maryland, and join the Oneness-Family School team. She has a degree in Political Science from Tulane University in New Orleans and is currently completing her Master’s in Teaching at American University.

In Emiko’s free time, she can be found on the tennis court, running on the Crescent Trail, or enjoying a hot yoga class. She also loves to read, meditate, and attempt the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. Emiko looks forward to sharing her passion for movement and mindfulness with the Academy class.

Email

kelly@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Kelly Bristow is an accomplished educator with a passion for inspiring young minds. She holds a degree in Art History from American University and has taught in various settings throughout her career. Her journey as an educator began when she taught English in South Korea, where she honed her skills in communication and cultural sensitivity.

After returning to the United States, Kelly worked at the National Zoo, leading tours and sharing her love for animals with visitors of all ages. She then transitioned to a role as a substitute and aftercare teacher at Oneness-Family School, where she gained valuable experience working with children of all ages and abilities, before becoming a teacher in the Lower Elementary class in 2020.

Kelly’s teaching philosophy centers on empowering children to ask questions, seek answers, and become advocates for themselves and their communities. She believes that education is more than just acquiring knowledge; it’s about fostering empathy, justice, and connection.

When she’s not in the classroom, Kelly can be found indulging in her love of reading, writing, drawing, crafting, and playing music. She has a particular fascination with animal behavior, fashion history, and art, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her students whenever possible.

Email

robin@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Robin joined the Oneness-Family School team in 2017 after relocating from Boston, where she began her teaching career in Boston Public Schools. She is a graduate of Tufts University (B.A.) and Boston University (M.A.), and has completed her Montessori training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. Within Montessori, she is particularly drawn to the idea of the teacher as observer and experimenter in the classroom, which makes every day its own adventure.

Outside of school, Robin spends time with her husband and their rascally rescue dog, Bandit. Her passions include reading and travel, and she is a lifelong student of languages.

Email

shelby@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University, Shelby Alston joined the Oneness-Family School in 2014. She has a B.A. in English and Sociology. While attending college, Shelby was a member of several prominent campus clubs, including The Student Union on Black Awareness, Sisters United, and The Presidents club. She received many awards while at school, most notably a Golden Bishop award for her work in the community and as a tutor at a school in Columbus, Ohio. She loves to teach science and math and explore the fascinating concepts within each subject with her students.

Shelby enjoys reading, especially science fiction and fantasy in her free time. She also likes to spend time with her nieces, going on walks, having brunch with family and friends, and
Skype with her long-distance friends.

Email

sara@psokeefe.com

Email

hannah@onenessfamily.org

Biography

A Howard Hughes fellow who was awarded the Merck Fellowship while at Earlham College while earning her B.A.in biology, Hannah joined the Oneness-Family School team in 2009. She has a Montessori Secondary I-II credential.

Prior to joining the faculty, Hannah worked at the Thornton Friends School in Silver Spring, MD, where she served as Dean of Students in the Middle School, and as a science teacher for middle school and high school students. There she developed a 3-year integrated science curriculum for Middle School with an environmental focus. In addition to courses in the earth, biological, and physical sciences, Hannah taught courses in photography, nature writing, writing, literature, and physical education. 

Hannah lives in Mt. Rainier, MD with her husband, Ben, her two children, Wells and Paley, who both attend Oneness, and their cats, Charlie and Bandit. In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, and cooking. 

Email

pearl@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Pearl applies her scientifically trained mind and poetry-writing heart to provide versatile teaching and mentoring to Middle School students.

The mother of five nearly grown boys, she enjoys teaching difficult concepts and seeing “the light come on” when students break through to higher understanding. She welcomes their daily interactions and the challenges young teens pose to her adult perspectives on life.

Known to employ, by turns, power and tenderness, and pressure and patience in the work to inspire and instruct, Pearl is often amazed when witnessing the journey that her students make from immaturity to maturity, in academics and as people.

Pearl holds a BA in Chemistry and has earned a Montessori Secondary I-II credential. 

Email

andrew.faulstich@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Andrew believes in the potential for education to be transformative and empowering for all students. He developed and led international and U.S. education programs and taught students from 7 different countries in person, virtually, and in a hybrid format. He also experienced the full breadth of public and private educational institutions, working with early childhood through undergraduate, graduate, and adult learners. All of his work is geared toward providing empowering, culturally sustaining, learner-centered, anti-bias, antiracist, and equitable education to students around the world.

Andrew attended a Montessori school himself through Upper Elementary, which is why he returned to the method as a teacher. He opened two Montessori adolescent programs as a founding lead teacher: a middle and high school in Hollywood, Florida, and a middle school in Baltimore, Maryland. In those roles, Andrew most enjoyed building deep relationships with students, creating a holistic humanities curriculum, and collaborating with adolescent practitioners across the country. Andrew is driven by a desire to create prepared environments which meet the needs of all students, and he is looking forward to continuing that work at Oneness.

Andrew received his Master’s in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, his Bachelor’s in Anthropology from the University of Rochester, a certificate in Montessori Adolescent Studies from the Association Montessori Internationale, and a certificate in the Harkness Method from the Exeter Humanities Institute at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Email

jilly@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jilly Sher grew up with three sisters in New Jersey. She graduated magna cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Bowdoin College with a major in Francophone Studies and a minor in English Education. In 2025, she completed Bowdoin’s intensive teacher-training program as a postgraduate to earn a teaching certificate in secondary English. In 2023-2024, she taught English-speaking classes to college students in France. Professionally and personally, Jilly is drawn to self-expression in all its forms, including language, art, music, and literature. As a Humanities Teacher, she wants to help students find and hone their voices by building in opportunities for them to hear and share stories, especially those that are traditionally marginalized or silenced.

As an undergraduate, Jilly worked at Upward Bound to provide underserved high schoolers with the tools to become first-generation college students. Also at Bowdoin, she worked as a teaching assistant and completed a French independent study on post-colonial discourse and curriculum. Her love of mentorship extends back even further: in high school, she worked for the Girls’ Leadership Institute to help middle-schoolers develop leadership skills and build service-action plans. As a long-term Girl Scout, Jilly earned her Silver and Gold Awards, which focused on sharing the healing benefits of art and nature. 

Jilly is passionate about empowering those in her care through shared respect, wonder, and a heaping cup of joy. She is excited to join the Oneness-Family community this year!

Email

jarrett@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jarrett Arnold became a science educator in his thirties after earning his Bachelors in Biology and Masters in Education from the University of Oregon in 2008 and 2009, respectively. He has taught biology, chemistry, physics, art, and theater set design at the University of Oregon, Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, and The Field School and American University in Washington, DC. Prior to his career in education, he received his first degree in drawing and painting from the University of Georgia in 1997.

Originally from Georgia, Jarrett walked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1998 and completed two cross-continental bicycle tours. He remains an avid naturalist, hiker, and biker. He is happily married to Jaylene Arnold, a graphic designer, musician, and illustrator, and they have two adult children, Bodhi and Shashi. Jarrett continues to create art and exhibits his work frequently in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

Email

alleanna@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Alleanna believes education is the most important mechanism for social transformation and is passionate about building confidence in science.  

After earning a degree in Data Science from the University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on human and population health, she co-created a data science summer program called Berkeley Unboxing Data Science, dedicated to fostering curiosity and analytical skills in high school students.

Email

juan@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Juan is the son of Argentine immigrants. At an early age, Juan showed a fondness and a passion for languages and teaching. While growing up, Juan learned Spanish at home while learning Latin in school. He received his B.A. at Vanderbilt University (2012), a M.A. at Washington University in St. Louis (2015), and a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University (2023) in Classics. As a result of his education, Juan is both bilingual in Spanish and conversant in Italian. He can also read Latin, Ancient Greek, French, and German.

Juan began his teaching career at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas, where he taught Latin and Spanish for two years before pursuing his Ph.D. During his time there, Juan formed deep personal connections with students, often coaching and supporting the soccer teams or engaging with them in their hobbies, such as video games or Anime.

Juan also currently teaches undergraduates as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Some of his courses are Roman World, Classical Mythology, and Word Roots. His teaching style can be described as flexible, tailoring to the needs of his students while integrating activities that reinforce the ideas taught in class.

Email

raya@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After graduating with a degree in Art from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts, Raya moved to Paris, France, where she lived and earned a degree in Art and French Literature from the Université de La Sorbonne. 

Raya taught Art and French, first in the United Kingdom for ten years and then in the United States. She is passionate about her students and uses an innovative teaching approach to keep them engaged.

When she is not teaching, Raya is a professional artist and is the author and illustrator of the children’s book, “Joey the Leopard/ Have You Seen My Spots?” Her hobbies include painting, cooking, swimming, and Martial Arts. She is a fifth-degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do and practices regularly. 

Her mission in life: Be happy and make a difference in people’s lives!

Email

debbie@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Debbie’s career journey is like a winding road trip through diverse landscapes. She began as a computer programmer in a bank but shifted gears to become a Montessori teacher and later the Associate Director at the Oneness-Family School (1992-2009). She then took a sharp turn and ventured off-road to travel to Niger with the nonprofit Amman Imman: Water is Life as the Associate Director, where she inspired students to assist indigenous populations affected by climate change, desertification, and water scarcity.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Debbie has also acquired fluency in sign language through her journey. She learned sign language from her deaf housemate and quickly became her interpreter at local events. As a teacher at Oneness, she taught sign language to students and engaged them in fun performances at festivals and in-house events. Now, over a decade after “graduating” Oneness, she’s back on the road, teaching American Sign Language (ASL) at the high school level.

Debbie holds a Montessori teaching certification from 1992 and a B.A. in Education from Goddard College (2007). In her free time, Debbie writes poetry, enjoys hiking, and loves exploring the wilderness with dogs and kids of all ages.

Email

brian@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Brian was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and loved that he could explore from the oceans to the mountains. He worked as a veterinarian assistant, helped manage a Bed & Breakfast, guided whitewater rafting trips, and worked on a team building and remodeling houses. Eventually he headed off to the University of Washington, where he received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting.

He moved to Bethesda in 2003 with his wife and son, the latter of whom joined the Moon Room class at Oneness-Family School. Brian saw his son grow exponentially in the warm Oneness environment, and has stayed involved with the school intermittently over the years.

He has worked with the high school students as an art instructor since its inception. With the youngest students, he focuses on exploring materials and colors; as the students age and become more confident in their abilities, he starts focusing them on a more structured academic approach to art and color theory.

In his free time, weather permitting, you can usually find him leading rafting trips or swiftwater rescue training on the Potomac River, just below Great Falls. 

Email

guido@onenessfamily.org

Biography

John Guido Vitullo is a musician and music teacher living in Northern Virginia, originally from Youngstown, Ohio. After graduating with a music performance degree from Youngstown State University, he moved to DC where he teaches private percussion lessons, rock band classes, and general music classes.

Guido performs on a drumset with two local groups: Twisted Flags, a classic and modern rock cover band, as well as The i-Talians, an Italian pop band. He also has worked and performed in musical theater pit orchestras in venues like the Keegan Theater, Little Theatre in Alexandria, and Arena Stage. Guido believes that music education is about more than cultivating good musicians. It’s about connecting students to a history of music making and allowing them to find their own artistic voice. 

In his free time, he enjoys video and tabletop gaming, cooking, and gardening. 

Email

alex.fisher@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Alex Fisher is excited to return to Oneness full-time as a floating teacher, having previously served as an Earth Keepers counselor. He attended Oneness until third grade before pursuing a degree in Psychology at Oberlin College, where he graduated in 2024. Alex has gained valuable experience working with various childcare and educational organizations, including City Year DC, Hand-in-Hand Parenting, and Minds Matter.

His ultimate goal is to become a child psychologist, and he will also be collaborating with Estefani, Director of Student Affairs.

Email

fiorenza@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Fiorenza joined the Oneness-Family School World Language Team in 2019. Born in Bergamo, Italy, she moved to the DC area in 2009 where she discovered her passion for teaching the Italian language to students. From 2012 to 2014, Fiorenza carried out the “Nati Per Leggere DC” project, reading in Italian to children in the public libraries of DC and Northern Virginia. 

Fiorenza also works as a teacher at the Casa Italiana Language School DC and the Italian Cultural Society of Maryland. She is an active member of the Italian non-profit organization Italians in DC. When not teaching Italian, she enjoys reading, classic and modern ballet, opera, musicals, and visiting museums with her family.

Email

jackie@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jackie was born in Chile, where she pursued her bachelor’s degree in education. Twenty-two years ago she moved to Maryland and since then has been dedicated to teaching children and adolescents Spanish as a world language.

Jackie teaches with real passion, focusing on building a true connection with the student as a conduit to facilitate the learning process. She identifies the students’ skills and their needs to plan the best path towards target language goals, giving special attention to the engagement and motivation of each student. Overall, Jackie loves to teach through culture and life’s experiences.

Since 2001, Jackie has worked at Oneness-Family School as the World Language Coordinator and as a Spanish teacher. She teaches students from 3-years-old to 8th grade, an experience that has given her a vast understanding of children’s developmental stages. Jackie feels incredibly pleased when she introduces the Spanish language to the younger students through songs, games, role-playing, and craft activities and sees how fast students can learn. She feels equally rewarded when her middle school students learn grammar and conjugations, write paragraphs, and work on oral presentations. Jackie’s passion is embraced in each of her classes, no matter the age or the grade. 

As a tutor, Jackie has helped many students to overcome the challenges of learning a foreign language. She gives strong attention to the needs of her students and works with them toward their success, promoting their confidence and enhancing their knowledge. Her goal is that her students not only learn Spanish but enjoy the learning process.

Email

michael@onenessfamily.org

Email

shatera@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Shatera joins the Oneness family as a yoga teacher and wellness practitioner, having acquired E-RYT500 certification through formal training in NYC and Palomino, Colombia. A passionate advocate for social-emotional learning and transformative education, Shatera has dedicated her career to designing and facilitating liberatory learning experiences and environments.

Shatera brings over a decade of experience as an educator, leader, and facilitator committed to cultivating joy, equity, and wellness in schools and communities. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Child Development from Spelman College, dual master’s degrees in Childhood Education and Special Education from Manhattanville College, and an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. Her career spans classroom teaching, restorative justice leadership, and curriculum design, including roles as a science teacher, special educator, Dean of Culture, curriculum consultant, and professional development trainer. Currently, she serves as Director of Learning + Unlearning with The Ella Baker Institute, whose namesake is a true hero and role model of hers.

Likewise, at home she enjoys hosting family and community gatherings, flowing through yoga practice, and curating spaces where people can learn, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. The only thing Shatera loves more than that, is traveling to do more of the same. She’s been to over 20 countries, drawing inspiration from the people and cultures she encounters along the way– a proud New Yorker who hopes to touch foot on all seven continents one day (6 down, one to go!). When she’s not hosting or traveling, Shatera volunteers with Thread, leveraging the power of relationships to support Baltimore City students through graduation and beyond, and offers free yoga and meditation classes to the Baltimore City public with “Free Baltimore Yoga.

Email

victorine@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After a twenty-year career in accounting and management in France, Victorine decided to return to school and follow her interest in the field of education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences and a Master’s degree in International Cooperation in Education and Training from the University of the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris. Victorine has enjoyed working in French, international, and private schools throughout the DC area.

Email

raya@onenessfamily.org

Biography

After graduating with a degree in Art from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts, Raya moved to Paris, France, where she lived and earned a degree in Art and French Literature from the Université de La Sorbonne. 

Raya taught Art and French, first in the United Kingdom for ten years and then in the United States. She is passionate about her students and uses an innovative teaching approach to keep them engaged.

When she is not teaching, Raya is a professional artist and is the author and illustrator of the children’s book, “Joey the Leopard/ Have You Seen My Spots?” Her hobbies include painting, cooking, swimming, and Martial Arts. She is a fifth-degree Black Belt Master in Tae Kwon Do and practices regularly. 

Her mission in life: Be happy and make a difference in people’s lives!

Email

debbie@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Debbie’s career journey is like a winding road trip through diverse landscapes. She began as a computer programmer in a bank but shifted gears to become a Montessori teacher and later the Associate Director at the Oneness-Family School (1992-2009). She then took a sharp turn and ventured off-road to travel to Niger with the nonprofit Amman Imman: Water is Life as the Associate Director, where she inspired students to assist indigenous populations affected by climate change, desertification, and water scarcity.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Debbie has also acquired fluency in sign language through her journey. She learned sign language from her deaf housemate and quickly became her interpreter at local events. As a teacher at Oneness, she taught sign language to students and engaged them in fun performances at festivals and in-house events. Now, over a decade after “graduating” Oneness, she’s back on the road, teaching American Sign Language (ASL) at the high school level.

Debbie holds a Montessori teaching certification from 1992 and a B.A. in Education from Goddard College (2007). In her free time, Debbie writes poetry, enjoys hiking, and loves exploring the wilderness with dogs and kids of all ages.

Email

brian@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Brian was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and loved that he could explore from the oceans to the mountains. He worked as a veterinarian assistant, helped manage a Bed & Breakfast, guided whitewater rafting trips, and worked on a team building and remodeling houses. Eventually he headed off to the University of Washington, where he received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting.

He moved to Bethesda in 2003 with his wife and son, the latter of whom joined the Moon Room class at Oneness-Family School. Brian saw his son grow exponentially in the warm Oneness environment, and has stayed involved with the school intermittently over the years.

He has worked with the high school students as an art instructor since its inception. With the youngest students, he focuses on exploring materials and colors; as the students age and become more confident in their abilities, he starts focusing them on a more structured academic approach to art and color theory.

In his free time, weather permitting, you can usually find him leading rafting trips or swiftwater rescue training on the Potomac River, just below Great Falls. 

Email

guido@onenessfamily.org

Biography

John Guido Vitullo is a musician and music teacher living in Northern Virginia, originally from Youngstown, Ohio. After graduating with a music performance degree from Youngstown State University, he moved to DC where he teaches private percussion lessons, rock band classes, and general music classes.

Guido performs on a drumset with two local groups: Twisted Flags, a classic and modern rock cover band, as well as The i-Talians, an Italian pop band. He also has worked and performed in musical theater pit orchestras in venues like the Keegan Theater, Little Theatre in Alexandria, and Arena Stage. Guido believes that music education is about more than cultivating good musicians. It’s about connecting students to a history of music making and allowing them to find their own artistic voice. 

In his free time, he enjoys video and tabletop gaming, cooking, and gardening. 

Email

chanee@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Dr. Chaneé Willis spent many years as a Marriage and Family therapist, later receiving her Doctorate degree in Christian Counseling and a graduate certificate in Forensic Psychology before deciding to shift her focus to the educational world.

Chaneé approaches her work with others through a holistic/authentic healing lens, implementing cultural responsiveness and self-empowerment. She has been working with individuals and families since 2010 and has experience in graduate-level teaching, clinical consultation and supervision, school-based and in-home therapeutic services, and athletic and life coaching.

Chaneé is trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, and has presented both statewide and nationally as a cultural facilitator, keynote speaker, and creator of sacred spaces.

She recently moved to DMV with her husband and beautiful brown goldendoodle, Lannister! Listening to smooth jazz and eating good food are definitely her happy places​, and she always has a snack stashed away somewhere to share.

Email

estefani@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Born and raised in Peru until the age of 9, Estefani has traveled all over the world since but has called Montgomery County her home base for over two decades. An avid traveler and lifelong learner, she’s had the privilege to teach and guide students from all different cultural backgrounds and learning needs. She has over a decade of experience working with teachers, students, and their families to implement social-emotional development, mindfulness, and academic curiosity. 

She lives in Montgomery County with her three dogs and husband. When not on campus, she can be found snowboarding, skateboarding or painting.

Email

jen@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Jen Cort is the Oneness-Family High School School Counseling Support Specialist. When not at Oneness, she consults for schools around the US and in other countries on connecting diversity goals with practices. Jen is also the host of Third Space With Jen Cort, an internationally syndicated podcast focused on equity in schools.

Email

alex.fisher@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Alex Fisher is excited to return to Oneness full-time as a floating teacher, having previously served as an Earth Keepers counselor. He attended Oneness until third grade before pursuing a degree in Psychology at Oberlin College, where he graduated in 2024. Alex has gained valuable experience working with various childcare and educational organizations, including City Year DC, Hand-in-Hand Parenting, and Minds Matter.

His ultimate goal is to become a child psychologist, and he will also be collaborating with Estefani, Director of Student Affairs.

Email

ahlam@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Born and raised in Lebanon, Ahlam graduated from the American University of Beirut with a BA in English Literature and a Teaching Diploma with a focus on elementary education. Ahlam started her career as an elementary school teacher at the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon, where the concept of an “Open, Child-Centered classroom” was just being implemented. The civil war (1975 to 1990) forced Ahlam to leave her beloved country and move to Washington DC, where she raised her four children and embarked on a career in education when her youngest daughter graduated from high school. 

Before joining Oneness-Family School, Ahlam worked as a Project Coordinator for the Academy for Educational Development (Washington, DC) focused on improving girls’ education in several African countries, then joined FHI 360 (Family Health International) as a Project Director for a portfolio of corporate and private foundation-funded projects focused on improving adolescent girls and boys access, retention and completion of primary and secondary education in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Guinea, and Ethiopia. Ahlam’s expertise included the implementation of a holistic, multi-pronged approach that responds to the socio-economic, cultural, and educational barriers to education through social-behavioral change campaigns based on targeted dialogues that address gender norms and harmful cultural practices; teacher training; mentoring and building the communities’ capabilities to support their children’s education. Ahlam traveled extensively to each country office and worked closely with the local staff, visited project schools, and held meetings with teachers, mentors, parents, and community leaders, as inclusion of all stakeholders is critical to project success. 

Ahlam played a supportive role in the design and implementation of a series of youth symposia on Gender, Youth, and Employability in the Mena region (Jordan, Qatar, Morocco), focusing on identifying challenges that hinder youth from gaining employment by bringing together stakeholders and partners from the public-private sectors, local NGOs and youth to propose solutions. 

Ahlam also supported the FHI360 Gender Summit series that promoted gender equity, quality education, and social inclusion and addressed gender-based violence as well as enhancing adolescent girls’ and boys’ comprehensive education and transitioning to the workforce.

Ahlam’s hobbies include hiking, reading, watching documentaries, travel and cooking!

Email

julissa@onenessfamily.org

Biography

Julissa Arevalo joins her sister, Marlyn, as the Little Stars aftercare program’s new assistant teacher. She has been surrounded by children her entire life, from spending time with her younger relatives to helping in family and community settings. She loves the joy, curiosity, and kindness that children bring to every interaction, and being around them inspires her to approach life with the same openness to explore and discover new things.

Julissa was drawn to Oneness-Family School after seeing the positive transformation in her sister’s life since joining the community, and she hopes this new role will spark similar personal growth for herself.

In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her dog or spending time with friends.

Email

michael@onenessfamily.org