Mary Catherine Flynn
Founder/Montessori Director
Mary is an Irish American who was drawn to the compassion, ease and beauty of Islam while living and teaching in Jerusalem. After attending a week long conference, "Beyond Schooling" featuring speakers Hamza Yusuf and John Tayor Gatto, she was convinced that the current educational system was working against the true nature of the child and became determined to reform the education of our youth by actively teaching peace and conflict resolution, helping children realize their role as stewards of the environment and most importantly their connection with the Creator and all creation. In September 2011, Mary established Medina Montessori to fulfill that vision.
Mary received her training in Montessori curriculum and pedagogy at the Barrie Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies. Mary has held teaching positions at The George Washington University, The College of Science in Jerusalem, Arlington County Public Schools, Henson Valley Montessori School and the Islamic Saudi Academy in VA where she also served in the capacity of Assistant Principal, Chair of the Elementary ESL Department and Chair of Philosophy and Goals Committee for school accreditation. She was awarded a teaching Fellowship by The George Washington University where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Iberian Spanish Literature. She has also published in the Journal of Religion and Teaching on issues relating to the acquisition of English for Muslim students. Mary offers yearly workshops on the topic of Montessori and Islam, which she has presented at the annual convention for the Islamic Schools League of America.
Mary received her training in Montessori curriculum and pedagogy at the Barrie Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies. Mary has held teaching positions at The George Washington University, The College of Science in Jerusalem, Arlington County Public Schools, Henson Valley Montessori School and the Islamic Saudi Academy in VA where she also served in the capacity of Assistant Principal, Chair of the Elementary ESL Department and Chair of Philosophy and Goals Committee for school accreditation. She was awarded a teaching Fellowship by The George Washington University where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Iberian Spanish Literature. She has also published in the Journal of Religion and Teaching on issues relating to the acquisition of English for Muslim students. Mary offers yearly workshops on the topic of Montessori and Islam, which she has presented at the annual convention for the Islamic Schools League of America.
Heba ElSherbeeny
Co-Founder
Heba was born in Egypt, and spent her childhood between Egypt, Britain, and Syria. She graduated at The School of Architecture/Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University, Egypt. She has a master’s degree in Archaeology from The Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She has a degree in Music from The Institute of Arabic Music, Egypt. Heba has also received a master’s degree in Education from St. Catherine University in Minnesota.
Heba has two sons, Omar and Ali. It is through them that she came to know and love Montessori education, and realize her passion for teaching. Heba has been working in Montessori classrooms since 2001. She is certified, and has taught, at the Primary (ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (ages 6-9), and Upper Elementary (ages 9-12) levels. She received her Montessori training at The Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at St. Catherine University, Minnesota. Heba co-founded Medina Montessori after many years of planning and creating a Montessori Arabic language curriculum. Heba is currently a doctoral student in International Education and Educational Psychology at George Mason University in Virginia.
Heba has two sons, Omar and Ali. It is through them that she came to know and love Montessori education, and realize her passion for teaching. Heba has been working in Montessori classrooms since 2001. She is certified, and has taught, at the Primary (ages 3-6), Lower Elementary (ages 6-9), and Upper Elementary (ages 9-12) levels. She received her Montessori training at The Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at St. Catherine University, Minnesota. Heba co-founded Medina Montessori after many years of planning and creating a Montessori Arabic language curriculum. Heba is currently a doctoral student in International Education and Educational Psychology at George Mason University in Virginia.