Academy of Thought and Industry at Chantilly

Nancy Kaplan has been and educator for over 30 years, working with children between the ages of 16 months to 18 years. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Columbia University in New York, with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Barnard College and a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Teachers College.  Starting first as a middle and high school English and drama teacher, Nancy went on to hold independent school administrative roles in New York, Virginia and Washington, D.C., including  Middle School principal and then Assistant Head of School before she became Head of School at Leport Montessori in Chantilly in 2016, which then became Guidepost Montessori at Chantilly in 2019. Having sent one of her sons to a Montessori school for some of his most formative years, Nancy deeply appreciates the student-directed approach Montessori offers, as well as the deep respect for each child every teacher provides. With over two decades working specifically with middle school students, Nancy is looking forward to returning to her work with adolescents as the Northern Virginia area’s Academy of Thought and Industry move to her campus at Chantilly. In her free time, Ms. Kaplan enjoys practicing yoga, attending live music and theater performances, hiking, cooking, reading and travel.

After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, Emma Godwin found herself engrossed in educational studies and research. She joined the Teach for America Delaware Team and enrolled in the Relay Graduate School of Education's Masters of Teaching program. Emma completed her two-year program and gained many skills. Through TFA DE and Relay GSE, she gained real-world experiences as well as certifications. After her two-year commitment, she began teaching at First State Montessori Academy, Delaware's first public Montessori school. While there, she earned her Montessori certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and honed her skills in following a philosophy of student independence and individualism. Throughout her professional career, she has engaged in curriculum building, leadership roles, management positions, mental health awareness campaigns, and practical life curricula. Emma has transplanted to DC with her three dogs (Penny, Ruby & Atka), a plethora of plants, and her husband, Taylor. They both enjoy hiking, reading, a strong cup of coffee on a snowy morning, and engaging in advocacy work. Through her own professional career, she has found it is easy to build scaffolded individualized supports for students within a given curriculum. She hopes to bring a sense of community, individualism, and positivity to Guidepost Montessori here in Virginia.

Ms. Amanda attended a Montessori school through Children's House and Lower Elementary herself and, before joining the Guidepost Community, her career in education had always been inspired by what she had remembered from her own childhood Montessori classroom. The Montessori method has truly amazed her, and she remains fascinated by the ingenuity of the Montessori materials. Ms. Amanda graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Mary Washington. While attending college, she accepted her first role as a Lead Teacher at a traditional preschool which is when her ongoing journey of discovering what fosters children's independence and nurtures their desire to learn began. She took her foundations of Montessori course in the Summer of 2020 and is now working toward completion of her Montessori Elementary training through the Prepared Montessorian Institute.