Franklin
Montessori
School
Our Faculty & Staff
Administrative Team
Mary Akatu-Speakman
Director
Ms. Mary is dedicated to creating thriving school communities that prioritize program quality, engaging parent experiences and parent education, integrated curriculum and enrichment programs and teacher development. Mary earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She holds a MACTE diploma in Early Childhood from the American Montessori Society and master’s degree in Montessori Education and Policy from St. Catherine's University.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Mary with her husband Mark, are joyfully raising three young Montessorians: Charlotte, who is currently in her fourth year of Montessori Elementary at the age of nine; Austin, who is in his third year of Montessori Elementary at the age of eight; and Carson, who is five years old and attending Kindergarten in Montessori Primary.
Alison Murray
Office Manager
Rebecca Colleran
Administrative Assistant
Alison joins Franklin after a 20 year career in corporate catering. She is a DC native with a BFA in Theatre Arts from SUNY Purchase. She loves food, cooking, and gardening on her balcony.
Rebecca is from the Seattle area and has been in Washington DC since 2021. She holds both a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources & Organizational Management and an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood. Rebecca has worked as an infant teacher for 4 years. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys being active and outdoors, with a love for hiking, yoga, and Pilates.
Lead Montessori Teachers
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Stephen Stitzel
Co-Lead Teacher Room 1
Stephen has been in the field of Montessori education for 14 years and this is his 8th year at Franklin. He is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Stephen enjoys cooking, playing basketball, and watching golf in his free time.
Shannon Myles
Co-Lead Teacher Room 1
Ms. Shannon joined Franklin in 2010. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she received her Early Childhood and Elementary Montessori credentials from Toronto Montessori Institute and her B.A. in Psychology from University of Western Ontario. Shannon is an avid runner and enjoys going to the beach with her family.
Kendall Hankins
Lead Teacher Room 2
Ms. Kendall is a Northern Virginia native who enjoys reading, traveling, collecting vinyl, and hiking. She has a B.A. in Strategic Communication and Business from West Virginia University. Ms. Kendall has been with Franklin over 9 years and earned her Montessori credential from Montgomery Montessori Institute.
Infant & Toddler Lead Teachers
Lizzy Maresca
Lead Teacher Infant 1
Ms. Lizzy joined Franklin in June of 2018 as an Infant Caregiver. She first started working as an assistant in a Montessori elementary classroom 15 years ago. Since then she has assisted in a primary and infant classroom. She has also served as a lead teacher in a traditional 3-year-old classroom and as a lead teacher of an infant classroom at a daycare. In her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, playing with her dogs, and spending time with local family members.
Bri Ambrose
Lead Teacher Infant 2
Ms. Bri has been a lead infant teacher for 5 years and is very excited to continue her Montessori journey. She has recently done her training with Montgomery Montessori Institute and has worked with children for eight years with the last five being in a RIE based school. She is working on her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Administration at Purdue University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading books, and exploring hiking trails.
Paige Evans
Lead Teacher Infant 3
Ms. Paige grew up in the woods of Great Falls, Virginia, and is now happily nestled around Rock Creek Park in DC. She attended James Madison University, earning a bachelor's in English literature in 2016. She have been caring for infants and toddlers for the past 9 years and received her Montessori certification from the Barrie Institute in 2023. She is passionate that independence and freedom begin at the earliest stages of our lives. Both in and out of the classroom, she enjoy nature and music.
Setsuko Dalrymple
Lead Teacher T-2
Ms. Setsuko was born and raised in Japan and came to the US to attend college. She has been a Montessori guide since 2005, a consultant to Montessori interns, and just started as an instructor at a Montessori teacher training center. This is her first year teaching at Franklin. Ms. Setsuko has two grown-up children who attended the school where she worked. After she took the training, Ms. Setsuko realized she wished she had known more about the Montessori approach when her children were little. Outside of Franklin, Ms. Setsuko enjoys cooking, crafting, baking, listening to music, and appreciating art.
Anastasia Smith
Lead Teacher T-3
Ms. Anastasia pursued a Montessori education from Montgomery Montessori Institute because of her passion for helping guide individuals to a happy and healthy lifestyle. She has grown up in the DMV area and has been lucky to have the opportunity to explore all it has to offer. Anastasia worked with a non-profit organization in the District for homelessness that she stays active with in her free time. In between teaching, she worked along side a pediatric dentist doing both pediatric and orthodontic dental care. She enjoys going to food and music festivals around the DMV area.
Enrichment Specialists
Diana Oboler
Franklin Art Founder
Diana Oboler founded Franklin's Art Program in 2003. She recieved her B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from New College and her Early Childhood Montessori credential from Montgomery Montessori Institute. She has over 15 years experience in the classroom. Diana presents each art unit to the children, dressed as that artist and is the genius behind the art night movie.