Category Archives: Early Childhood Education

10.11.24
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Martellies Warren Is Back in the Classroom at TNCS!

Martellies Warren is nothing short of a legend at The New Century School. His history with TNCS is nearly as long as the school itself (scroll to the end for earlier blog posts about this rich history). As one of the longest-serving staff members, Mr. Warren has been an integral part of TNCS’s growth and evolution over the years. He joined TNCS in its early days, in the second year of the school’s operation at its current location. He vividly remembers the excitement of those early years and fondly recalls his fellow staff members like Mrs. Lawson and Ms. Lazarony.

Well-Rounded Approach to Education

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Warren has witnessed and adapted to numerous changes within the school. He’s very proud of the overall development of TNCS’s educational approach. His ability to embrace change while maintaining his core values as an educator has been crucial to his longevity at the school.

Over the years, Mr. Warren’s role at TNCS has evolved. He has worn many hats, from (the world’s best) music director to administrator, and now as the lead teacher for the K-2 cohort. This varied experience has given him a unique perspective on the school’s operations and needs.

Long-Standing Commitment to The New Century School

Mr. Warren’s commitment to TNCS is evident in his approach to the school’s ongoing development. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and finding beauty in the present moment. “As someone who’s been here and has seen this school go through so many changes, I had to let go of what it used to be,” he reflects. “If you continue to try to measure today’s metrics with what it was, which is a whole different time with a whole different set of variables, then you’re going to always long for something that used to be.”

Despite the challenges that come with growth and change, Mr. Warren remains optimistic about TNCS’s future. He takes pride in the progress he sees, particularly in the Montessori preschool classrooms and what TNCS Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane is doing there. “It takes time,” he says, “but we are really getting there. It’s a great place.”

As TNCS celebrates its 15th year, Mr. Warren’s deep connection to the school community continues to shape his teaching philosophy and his interactions with students, parents, and fellow educators. His long-standing commitment to TNCS, combined with his diverse educational background and musical talents, make him a unique and valuable asset to the school community, and he brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to his role.

Early Career and Discovery of Montessori

His journey in education began in traditional classrooms in Baltimore City, but a pivotal moment occurred when he discovered Montessori education. The sight of students engaged in this alternative learning environment at Julia Brown School in Columbia, MD, took his breath away.

Throughout his career, Mr. Warren has embraced various educational approaches, including online middle school teaching in Baltimore County. “I think this diverse background makes me a more well-rounded educator. I can take some of those aspects of that pedagogy and I can apply it now to a more traditional classroom setting,”” he said.

Finding Joy in the Classroom

In his current role, Mr. Warren teaches English Language Arts, Global Studies, and Math. He also continues to share his passion for music, teaching it to most grade levels. His day is a bustling mix of core subjects and music instruction, which he manages when his homeroom students are at Chinese and Spanish lessons (taught by colleagues).

Mr. Warren’s love for his current age group shines through. He appreciates how his K-2 students are independent enough to tackle tasks on their own, yet still seek his guidance and support. “All day I’m hearing ‘Mr. Warren!’ which is wonderful because I’m happy to be of service to them,” he shares with a smile. Describing a recent lesson, he enthuses, “Today we’re working on ‘Fundations‘, which is a curriculum that we’re doing this year. We went into a whole lesson on what a foundation is and discussed how we have to build on something that’s stable and how we view their learning the same way.”

Double Life: Educator and Professional Musician

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Warren has another claim to fame—he’s a successful gospel musician. While his students might not be fully aware of this aspect of his life, it’s a significant part of who he is. As part of Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy, he’s performed alongside industry giants like Kurt Franklin and Yolanda Adams, an experience he still finds mind-blowing.

Mr. Warren credits his own teachers for inspiring his dual career path. He fondly remembers Henry Terry from Montgomery, AL, who first recognized his classical voice and introduced him to competitions and advanced musical training. This experience underscores his belief in the profound impact educators can have on their students’ lives.

Embracing Change and Progress

Mr. Warren reflects on his journey with gratitude. He’s thrilled to be back in the classroom, focusing on what he loves most—interacting with children. “Being in the classroom doesn’t feel like a job,” he says. “My heart leaps when I’m in there.”

Looking Ahead: Winter Concert and Beyond

Looking ahead, Mr. Warren is excited about the upcoming winter concert, a cherished school tradition he’s preparing for with his usual enthusiasm. His positive outlook and dedication to his students continue to make him an invaluable (and much beloved!) asset to the TNCS community.

Music Is in the Air at TNCS!
TNCS’s Winter Performance Amazes and Delights!
TNCS Teachers and Admin Share School Memories!
TNCS’s Music Program Crescendoes!
TNCS Debuts New Summer Camp: Musical Theatre!
Music Is in the Air: TNCS Welcomes Back Martellies Warren!
TNCS Winter Concert 2023: Happy Holidays!
Mr. Warren Goes to Washington!
Mr. Warren Hits All the Right Notes as TNCS’s Summer Camp Director!

09.13.24
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Ann Marie Simonetti is TNCS’s Head of School!

Heading into its 15th year, The New Century School made some “strategic” changes. A big one is Ann Marie Simonetti’s new role as Head of School and Director of Strategic Initiatives. Ms. Simonetti is not new to TNCS, however, having served as TNCS Admissions Director since 2021.

With her extensive background in nonprofit education, she brings a strategic approach to her role, emphasizing the importance of planning in various aspects of school management, including enrollment, marketing, family engagement, and financial sustainability.

It’s All About the Strategy!

As part of her Director of Strategic Initiatives, er, strategy, Ms. Simonetti is focused on aligning TNCS’s initiatives with its Core Values and Portrait of a Graduate.

She aims to create a shared understanding of the school’s objectives among leadership, faculty, staff, and the newly formed steering team. This approach ensures that everyone is working toward common goals, both short-term and long-term. “I think everyone must be tired of hearing me say the ‘S’ word—strategic,” she joked. “But, in all seriousness, the purpose of strategic initiatives is to serve our families’ needs as they evolve and ebb and flow.”

Organizational Approach

The school has recently adopted a more collaborative leadership model, moving away from a traditional hierarchical structure to a flatter, more circular organizational approach. This shift aligns with the agile philosophy, which emphasizes transparency, flexibility, and shared responsibility. To implement this approach, Ms. Simonetti uses a Kanban board—a visual management tool that helps track tasks, their progress, and who’s responsible for each item.

The newly formed steering team is another initiative aimed at increasing stakeholder engagement. This team, composed of families, faculty, and staff (with potential for student ambassadors in the future), provides a platform for sharing ideas, discussing successes, and addressing areas for improvement. It serves as a continuous feedback loop between the school community and leadership. Ms. Simonetti describes it as “giving families and faculty and staff, depending on what we might be working on or toward in a given season, a venue to bring ideas to the group, share successes, and what areas might need improvement.”

The 3 Cs” Communication, Community, and Connection

Communication is a crucial aspect of Ms. Simonetti’s strategy. The school has implemented a structured communication system, including daily reports for preschoolers, weekly newsletters for different grade levels, and a monthly “Third Thursday” update. Ms. Simonetti also writes a Head of School newsletter, which she sees as an opportunity to connect with families and share important information and reflections. “I see it as another way to connect with the community and do that in a really purposeful way,” she explained.

Ms. Simonetti emphasizes the importance of community and connection in her leadership approach. This was exemplified in a recent staff development activity in which the team walked the school’s labyrinth as a mindfulness exercise and sang together, setting an intention for the upcoming school year: “The way we come together as a group reflects the way that we’ll be able to bring students together in our school community.”

Customer Centricity

More Cs! Ms. Simonetti has also introduced a customer-centric model to TNCS, drawing inspiration from the Ritz-Carlton’s renowned customer service approach. During a staff development week, she used Ritz-Carlton training materials to help the team understand how to create positive experiences for students, families, and the broader community.

This approach ties into the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes sensory experiences and mindful interactions.

Through these various initiatives, Ms. Simonetti aims to foster a connected, engaged, and purposeful school community at TNCS, where everyone understands their role in contributing to the school’s mission and success. “I start with the mission statement every time,” she said, “even if it’s for a group of people familiar with it because it’s the why. It’s why we are here in the first place.”

Ann Marie Simonetti—here’s to a great year with you helping steer the ship!

05.03.24
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TNCS Spring Festival 2024 Gets Wild!

Nothing matters more at The New Century School than its community of students, teachers, staff, and families. That’s why TNCS Director of Student Support Alexis Watson has done it again: pulled off another wildly successful Spring Festival that brought everyone together for a day of fun! Her inaugural event last year was what everyone thought would be an unparalleled success, that is, until she surpassed even that triumph this year!

On Tuesday, April 30th, TNCS primary students followed by elementary and middle school students once again took to the parking lot for games, activities, fun food, and even some wildlife! They even had perfect weather, with temps feeling more like summer than spring, which added even more to the general holiday feeling.

Many vendors and stalls returned, back by popular demand, such as the bouncy house, a Kona Ice truck, a photo booth, a hot dog and snacks table, and Mary’s Go-Round Petting Zoo, plus all the games and activities students could want. But wait! we said surpassed right? New this year were a dunk tank (thanks, dads, for volunteering to get soaked!) for the big kids and pony rides for the little ones! And, once again, Sistahs’ Sweets food truck put the icing on the cupcake.

Primary Festival

Watch with caution: excessive smiling may cause facial pain in susceptible individuals.

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Elementary and Middle School

As one parent wrote in by email, “Ms. Watson: Once again you’ve created unforgettable memories for our kids.  It was a fantastic event and thank you for everything you do for them.”

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And with that, another crazy good year at TNCS is nearing completion. Llamaste, TNCS community! (Okay, okay, it’s an alpaca.)

11.24.23
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This Holiday, Feast Your Eyes, TNCS Community!

Thanksgiving is an especially important holiday at The New Century School. From special feasts to deepen in-class relationships to food drives that support TNCS’s friends and neighbors, it’s a time to show gratitude in a cornucopia of ways.
That extends to you, TNCS community. This year, TNCS art teacher Devin Martin is giving back with a special art display and her beautiful reflections on what it means.


The passage of time, for young children, is deeply rooted in “special days.” Their birthday, holidays, the day they have dance class—these are concrete events that can be grasped before days of the week and months of the year are mastered. By focusing on traditions and customs linked to special days, I hope to give my students a jumping off point for telling personal narratives in their art.

Additionally, elementary-age children’s concept of self is deeply rooted in the family. Reflecting on tradition and customs within their family, as well as the families of others, will give the students an opportunity to relate as well as highlight their unique experiences. So, I wanted to share this K–3 project I’ve just finished hanging up. We’ve been talking about community, custom, and tradition in art class, and everyone illustrated and wrote about a food that they eat on a special day!

As if that isn’t special enough, Ms. Martin has more gifts in store: “Next up in art class, students are continuing their exploration of personal narrative in the form of a miniature puppet theater in a box, inspired by the Brazilian ‘Caja Lambe Lambe’,” she explained. “The Caja Lambe Lambe as a medium is deeply intriguing to children, who have an affinity for the miniature and for creating scenes for play. These miniature puppet shows use a singular ‘set’ and take only a couple minutes to perform, which provides a helpful limit so that the act of creating visuals for a story does not become overwhelming.”

We eagerly await this adorable-sounding art exhibition!

11.10.23
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TNCS’s Montessori Professional Development Trip: A Transformative Journey

Terriann Lane has been Preschool Coordinator at The New Century School for a only few months so far, but her impact far outdistances her tenure!

One big example of Ms. Lane’s impact happened last month. TNCS preschool teachers embarked on an enriching professional development trip to the scenic Mountain Laurel Montessori (MLM) in Front Royal, Virginia. This venture provided teachers with the opportunity to immerse themselves in an authentic Montessori environment. They observed and engaged with both toddler (preprimary) and primary classrooms, soaking in the Montessori method in action.

Ms. Lane explained: “The visit was orchestrated through the guidance of my mentor, who connected me with a stellar Montessori teacher. She said to me, ‘You are two of my favorite people, and I need to connect you!'” The idea quickly took root, and Mountain Laurel Montessori opened its doors for observation and learning.

The group departed from TNCS on Sunday, October 8 at 2:30 p.m. On Monday, they went to MLM at 7:30 a.m. to meet their hosts and be directed to classrooms to observe before the children arrive at 8:00 a.m. There were nine in total, including Ms. Lane, Ms. Simonetti, Wang Laoshi, Sra. Garcia (x2!), Ms. Sussman, Sra. Pupo, Sra. Loveras, and Sharon Laoshi.

Beyond the professional growth, the trip was a delightful adventure involving, among other things, driving the TNCS van very slowly up a mountain. “We laughed and marveled as we navigated the Shenandoah Valley, arriving at a charming Airbnb nestled in the woods. It was an idyllic setting for continued learning, with additional sessions there on material-making and curriculum development led by myself and Ms. Simonetti,” said Ms. Lane.

Ms. Simonetti said of the experience:

We had a wonderful cabin; it was rustic but beautiful, with details like a claw foot tub. It was a great experience to see a different Montessori school and all the things that we’ve been introducing to them and showing them. Even though we have training and observation videos to see what’s possible, seeing it in practice are two different things. It really helps bridge the gap. And, again being able to connect with Ms. Lane and share our complementary knowledge and make plans for, for example, when a preprimary student might be ready to move up to primary. What are the skill sets? What are the different developmental elements that may indicate that readiness?

For many, the highlight of the trip was the bonding experience—sharing meals, conversations, and a deeper understanding of each other, both personally and professionally. It ignited curiosity among the teachers, who eagerly sought to enhance their knowledge and explore the potential for their classroom environments.

Reflecting on the trip, many teachers experienced a multitude of eye-opening moments. “As a passionate observer, I enjoyed witnessing both new and familiar teaching methods, which sparked ideas for implementation and improvement,” said Ms. Lane.

The journey has already spurred positive change at TNCS. Teachers are embracing the rich offerings of Montessori education with renewed vigor. Classrooms are transforming into spaces that reflect authentic Montessori environments, showcasing the commitment of TNCS educators to more fully embrace this approach. Those inspired by the trip are now pursuing further training, with interests ranging from positive discipline to Montessori philosophy and movement in the classroom.

This trip was a pioneering step for TNCS—an overnight professional development experience that proved to be a resounding success. It’s something we look forward to making a tradition, alongside arranging local development opportunities like those the preschool assistants enjoyed at Greenspring Montessori School.

This experience was a testament to the power of community, professional camaraderie, and the pursuit of educational excellence. It’s clear that TNCS preschool teachers are not just growing as individuals but also collectively elevating TNCS to new heights.