Administration & Staff

Who We Are

All staff hired at JPGMA go through a rigorous vetting process.  We strive to hire the best teachers in each area to work with the children at the Academy. Teaching is a vocation.  The ability to work with multi age groups is both a great gift and responsibility. Each staff member is required to have a background check and is approved by the Head of School, Advisory Board, and Board of Directors.

 

Mrs. Colleen Hencken has loved working with children ever since she was a teen working as a Summer Sports Counselor in High School.   Colleen graduated from Christendom College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

After one year of teaching 4th Grade at Holy Family Academy, she entered the monastery of the Poor Clare Colettines in Alexandria, VA. There she lived the contemplative life for 6 years until discerning that this life was no longer her vocation. Those years were formative and helped prepare her for the next part of her journey.

Colleen taught 4th Grade at Our Lady of Hope Catholic School for 2 years until she was introduced to the Montessori Method and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  She received her AMI certification in Elementary and her Masters in Montessori Education in 2010 from Loyola University in Maryland.  During that time, she taught at Siena Academy for 3 years as the Lead Elementary Guide and organized various parent education nights, play productions, and several extracurricular activities.

Colleen has taught as a Montessori Elementary Guide for over 10 years and has assisted in several school administrative duties.  Colleen has received her training as a Level I and Level II Catechist.  She is currently taking her Level III training.

Colleen felt called to start a 5-day-per-week Catholic Montessori Academy in the Front Royal community with her husband Rob and with the support of so many great families.  Colleen enjoys traveling, sports, all things Irish, hosting events, and living on the farm in Stephens City with her husband Rob and her three children, Gabriel, Clare, and Roisin.