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.

 

Sandra Bayliss defines herself as a woman, Christian, wife, mother and Montessorian. She was first introduced to the Montessori method when she enrolled her daughter in a traditional Montessori school.  Watching the children work in that class made her realize that this was what she was called to do.  She was hired as an assistant and privileged to work under a gracious directress who modeled Maria Montessori. Sandra credits her to have been her inspiration and mentor. She completed Assistant Training at the Butler School in Germantown, MD. She then began to actively pursue her education as a Montessori directress for Primary.

Sandra graduated from Montessori Centre International with an International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, Early Childhood Course, with Distinction in Theory.

Sandra started her career in teaching over 20 years ago and says it never gets old.  She says her greatest achievement is watching children engage in a true love of learning, and working with students brings her joy and humility.

Sandra’s faith has played a vital role in her life.  She is excited about teaching at JPGMA to be able to combine her love of God and love of teaching.  She has worked with the children in her church to memorize Scripture and also helped with Vacation Bible School.  She has volunteered with the First Steps to Literacy Program in the community.

Sandra has had three articles published in Tomorrow’s Child, a Montessori publication. She established and maintained a Montessori classroom within a local daycare for 10 years.

Sandra’s interests include learning sign language, attending Christian music concerts, spending time with friends and family, and a love of animals. She has 2 children who attended Montessori Primary, and even though they are grown, they still have fond memories of those early years. Sandra resides in Stephens City with her husband, Carl, 1 dog and 4 cats.