Winwood Children's Center, Reston

I have more than 13 years of classroom experience with ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. I had been working at our Ashburn location for over 7 years before transferring here. After completing my first year of college, I decided that I had a passion for Early Childhood Education. I worked at a preschool as my grandmother’s assistant while attending a local community college to complete my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. After completing my A.S., I transferred to Strayer University, where I obtained my B.A. in Human Resource Management. I am currently attending Liberty University working towards my M.A. in Human Service Counseling.

After working full-time at Winwood in Ashburn as a Co-Lead Pre-K teacher I decided to pursue my second passion in management. In 2009 I became a member of the Leadership Training Program with Winwood. While in the program I assisted both my directors and assistant directors with the daily operation of the center, conducted parent visits, trained new staff, planned summer camps, curriculum and more.

I am happily married and reside in Herndon, VA. I do not have children of my own yet, however I do foresee them in my future. Family is everything to me, and that is one of the many reasons why I have continued to work here at Winwood since 2007. Winwood is like my 2nd family. I look forward to many more years to come.

I was born in Iran and moved to Russia with my husband and daughters in 1994. On November 2005, we moved to the United States. Living in Russia and America gave me a completely new perspective to life. I have learned a lot from living in both places; learned two languages, learned to communicate with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and adapted myself culturally into the various cultures present. I have a degree in economics and I hold a Child Development Associate (CDA). In Russia, I taught Farsi at an International University. I also volunteered at an orphanage. I’ve always loved teaching and working with children. I consider myself very competitive and proficient with an innovative and leadership attitude. I have been working at Winwood Children Center since 2007. I’ve always loved children and teaching them. Teaching and taking care of children has changed my life forever.

I was born and raised in El Salvador and came to this country when I was 13 years old. I graduated high school in 2003 and have been working with children since 2006. I have  a Child Development Associates (CDA). Most of my experience has been with working with preschoolers ages 3-5 years and have been working for Winwood since September 2013. I started working with infants in 2020 and have been loving it ever since.  I love the cuddles, the smiles and seeing all the milestones that they reach their first year. It just makes my heart feel so full! I am a wife and a mother of two wonderful girls.

My name is Maria, and I am from Iran. I have been working with children for over 20 years. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Tehran University, and in my home country, I taught English to children ages 7 to 16. I truly enjoy working with children of all ages, and I feel so proud to have been part of the Winwood family for over 12  years.