Our Leadership & Staff Home / About Us / Our Leadership & Staff Meet Our Dedicated Team A Message from the Principal Marissa Schmidt, Principal Welcome to Chesterbrook Academy! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our school. Choosing a preschool is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child, and we know you’re looking for a place where they will feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day. Nestled in the heart of the historic Kentlands neighborhood in Gaithersburg, our school is more than a preschool—it’s a close-knit community where children, families, and teachers build lasting relationships. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll find a warm, welcoming environment where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. A Community Formed by Relationships One of the things that makes our school so special is our strong sense of community. Because we’re located within walking distance of many neighborhood homes, our school has a truly family-oriented feel. Our teachers take the time to know each child as an individual while building meaningful relationships with families. We believe these connections create the trust and sense of belonging that help children thrive. Family involvement is an important part of our school culture. Whether it’s joining us as a Friday Guest Reader, attending our annual Pre-K Prom or end-of-year picnic, or celebrating special events throughout the year, we love creating opportunities for families to be part of their child’s preschool experience. An Elevated, Literacy-Based Curriculum Our mission is to provide a safe, healthy, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child can grow into a confident, lifelong learner. We believe children learn best through a balance of purposeful play and meaningful learning experiences that support their academic, social-emotional, physical, and creative development. Our literacy-based curriculum brings learning to life through a featured book each week, with engaging activities that help children make meaningful connections while building foundational skills. Inside our classrooms, teachers encourage curiosity through hands-on exploration, open-ended questions, and collaborative learning experiences that inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Beyond the classroom, children have opportunities to discover new interests through enrichment programs like Soccer Shots, Amazing Athletes, and Joy of Dance. Spanish is also woven into the school day, helping children build early language skills through fun, everyday experiences. Caring Teachers Who Inspire Growth Our teachers are caring, compassionate professionals who are dedicated to helping every child succeed. They create nurturing classrooms where children feel safe to explore, ask questions, and develop confidence in themselves. Through ongoing professional development and collaboration, our team continually strengthens their knowledge and stays current with best practices in early childhood education. Uncompromising Safety and Peace of Mind Providing a safe environment is one of our highest priorities. Every teacher completes comprehensive background checks and training before entering the classroom, and we maintain rigorous health and safety practices every day. Our secure building features individual family entry codes, classroom and common-area security cameras, regular face-to-name checks, and routine emergency drills. These measures allow families to feel confident knowing their children are learning and growing in a safe, well-supervised environment. Experience Our Community The best way to discover what makes Chesterbrook Academy special is to visit us in person. We invite you to tour our classrooms, meet our dedicated teachers, and experience the warm, family-like atmosphere that defines our school. We look forward to getting to know your family, learning about your child’s unique interests, and helping you determine whether Chesterbrook Academy is the right fit for your preschool journey. Read More Learn More About Chesterbrook Academy Gaithersburg Teachers Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at your preschool? At Chesterbrook Academy Preschool in Gaithersburg, we are deliberate about building a team that is in it for the long term. Our faculty bring multiple years of dedicated service to our school, and the culture of care and consistency they have built is felt in every corner of our program. What do families appreciate most about teachers at Chesterbrook Academy Gaithersburg? What families describe most often is the feeling that this school is family. Our teachers do not simply care for children. They are deeply invested in them, bringing the attentiveness and warmth that each child deserves and every parent hopes for. That spirit of genuine, personal commitment to each child is what defines our preschool experience, and it is what families carry with them long after their children have moved on. What qualifications do your preschool teachers have? Our faculty have completed a rigorous foundation of professional preparation, including 90 hours of coursework in early childhood education, a 9-hour communication course, basic health and safety training, mandated reporter training, and ADA training. What makes the teachers at Chesterbrook Academy Gaithersburg exceptional? Our teachers lead with attentiveness. They take the time to truly know each child, their personality, their preferences, their pace. In a world that often moves too quickly, our teachers slow down for the child. That quality of individual attention is not something that can be mandated or measured. It is the natural expression of educators who genuinely love what they do. Come See Our School in Action! Contact us today to schedule a private tour and experience our Links to Learning curriculum firsthand. Learn More