Saint Charles
Early Childhood Education Center
"Sharing in the Wonder of God's Creation"
Meet the Specials Teachers
CGS
Music
MRS.BOWE
Music Teacher
Rachel Ackerman Bowe is a soprano and music educator with over fifteen years of experience in private and classroom teaching. Based in Alexandria, VA, she teaches private voice and piano lessons and early childhood music group classes in person. Mrs. Bowe is so excited to return for a third year of music making with the students at St. Charles!
Singing has been a part of Mrs. Bowe’s life for as long as she can remember. As a soprano, she has sung at the Polish Embassy, the Kennedy Center, Charlottesville Opera, and numerous churches and choral ensembles throughout the DC area. She was the recipient of the American Council of Polish Culture’s Sembrich award and a finalist in the Annapolis Opera Competition. Her students have frequently placed first in NATS competitions and have gone on to major in music and performance.
Mrs. Bowe believes that everyone has an inherent ability to create and express themselves through music. Whether it is singing children’s folk songs or arias, she is committed to broadening her students’ lives through music.
MRS. SIMKOVSKY
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Margaret Simkovsky – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Raised in Colorado, Margaret received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. Margaret is certified as a CGS catechist and has taught at three levels (ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12) and is a certified Montessori teaching assistant. She became a volunteer catechist at St. Charles when her daughter was three, 22 years ago. After her own children completed the program, she worked as a catechist at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Vienna, later returning to St. Charles Preschool. Margaret is committed to the CGS philosophy which recognizes that “there is (already) a deep bond between God and the child which produces in the child the desire to draw nearer to God.” The Atrium provides a special space and hands-on learning in the Montessori tradition to help children fall in love with God for a lifetime.
CGS
P.E.
COACH MICHAEL
P.E.
Coach Michael Garabito is going into his 4th Year as a PE Teacher and is going into his 6th year as an Arlington Diocese employee. He also works for the Player Sports Academy (PSA) as a Multi-Sport Coach. His unique, age-specific curriculum is designed to promote student health, foster socialization skills, build self-confidence, and provide multiple fun activities by creating a conducive learning environment that encourages expression and a love for physical activities. Coach Michael strives to provide positive and high-quality multi-sports opportunities for students of all skill levels.
Chapel
Lead Teachers
Chapel Class
Each preschool class has the opportunity to visit the school chapel once a week with their classroom teacher during the school year. In this consecrated space the children become comfortable with some of the facets of going to church and attending Mass. The children can easily see the altar and candles, the tabernacle and statues, and they learn to sit quietly and respectfully. Teachers usually read child-friendly Bible stories or other books about the wonder of God’s creation. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, Mrs. Baney meets with each class for prayer and lessons about how we prepare ourselves for Christmas and Easter, respectively.