Board of Directors
Working together for the community we serve.
Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy (SBMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by a volunteer Board of Directors who care deeply about our school community. Our Board is made up of current and former parents, along with teachers and staff, who generously share their time, experience, and skills to help SBMA thrive. They work in partnership with school leadership to preserve our mission, uphold the Montessori philosophy, and ensure that every decision supports the well-being of our students, families, and staff.
Johnathan (JB) Gerald
President | Current SBMA parent
JB joined the Board in 2024 and brings a unique blend of athletic leadership and educational expertise to his role. With a coaching tenure spanning 11 years (Penn State University, University of Illinois, University of New Mexico, and Syracuse University), he shifted his career focus to education, where he has made significant impacts over the last decade in local public charters and private schools.
JB is passionate about fostering environments where children can thrive both academically and personally. His oldest child finished the N.E.S.T and Spanish Primary program at SBMA, and his youngest enrolled in 2026. He values SBMA’s mission and is committed to ensuring the school continues to serve families with excellence and care.
Alex Bradshaw
Vice President | Alumna | Current SBMA Parent
As both an SBMA alumna and a current parent, Alex is deeply committed to sharing her background and skills to advance the school's mission and its legacy of excellence in bilingual Montessori education. She brings over a decade of specialized experience in data privacy and cybersecurity law, currently serving as in-house counsel at Google where she provides strategic legal guidance on complex regulatory investigations, litigation, data breach response, and the safe deployment of artificial intelligence services to children and schools. Alex is adept at navigating state and federal regulatory requirements and compliance programs and will use these skills to support SBMA's strategic planning, risk management, and policy development.
Beyond her legal expertise, Alex is passionate about honoring the "seeds planted" by SBMA’s founder, Mrs. Anna Neri, through her participation on the board. She is especially excited to broaden and engage the SBMA alumni network to ensure that the safe, loving, and multilingual environment she experienced as a child continues to thrive for future generations.
David Shaw
Director | Current SBMA Parent
David joined the Board in 2025 and brings both his expertise as an IT consultant and his perspective as a business owner to his role. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, he values the importance of strong systems, teamwork, and long-term planning.
His son completed the Mandarin Primary program at SBMA, and his daughter will join the N.E.S.T. in 2026, giving him a deep appreciation for the dedication of SBMA’s teachers and staff. David is committed to supporting the school’s leadership team and ensuring that educators have the resources they need to continue providing exceptional care and learning opportunities for every child we serve.
Jon Umanzor
Director | Current SBMA Parent
Jon joined our Board of Directors in 2026. He has over a decade of construction industry experience, with a professional background spanning project management, operations, and strategic development. He currently serves as Vice President of Operations at a local general contracting firm, where he oversees daily operations, leads project delivery teams, and ensures quality, safety, and efficiency across all phases of construction. His expertise in budgeting, planning, and risk management strategy will provide the board with valuable insight as the school continues to grow and enhance its campus.
His daughter completed the N.E.S.T. program and joined the Spanish Primary class in 2026. With a proven track record of managing complex projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, Jon will offer a practical, solutions-focused perspective that supports informed decision-making and responsible stewardship of school resources.
Nate Luna
Director | Former SBMA Parent
Nate is a photojournalist and television producer with 22 years of experience at local and national news organizations. His work has taken him to 40 countries and has been recognized by the Peabody Awards, the Emmys, the White House News Photographers Association, and other professional organizations. His son attended SBMA’s Spanish Primary program through kindergarten, and his daughter will begin attending SBMA in 2028. A Montessori student himself, Nate believes deeply in the value of early childhood education and, as part of a mixed-heritage family, in exposing children to multiple languages and cultures.
Nate joined the SBMA Board in 2026 to give back to the school that empowered his son and helped his family build deep, lasting friendships within the community. He is committed to supporting SBMA’s families and staff, strengthening enrollment and communications, and helping the school grow while preserving the warm, supportive culture that has meant so much to his family.
Nubia Sosa
Director | Staff Liaison
Nubia serves as the Lead Teacher in the N.E.S.T. classroom and as SBMA’s Director of Education. Since joining the school in 2008, she has brought over 25 years of teaching experience and a steadfast commitment to excellence in early childhood education. Guided by a philosophy that learning should be tailored to each child, Nubia believes that the tools for growth are cultivated both inside and outside the classroom. She is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships with parents to ensure each child’s educational journey at SBMA is enriching, personalized, and successful.
Bela Ali
Director | Montessori Resource Specialist
Ms. Bela has been an integral part of SBMA since 1989, contributing nearly four decades of dedicated service to our teaching and leadership team. In 2017, she transitioned from her full-time classroom role to a part-time position, where she continues to provide individualized support to students, enhancing their learning experiences. Deeply committed to the joy and fulfillment of teaching, Ms. Bela takes special delight in working with the children of her former students and warmly welcomes SBMA alumni when they return to visit.
CAS & Associates
Board CPA | Rockville
CAS has been a trusted partner to SBMA for more than 15 years, providing comprehensive financial management services that help ensure the school’s long-term stability and success. Their support includes payroll administration, accounting, budgeting, and financial planning that help to safeguarding the school’s resources and supporting its mission to serve our community.