Tabitha Moraldo - Director

Hello, my name is Mrs. Tabitha Moraldo. I found my joy and passion at a very young age when I began my journey as a Montessori assistant in my little brother’s classroom when I was 18 years old. After 6 productive years of teaching and excellent training, I received my Montessori certification from the University of California, Irvine in 2008. My husband and I began our real Journey with Montessori as I juggled Teaching and Motherhood, bringing my then 6-month-old son Isaiah to his first Montessori infant room.

In 2011, our second son, Alijah, was born, and I then, with 2 children in the same Montessori school, was promoted to Pre School Director and entered into training with the State of California to subsidize funding for families in need whose children were thriving in both our Elementary and Preschool areas. As most of you may know, I now have 3 children. Amayah, our beautiful daughter, recently completed 2nd Grade, Alijah finished 4th Grade, and Isaiah, who is now 14, graduated from Montessori school two years ago and is entering 8th Grade in the public arena. I have since gone on to join Montessori Western Teacher Training Program as their Lead Sensorial Trainer. In 2022, I’m hoping to welcome 2 more graduating classes to my resume. I have loved my 20 years in the classroom as a teacher and am pleased to know that for the past 5 years, my classroom of 24 children has been by 100% request only. I am so excited to be in a place where I can help teachers learn and grow in the same way our exceptional children do.

It is my honor and pleasure to be a part of the LiMai Family. I cannot wait to meet each and every one of you. Most importantly, I am so excited to be a part of your Montessori journey. It takes a village to raise our beautiful children and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours.

Amy Park - Assistant Director

Hello Limai Families!

My name is Amy Park. I have a Bachelor of Art degree in Child Development from Cal State University of Sacramento. I have been married to my husband for seventeen years and we have two lovely sons. I love to start the day with drinking coffee. When I am not working, I enjoy organizing and going shopping.  Family is really important to me and I love spending time with them.   

I have over 10 years of experience in management and over 6 years of experience in child education as preschool teacher and as assistant director. I will be working as the office manager at Limai Montessori Academy. I love being surrounded by kids and it energizes me when I receive hugs from my little friends. I believe that the best way to teach children is for teachers and school staff to work together with families as a team, so please feel free to reach out to me. It is my hope to work together as families to create an environment that will best suit your child’s need.  

Ayla De Guzman - Head Teacher

Hello!

Teaching has always been my passion. I have been a preschool teacher for 10 years. I have a degree in Special Education from a university in the Philippines. I have taught in Singapore and Indonesia for 4 years before coming to the United States. In 2015, I got my American Montessori Society Certificate from Montessori Western Teacher Training Center in Garden Grove, USA. Working with children has helped change my life and my views about the world. Teaching can be challenging and very rewarding at the same time.  “within the child lies the fate of future”. Dr. Maria Montessori

Jinsook An - Head Teacher

Hello!

My name is Jinsook An, and I am excited to join the family of LiMai Montessori Academy. I have over 20 years of teaching experience as a preschool teacher in the Irvine area and as a bilingual Korean teacher at the Korean Language Institute. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Child Development at California State University, Fullerton and I am certified in Montessori education.  I have two lovely daughters- my husband and I miss them very much. My first daughter is studying Political Science at Stanford University, and my second daughter is a biology major at Yale University. I am very proud of and love my job as a teacher. I believe that early childhood is the most wonderful and important stage in establishing a solid foundation for life. I am really happy and excited about my role in supporting and fostering my students’ growth.

Gladis Bolio - Head Pre-Primary Teacher

Hi!

My name is Gladis M Bolio. I am happy to call LiMai Montessory my home. Teaching is one of my biggest passions.

I have been teaching young children for 28 years.

I have obtained my Bachelor’s degree in but  fell in love with teaching when I started working with children. I received my child development credentials from Laguna Techical college. 

Teaching is my favorite career, my goal is guiding each child towards success. Success can be achieved when children feel they are loved, cared for, treated with patience and kindness.

I enjoy travelling, meet new people and places. 

KRISTINE IFANTIS - Teacher

My name is Kristine Ifantis. I have been the TK Teacher at LiMai Montessori Academy for over two years. It has been a blessing for me to be able to work in such a friendly and nurturing environment. I attended California State University, Fullerton earning a degree in Child Development.

Over the years, I have completed graduate course work and specialized education. I was an elementary school teacher for five years, I taught kindergarten and first grade at a local school district. I am married, have two daughters and 4 dogs. I have learned so much from my daughters that it helped me to transfer that knowledge and experience to my students.

I strongly believe that nothing has educated me more than coming to work every day and interacting with children. I feel like children teach us more than any classroom can. I love working with this age group because they are so absorbent yet charming and innocent. They are still so new to everything and it is so easy to make them happy. They make me laugh and smile every day. With the outstanding group of children, my job doesn't feel like work and I feel lucky to be a Teacher every day.

Hyeyoung Min - Teacher

Hello!

My name is Hyeyoung Min. I am so excited to meet everyone at Li Mai Montessori Academy. 

 I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea and received my degree in Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Anyang University in Korea, in addition to being certified in Nasung Montessori Institute in Los Angeles, CA.

I have 5 years of preschool experience in Korea and have worked with children of age 2 or 3 years old ever since I moved to California in 2008.  I love working with children.  It brings me much joy working with children and seeing them grow as a person.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach your children so they can grow and prepare for Kindergarten.

My goal here is to assist them to learn the basic life skills, get various learning experience with many different activities, play safe interacting with other friends, and build social skills.

Christine Berreras - Teacher

Hello!

I began my teaching career in 1993 at a Montessori School in Walnut, CA. My first assignment as an infant Teacher's Assistant was my introduction to the Montessori program. After seven years, I became a Toddler's Teacher's Assistant and was amazed at how well the toddlers learned. I moved on to become a Pre-school Teacher's Assistant for four years. During that time I took a Preschool/Kindergarten Montessori Teacher's Program and received my diploma in 2005. I went on to become a Pre-K and Kindergarten Teacher. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly these children learn at such a young age. I not only teach them, they also teach me. 

J.R. - Physical Fitness Coach

Hi!

My name is Ysidro Mendivil, however, all my friends and family call me “JR”. I have practiced and taught martial arts for over 35 years. I maintain a Master Instructor rank and train often with GM Michael Conniry at the Pacific Martial Arts Foundation in San Diego. As principle for Strength Balance Fitness Guru and Silver Ninjas, I provide contract instruction as the Head Martial Arts Instructor for the Signal Hill My Gym and the Fitness and Martial Arts programs at LiMai Montessori. I also provide private and group lessons to all ages. I offer dynamic Elder fall prevention skill workshops and seminars. My passion is to learn and teach. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Management for Pepperdine University. In my endeavor to raise my Spiritual understanding, I hold a RSCP license, with Center for Spiritual Living philosophies.