Fazreen Shariff - Director

Hello, my name is Fazreen Shariff. I am an AMI-trained educator with over twenty years of experience working with children between the age of eighteen months through nine years of age. My family and I migrated from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka to the golden state in the year 2000. I have a degree in arts and Montessori credentials from Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Center, Colombo, Sri Lanka. My mom, a Montessori teacher, was the greatest inspiration in my path to becoming a Montessorian. I had the first-hand experience in the joy she derived from working with children.

My Montessori journey in the United States began at Park Montessori of Little Flowers in Lakewood, California. I was fortunate to work with an extraordinary Montessorian who an exceptional role model and provided me with guidance, motivation, and emotional support Through the years, I have had the privilege of working with toddlers through elementary-age children as a teacher and an administrator's capacity. I have experienced the incredible milestones they reached through fostering a love of learning and guiding them to discover their intrinsic motivation. My greatest aspiration in working with children is to light the spark of self-motivation that will inspire them to be lifelong learners and acquire new skills to successfully navigate a dynamic and changing world.

I am excited to continue my journey as the Director of LiMai Montessori Academy and create an environment that is nurturing, diverse, and encourages children to discover their purpose in life. My goal is to ensure that every child experiences joyful learning, grows self-confidence, understands who they are as individuals, becoming part of a community that builds the foundations of harmony and, ultimately, a citizen of the world.

Amy Park - Administrative Assistant

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 - Montessori 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

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.

Sandra Garcia - Montessori Teacher

Hello!

 My name is Sandra Garcia and I’m proud to call LiMai Montessori Academy my new home. I have been teaching for six years. I took my Child Development classes in Rio Hondo College. I ‘am now taking my AMS Montessori Credential at Capital Education Institute. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, even when I was young. I always enjoyed helping others learn and grow. I’ve been married for twelve years and have two beautiful daughters. I love to travel and explore new places with my family. My goal as a teacher is to build trust with the children and guide them. Dr.Maria Montessori believed that “It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may be always ready to supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience.” 

Leah Woo - Montessori Kindergarten Teacher

Hello!

My name is Ms. Leah and I am the Kindergarten teacher here at LiMai Montessori Academy. I am an American Montessori Society (AMS) Certified Teacher for ages 3-6 years old and have been teaching for five years. My Montessori training was completed at the University of California - Irvine. I also hold a Bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Missouri. Before I became a teacher, I had a career in both the private and public sectors evaluating environmental impacts and land use issues. Once I became a mother and saw the positive impact a Montessori education had on my own child, I decided that teaching was my calling. 

Experiencing the pure joy of a child learning is the most rewarding part of teaching the Montessori method.

I look forward to guiding your child through the exciting Kindergarten year and providing an environment that makes them excited about school and learning. 

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.

Gina Auzrin - Montessori Teacher

Hello!

My name is Mrs. Gina.I am thrilled to become a member of the LiMai Montessori Academy staff and teach the next generation of young minds. I believe in the Montessori Method. Each child embodies a unique and wonderful spirit. My goal is to see children grow into independent, responsible compassionate innovators with the love of learning.

I received my degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in the Philippines, took my AMS certification at Montessori Western Training Program, and took Early Childhood Education at El Camino College. With over 15 years of being a Montessori Teacher, I see “whole brain learning” as the children flourish into joyous, autonomous learners with a structured, sequential, and challenging curriculum.

I enjoy working with children because of the wonder in their eyes and the love in their hearts. My greatest sign of success is “The children are now working as if I did not exist” – Maria Montessori. I am looking forward to this challenging job that grooms me to a continuous life-long learning that breeds excellence.  

Tanya Paz - Lead Toddler Teacher

Hello!

My name is Tanya Paz and I am new to Limai Montessori. I am a mother of 3 amazing little girls who keep me on my toes but, also teach me everyday life values. I always knew that I wanted to help, whether it meant teaching or making sure everyone around me was ok. I took my Child Development classes at Santa Ana College and become more familiar with working with kids and teaching. The more I learned the more I fell in love with it. I was so amazed on learning what children are capable of doing at such a small age. My goal is to continue to grow as a professional to give the children at Limai Montessori the best possible learning experiences that will help them develop and get ready for their next milestone.

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. 

Gladis Bolio - Lead 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. 

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.