CHRISTINE QUINTERO - Director

Hello! I am a lifelong, generational Montessorian. I trained at the AMI Montessori Institute of Los Angeles under the leadership of Estela Colmenero Palmieri. One of my treasured memories of my time at MILA was when Mario Montessori came to be with us for part of our training. My daughter and my niece are also AMI Montessori Directresses. My granddaughter and many of the children of our extended family, here in the US as well as in Europe and Mexico, are also being raised according to the principles of Dr. Montessori.

I have worked as a Montessori directress and as a director of Montessori schools since graduating from MILA. I have deeply valued the opportunity to have been a small part of the journey of so many little children over the years. I have been fortunate to have established valuable friendships with other teachers, and I treasure what I have learned and continue to learn from the children, parents, and coworkers. It has been a pleasure to see how many associates went on to earn a Montessori credential and carry the torch into future generations.

JOEY SIU - Office Manager

Hello! My name is Joey Siu. I am originally from Hong Kong and moved to the United States when I was fifteen years old. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from California State University of Los Angeles. I enjoy working with children because they are delightful and inspiring; I am grateful to have a position where I can support their growth and nurture their love of learning. I have worked as a trilingual - Cantonese, Mandarin, and English preschool teacher and office assistant in a private school for five years. I have two years of experience teaching robotics and coding to kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade.

I am married and have a 2-year-old daughter, Leah. I love to travel. I love to explore other cultures and their diverse foods with my family and friends. I discovered along the way. I love to cook and collect recipes! I’m very happy to have joined LiMai Montessori Academy as an Administrative Assistant. I believe, as Early Educators, that we help build a strong foundation that positively supports the child’s educational and human journey throughout their life. In the future, I aspire to expand my teaching career and obtain AMI certification. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you and your child. 

TISHANI GABRIEL REYHART - Head Teacher

Hello! My name is Tishani Gabriel Reyhart. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have received my AMI Montessori primary credential, having taken the course over a two-year period, at St. Bridget’s Montessori Center in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After receiving my AMI primary certificate, I was offered the opportunity to participate in the training of teachers at the center. Since that time, I have taught in AMI schools in Sri Lanka, at the International School, at schools in Virginia and here in California. I have found that my international travels and experiences, in the field of Montessori, have reinforced my understanding of the universality of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy.

My own two sons, now in elementary and middle schools, were fortunate to have established a solid foundation in Montessori. They are older now, but the basis for a love of learning was laid down in their early years and is of benefit to them even now. I have a niece, and many friends who have gone on to become AMI Montessori directresses. I am grateful to be able to work in a field I love. 

Dr. Montessori worked with children and adults, and found her work to be especially healing for those who had experienced the trauma of wars and conflict. I find that our work is similarly relevant to the children and the families who have suffered the effects of a pandemic. I am happy to be able to perform work I find meaningful and significant to our times.

BUDDHIKA ANURI KARANDANA - Head Teacher

Hello! I am Buddhika Anuri Karandana, but I go by Miss Anu. I was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At age two and a half, I began attending St. Bridget’s Convent Montessori School. As I matured and continued my studies, I began to imagine a career in law. I attended college with that goal in mind, but a little voice inside me called me to work with children. As I continued my studies, that voice was persistent and grew louder. Eventually, I earned my degree in Early Childhood Education Lincoln University College Malaysia and then went on to earn my International AMI Primary Degree in Montessori – at Good Shephard Maria Montessori Training Center, Colombo, in 2003. (I’m now celebrating my 20^th year as a Montessori educator!) as a toddler, preschool, kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grade Montessori Directress.

After earning my international credential, I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer in helping to reestablish a Montessori school that had been started many years ago, in Sri Lanka, under the guidance of Dr. Maria Montessori. I also worked, as a volunteer, in a very distressed mountain region of Sri Lanka, as a Montessori teacher.  I have been able to observe Montessori schools in Australia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. 

I love to travel and have family in Sri Lanka as well as in Australia. My husband and I have a precious little daughter, Umaya, who travels with me each day to LiMai Montessori Academy in Diamond Bar. I’m passionate about instilling a love of learning in children, and I believe a Montessori classroom provides the ideal environment for the children to learn and grow, and I hope to guide the children to become lifelong learners.

I’m honored, and I offer my whole-hearted support to the LiMai Montessori family as they aim to provide the finest authentic Montessori education for children.  I’m very happy to have been able to join such a loving, supportive Montessori community. The school itself is beautiful. My classroom and patio are ideal for a Montessori Primary class. The principal, Miss Spring, the staff, the parents, and the children are wonderful and have made me feel at home. 

NAVEEN YOUNAN - Head Teacher

Hello! My name is Naveen Younan. I was born in Egypt, and I moved to the United States ten years ago. I am married, and I have three amazing kids, two girls, and one boy. I was a high school art teacher for twenty years in Egypt. I have been working in Montessori schools for five years. I love art, and I love leather crafting.

I handmade many colorful leather bags, purses, and jackets for myself and my two daughters. I am a good cook, especially when it comes to Egyptian food!

SALLY PEREZ - Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Mrs. Sally. I not only received my Early Childhood Education Certificate at a collegiate level but also expanded the knowledge I acquired on a deeper level. I took the initiative and opened my own fully licensed family childcare that gave children in my community a safe environment to learn and grow as individuals. My love for children was the baseline for the start of my career. Having children of my own motivated me to start my journey of teaching. I always dreamed of positively impacting children’s lives, so that’s what I set out to do. Having my childcare gave me the ability to set up the curriculum in a manner that will be the most beneficial for the young children in my care.

I incorporated similar Montessori essentials and techniques, so the children can learn about independence starting at a young age. After successfully continuing my childcare for ten years, I decided to shift over to working at a licensed Montessori School. I found my way here at LiMai Montessori Academy and became the Assistant Teacher in the Bumblebee Class. I am extremely dedicated to my work and put the children’s needs above my own. I never fail to put in that extra hand to guide the children to become the best they can be. I not only put my handwork on the children but also goes above and beyond to make the work environment suitable and clean for the children as well. Beyond my potential to juggle the classroom and my duties, I still believe in the importance of

bilingualism, and find the time to teach the children the beautiful language of Spanish to give the children the opportunity to broaden their language capabilities.

PEACE PIAO - Assistant Teacher

Hello, my name is Miss Peace.

Originally from Korea, I moved to Yan Ji, China, where I raised a family before relocating to California in 2010. Since then, I've dedicated myself to Montessori education, obtaining my primary Montessori credential and serving as a passionate Montessori directress.

Beyond my career, I'm a dynamic individual with diverse interests, including Zumba, Yoga, contemporary dance, singing, gardening, and creating video presentations for my YouTube channels.

I bring contagious energy and joy to everything I do, especially when working with children. Thank you for this opportunity to work with your precious children.

YING WANG - Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Ying Wang. I was born in China. After finishing my study of Early Childhood Development at Pasadena City College in 2021, I majored in Education Science at the University of California, Irvine, to continue my previous education in the corresponding field.

During my period of studying at PCC, I participated in a course internship at the school, in which the children I came into contact with in the child development center were basically under the age of five. I also participated in volunteer activities as a Teacher Assistant at the Field Elementary School in Pasadena. Before entering the university, I worked as a Chinese teacher in a kindergarten for two months at a summer camp.

After entering the university, because of the curriculum requirements, I spent three months as an intern with the fifth graders in a primary school. These experiences have established my professional knowledge, interest, and enthusiasm for early childhood education. 

Children's curiosity turned me into an encyclopedia! Sometimes their questions make me wonder, and even I don't know the answer. I feel that I am growing up with them and learning together. This is an idea worth thinking about and remembering. I believe I am on a road to the future; it is also a road full of challenges, requiring patience. The smiling faces of the children are my guiding lights.