Meet the Staff

The teachers must have the greatest respect for the young personality, realizing that in the soul of the child great values are hidden, and that in the minds of these boys and girls there lies all our hope of future progress and the judgment of ourselves and our times.

– Dr. Maria Montessori

Use the navigation on the left if you’d like to sort by location and class.

Jump to a staff member who’s last name starts with the letter:

A B C E F G H J K M N P Q R S T X Z
Photo of Lupe Alonso
Office Manager

Biographical Info

Updated 10 months ago.
Photo of Maier Araiz Castillo
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Primary Guide

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? July 2018

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have an Early Childhood Education Certificate from Easo Politeknikoa (Spain), BA in Social Education from University of Basque Country (Spain) and a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Additional Information: My twin daughters are attending Elementary program in OWM. In my free time I like to spend time with my family traveling, hiking and relaxing at the beach.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Karen Bamberg
Site Head Directress, Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMI

When did you join One World? 1985

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have an Early Childhood Education Certificate from West Valley College and a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Additional Information: I have 2 grown children who attended One World from infancy through adolescence. I volunteer for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life, as well as for Canine Cancer: Morris Animal Foundation. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exercising, cooking, reading, and spending time with family and my dogs.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Mirna Barrios
Primary Substitute Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? 2009

Educational Background: I have 21 ECE units and have completed my Montessori Primary training through the Maria Montessori Teacher Training Center (MMTTC).

Additional Information: I have 3 children. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, spending time with my family and friends, and shopping. One day, I hope to volunteer for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as my passion is helping people and working with children.

Updated 10 months ago.
Photo of Kalpana Bonda
Primary Substitute Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? November 2003

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have a BS in Education.

Additional Information: I have 2 grown children. In my free time, I enjoy  gardening, oil painting and doing arts and crafts.

Updated 5 months ago.
Photo of Lourdes Cid Monteiro
Primary Assistant, Montessori Intern

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? September 2021

Educational Background: I have a bachelor’s degree in Social Education and  Pedagogy from Spain. I have a master’s degree in a master’s degree in Human Resources. I have also taken courses in Non-violent Communication and Positive Discipline. I will complete my Primary Montessori certification by December 2022 and will continue to take classes and trainings on parenting, positive communication, and how the brain works in children.

Additional Information: I have 2 children who are currently attending One World, a 7-year-old girl in the Elementary program and a a 5-year-old boy in the  Primary program.  I love reading and cooking with my children. I also like going outside to nature and meeting with friends.

Updated 4 months ago.
Photo of Lisa Claindoux
Bookkeeper

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? August 2018

Educational Background: I have over 20 years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping in a variety of industries.

Additional Information: I have 3 children, one of whom attends One World.  I come from a family of 11 siblings, so I am always surrounded by family!

Updated 12 months ago.
Elementary Assistant Daycare, Pearl

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? September 2018.

Educational Background: Medical Assistant – UNITEK College

Additional Information: I have three children: Frankie, 17; Elizabeth, 15; and Anabel, 13. They do not attend One World.

Updated 12 months ago.
Outdoor Environment and Daycare Teacher

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? February 2022

Educational Background: I have an AS degree in Early Childhood Education from Canada College and a BA in Linguistics Applied to Language Teaching from San Simon University in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I have over 7 years of experience working with children from different age ranges.

Additional Information:  In my spare time, I like going for a walk or hike in nature, play board games with friends or simply staying at home gardening.

Updated 10 months ago.
Photo of Sanchita Ghosh
Daycare Teacher

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? I started at One World in 1992 and left in 1995 to take care of my children full-time. I rejoined in 2004.

Educational Background: I have an MA in Philosophy from Calcutta University in India. I also have ECE units through De Anza and Mission Colleges.

Additional Information: I have 2 grown children. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Danielle Hamilton
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? 2015

Educational Background: I have completed my Primary Montessori Certification from MMTTC in 2018 and I am currently working on my degree in Early Childhood Education.

Additional Information: I attended One World Montessori as a child and it warms my heart to be a part of OWM again. I love to play the piano and share my knowledge of animals with the children.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Pamela Jiang
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? February 2008

Educational Background: I have my Primary Montessori certification.

Additional Information: I have a son who attended One World in the past.  I enjoy singing and making music with different types of instruments with children.  In my free time, I like to practice my instruments, travel, and do Chinese brush art.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Rebecca Keith
Founder, President of the Board, Head of School Emeritus

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? I founded the school in 1979

Educational Background: I have a BA in Human and Community Services, and an MA and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s College. I have Montessori Certificates for both Primary and Elementary and have been a Teacher Trainer since 1979. My publications include: The Montessori Peace Curriculum, One World Montessori United Nation’s Day Celebration, One World Montessori Earth Day Celebration, as well as several articles.

In 2015, I was awarded first place for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the “Wisdom of the Elders” award by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

Additional Information: I have two grown children who both attended One World in the past; one of my grandchildren also attended school here. My hobbies include music, sewing, swimming, reading, and enjoying nature.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Haruna Kii
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMS

When did you join One World? June 2022

Educational Background: I have my Montessori certification and 2 degrees in Early Childhood Education from Japan and from Mission College in Santa Clara, CA.

Additional Information:  I like traveling and physical activities such as hiking, playing tennis and volleyball. I also enjoy trying new things such as cooking new recipes and playing the ukulele.

Updated 10 months ago.
Photo of Pascale Marion
Office Manager

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? August 1988

Educational Background: I have a degree in Psychomotricity from France and a teacher degree for Ikebana.

Additional Information:  I have two grown children, both of whom attended One World (my son attended through 6th grade and my daughter graduated from the Junior High program).  I have been doing Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) for over 10 years.  Being a world citizen (French nationality who was born in West Africa), I have found my perfect niche at One World.

Updated 12 months ago.
Elementary Head-of-School Emeritus

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMS, St. Nicholas

When did you join One World? 1981

Educational Background: In addition to my Lower and Upper Elementary and Primary Montessori teaching certificates, I have a BA from San Jose State University. I also have additional training in Montessori History Studies and Montessori Elementary Course Study for Zoology and Botany.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Julie Musick
Elementary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? August 2010

Additional Information: I have 1 adolescent child.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Indu Nair
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? 2008

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have a BA in History and a Site Supervisor CHAD permit from the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Additional Information:  I have two children who attended One World in the past. I always look forward to spending time with my family. I volunteer in a local organization that help and support families in need in India.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Mari Perez-Vizcaino
Site Head Directress, Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? I have been affiliated with the school as a parent since 1996 and began teaching at One World in 1999.

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have an MA in Philosophy and Educational Sciences from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid.

Additional Information: I have 2 children who both attended One World in the past. I have an interest in helping children with special needs and continue my learning and education in that area. In my free time, I enjoy charcoal drawing.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of SJ Phillips
Office Manager

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? I have been affiliated with the school as a parent since 2010 and joined as a Guide in 2014.  In June 2021, I became the office manager.

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori training, I have a B.S. in Environmental Planning and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. I also studied Horticulture and Landscape Design at Foothill College.

Additional Information: I have 2 children who attended One World in the past. I love being outside and particularly enjoy hiking, swimming and gardening. I love to travel and enjoy going to “off the beaten track” destinations. I am also interested in different art forms – visual, dance and performance. On a rainy day, you might find me baking with my children, watching movies or reading.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of May Qian
Montessori Intern

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? August 2021

Educational Background: I attended the Maria Montessori Teacher Training Center and completed my Montessori Teacher certification. I also have a degree in Electronic Engineering and Business Administration from China.

Additional Information: I have a 6-year-old daughter Nikki who is in the Elementary 1 classroom at the Pearl campus. For 10+ years, I have worked in the advertising industry in Shanghai. Now, I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities with my family.

Updated 4 months ago.
Primary Substitute Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: St. Nicholas Montessori

When did you join One World? 1987

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I hold 23 ECE units from West Valley College.

Additional Information:  I am the Godmother to 4 children, who all attended One World and graduated from our Junior High program.  In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, gardening and sewing.  My special passion is tutoring math to children who are struggling in that subject.

Updated 10 months ago.
Photo of David Snow
Daycare Assistant

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? August 1991

Educational Background: I have a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Additional Information:  In my spare time, I enjoy drawing, playing video games, bike riding and collecting music CDs.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Jill Soong
Site Head Directress, Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMI

When did you join One World? 1987

Educational Background: I have a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Language.

Additional Information: I have one grown daughter who attended One World in the past.  One World has been my second home for over 30 years now. I love spending time with children. Seeing them grow and mature is priceless and my greatest joy.  In my leisure time, I enjoy gardening, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new things.

Updated 5 months ago.
Photo of Hema Srinivasan
Primary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMS (Infant), PAMS (Primary)

When did you join One World? 1992

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certifications in Assistance to Infancy (birth – 3 years) and Primary, I have a BS from Madras University in India.

Additional Information: I have 2 grown children, both of whom attended One World. I have been taking Ikebana classes (Japanese flower arrangement) for the past 10 years and in my free time I like to do gardening, reading, and pursuing my interest in science in general.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Pallavi Tekriwal
Elementary Assistant Head of School, Elementary Guide

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: AMS

When did you join One World? August 2007

Educational Background: In addition to my Montessori certification, I have a BS in Human Development.

Additional Information: I have 2 children who currently attend One World. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, photography, cooking, and yoga.

Updated 12 months ago.
Photo of Jade Tran
Elementary Assistant

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? October 2020

Educational Background: I have a BS in Psychology and a minor in Counseling and Social Change from San Diego State University. I am working toward earning my Lower Elementary Montessori Certification. 

Additional Information: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family as well as cooking and baking.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Sisi Xing
Montessori Intern

Biographical Info

Montessori Affiliation: PAMS

When did you join One World? 2021

Educational Background: I have a Bachelor’s degree in English from Beijing Jiao Tong University and have completed my Primary Montessori Teacher certification through the Maria Montessori Teacher Training Center.

Additional Information: I have 2 daughters who attended One World, one in Primary 1 at the Leigh campus and another in Elementary 1 at the Pearl campus.  I like reading, baking with my daughters and spending time with the family.

Updated 9 months ago.
Photo of Vittia Zarate
Primary Assistant, Daycare Teacher

Biographical Info

When did you join One World? September 2019

Educational Background: I have an AA degree in Child Development from De Anza College. I am also currently taking the MMTTC training for Primary Montessori Certification.

Additional Information:  I love nurturing a child’s natural curiosity of learning and enjoy reading books to children.

Updated 12 months ago.