STAFF

Rohini David - Site Director & Administrator

I felt quite out of place when I first arrived in Los Angeles 6 years ago despite having lived and worked in places as diverse as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe. 

With a degree in Business from the Kong Kong Polytechnic University, majoring in Human Relations, and a wealth of corporate experience, I found myself in the entirely different field of early childhood education. Different people, different pace, different needs and wants. Luckily, UCLA came to my rescue allowing me to earn 22 units in early childhood education from which I have gained much.

I continue to attend their classes and workshops to stay abreast of changes and new ideas. However,  by far the best education, the best knowledge and insight, has come from the day to day lessons I have learnt from our wonderful young children and their families. No two days are ever alike at the center and each day is a new experience and a challenge. Challenges I increasingly enjoy.

Ms. Shiromi Aturaliye - Director & Lead Teacher Rm 1

I have been a Director of the Flintridge Montessori School since its inception in 2000. I obtained my Montessori Diploma in Sri Lanka and followed it up with a Diploma in Pre-School Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka. In addition, I have obtained 25 units of Early Childhood Education from Pasadena City College.
 
Having worked as a Kindergarten teacher, a Pre- School teacher and more recently a Montessori teacher, I have a wealth of experience in the different methods of teaching young children. I take pride in providing a loving and nurturing environment; turning everyday events into fun learning experiences. I have enjoyed implementing a successful reading program during the last few years. Feedback from past students currently attending Public Schools indicate that they have benefited from my program and are reading well above their grade level.

Ms. Lisette

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Ms. Hyzel, Lead Teacher Rm 2

Miss Hyzel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy in 1994.  Five years later, in spite of a promising career in International banking, Miss Hyzel pursued her heart’s desire to work with young children,and thus, found her calling as a Montessori educator in 2001.  She has earned both Montessori and early childhood graduate units and is working on completing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood.  She attended her Montessori Training for the 3 to 6 age group in Illinois. 
 
Miss Hyzel has the ability to bring to life the environment in which the children work and create a life long love for learning.  Her passion for teaching shows in her kind and calm manners complementing the Montessori method.

Ms. Bernadette DeSilva, Co-Teacher Rm 2

"My name is Bernie and I teach in Room 2.  I obtained a Bachelors degree in science in 1979 and worked as a statistician for 16 years in Sri Lanka.  I also received a diploma in Pianoforte Music from Trinity College of Music London."

"My love for kids prompted me to persue a carrier in Early Childhood Education and towards this goal I obtained 25 units in Early Childhood Education from Pasadena City College.  Teaching little children soon became my vocation more than a profession as time passed, and now I have 9 years experience in teaching young kids to my credit.  My interaction with young children has now become so intimate and close that I am now totally committed to my vocation."

"My interest in music, math, science, nature, arts & crafts, cooking and sewing helps me tremendously in promoting and developing the talents of the children under my care."

Ms. Joyce, Co-Teacher Rm 2

"My name is Joyce, one of the teachers in Classroom 2, and I have recently rediscovered my love for teaching."Even though I got my AMI (Association Montessori International) diploma in San Francisco twelve years ago and taught for several years in Taiwan, I feel my real love for teaching began only six years ago. When teaching became personal. The Montessori methods and materials came alive for me while using them on my own two boys, William and Johnny. While I was teaching them, without even realizing it at the time, I was learning from them. I learned a broader definition of teaching. I began to realize I wasn't just hoping to improve their academic achievements but also their morals, their values. I try to apply this same "love" for teaching with our children at the school." "Aside from my interests in early childhood education, I am interested in swimming, jogging, hiking, Chinese cuisine, history, karaoke, movies and animals. Besides my mother tongue, Mandarin, I understand some Shanghai dialect, Taiwanese and Cantonese. This year I was awarded the Dean’s Honors in GCC (ECE), completed the pediatric CPR (valid till 2007) and I’ll be taking further ECE classes in spring 2006 because we never stop learning in this career."

Ms. Jetzy, Lead Teacher Rm 3

My name is Jetzy Rosiles, and I teach and play with children aged 2 -3 years. I have been with he Flintridge Montessori School for the last eight years and also, teach Spanish to children aged 3 and above.

My first degree in Physical Education is from the University of Guadalajara (Mexico). I have completed a course in Early Childhood Education & Development from Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar and U.C.L.A. Extension,Westwood.

I take great pride in being a Teacher at the Flintridge Montessori School. This has been my second home all these eight years. My two children; daughter Itzia and son Christian completed their preschool education at this facility and went on to further their education for a few more years at our sister elementary school. I always enjoy my interaction with the children in their education and various stages of development and am blessed to have this opportunity to guide and direct them in their very first school experience. My goal every day is to teach with love and creativity; a warm hug and a big smile is reward enough. I look forward to seeing new children year after year. The challenges at this age are enormous and I am happy to take them in my stride.

Ms. Hilda , Co-Teacher Rm 3

Ms. Lilly

 

Ms. Yasmin Badha, Kindergarten Lead Teacher

My name is Yasmin. I am a qualified Montessori teacher with over 30 years experience teaching children. In addition to a Bachelor's in Education and an M.S. in Chemistry, I have diplomas from the American Montessori Society (AMS) as well as the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). I have also earned 30 Early Childhood Education units summa cum laude.

I am a dedicated, vibrant and happy person. The children in my classroom children are
exposed to individualized reading, phonics, math, science, history, geography, computers, art and music.

The guiding philosophy is to cater to each child's individual needs, to recognize each one's potential, and to create an environment that fosters each child's physical, socio-emotional, and intellectual development. I spend a considerable amount of time creating materials, projects and lessons that will challenge children's cognitive and Intellectual abilities, and nurture their needs for exploration and Creativity.

My aim is that each child should not only be a facile reader before they graduate from my class, but that they are eager to continue on the journey of learning, reading and discovery I set them upon throughout their lives.
Kyna, Kindergarten Teacher