Our Teachers
Here at Northstar Montessori, we strive to hire individuals who are not only well educated, but also creative, enthusiastic, and love working with children. Our teachers bring a diverse set of beliefs, personal hobbies, and experiences to our Northstar community. We keep our ratios small and bend over backwards to ensure your child’s success in our programs.
Our classroom teachers hold a variety of qualifications varying from Master’s Degrees in Education and Music, Montessori Teaching Certification, Child Development Associates, Infant/Toddler Training, etc. Our Directress (Head of School) is a trained Montessori Teacher and holds a Child Development Certificate. All our staff members are CPR/First Aid Certified.
Administration
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Ms. Tami Owner and Director
Send an Email Read MoreMs.Tami is the Owner and Director. She has been working with children her entire life.
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Ms. Shawn Director
Read MoreMs. Shawn is the director at Northstar. Ms. She received her Associates of Art in Secondary Education from Washtenaw Community College and studied Math and German at Eastern Michigan.
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Ms. Christina Administrative Assistant
Read MoreMy name is Christina Smith. I mainly work in the office, but when needed I fill in in the classrooms.
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Ms. Lisa Administrative AssistantRead More
Ms. Lisa works primarily in the office, helping wherever needed. She received her Bachelor of Arts and secondary teaching certification from the University of Michigan.
Preschool Blue Room
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Ms. Jennifer Lead Teacher, Preschool/Primary Program Director
Send an Email Read MoreJennifer grew up in Manitou Beach before moving to Traverse city where she lived, married Dave, and raised her two children from 1984-2015.
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Ms. Jenelle TeacherRead More
Hello my name is Jenelle Austin and I’m one of your child’s preschool teachers. I’ve been teaching at Northstar for almost 8 years.
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Ms. Julianne Teacher
Hello my name is Julianne Weber. I’ve taught middle school students for nine years and I am excited to join the Northstar Montessori team.
Preschool Magenta Room
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Ms. Vikki Lead TeacherSend an Email Read More
Miss Vikki has lived in Ann Arbor most of her life. She has worked with preschoolers for 12 years.
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Ms. Dawn Teacher
Read MoreHello! I’m Dawn Weatherholt. I joined the Northstar team in January 2023, and before that I worked at Meadow Montessori in Monroe, MI from 2002-2023.
Preschool Purple Room
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Ms. Arpana Lead Teacher
Read MoreArpana Mathur received her Montessori teaching certificate from Association Montessori Internationale ( AMI) in Hyderabad India.
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Ms. Donna Teacher
Hello, my name is Donna Du. I currently live in Saline with my husband and our three children Evan, London and Madeline.
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Ms. Fariba Teacher
Read MoreI am Ms. Fariba, one of the Teacher Assistants in the Purple Room. As a mother of three, I have a medical assistant and a child development certificate, with an associates in science.
Preschool Teal Room
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Ms. Sarah Lead TeacherSend an Email Read More
Hello, my name is Sarah, I have been teaching in Montessori for 6 years and have finished my training for Montessori two years ago.
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Ms. Pari TeacherRead More
Hello, My name is Pari. I love working with kids, teaching them new things, and playing with them. I believe each child is unique and love to see them grow.
Toddler Green Room
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Ms. Emily Lead Teacher
Read MoreHi my name is Emily Glaser, I am from Adrian Michigan but currently live in Ann Arbor MI.
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Ms. Kathleen Teacher
Read MoreHello! My name is Ms. Kathleen! I've been working with children and adults in a variety of settings since I was 12.
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Ms. Samantha Teacher
Hello! My name is Samantha Smith, and I am a recent graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Letters.
Toddler Lavender Room
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Ms. Amy Lead Teacher
Read MoreHi! My name is Amy Raymond and I am a Lead Teacher in the Lavender Room. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for over 20 years.
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Ms. Brittany Teacher
Hello, my name is Brittany Mulholland! I am a toddler teacher and have been with Northstar over a year now!
Toddler Orange Room
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Ms. Andrea Lead Teacher, Infant & Toddler Program Director
Read MoreHello my name is Andrea Stamper, but I like to be called Drea. I have been working at Northstar Montessori for nine years.
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Ms. Christine Teacher
Hello my name is Christine. I have two daughters Trinity who is 19 years old and Jennavieve who is 17 years old.
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Ms. Halley Teacher
Read MoreHello my name is Halley (Hay-lee) Semanske. My name comes from Halley’s Comet.
Toddler Pink Room
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Ms. Cari Lead Teacher
Read MoreHello my name is Cari Kirby. I have been in childcare for 10 years, four of which have been at Northstar.
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Ms. Em Teacher
Hi, my name is Em Tennie! I am a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy.
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Ms. Kendra Teacher
Read MoreHi, my name is Kendra Thomas and I am an assistant teacher in the pink room.
Toddler Red Room
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Ms. Ghinwa Lead Teacher
Read MoreMy name is Ghinwa Mikdashi and I am the Red Room Lead Teacher. I have been teaching at Northstar Montessori since 2019.
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Ms. Gabi Teacher
I graduated High School in 2018 at Onsted and now live in Tecumseh.
Infant Coral Room
Support Staff
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Ms. Cassie Float Teacher
Read MoreHi! My name is Cassie Siedlik and I've been working at Northstar for 3 years. I'm from Kentucky, where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Bellarmine University.