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 DirectorRead More
Ms.Tami is the Owner and Director. She has been working with children her entire life.
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Ms. Shawn DirectorSend an Email Read More
Ms. 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 AssistantSend an Email Read More
My 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 AssistantSend an Email Read 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 DirectorSend an Email Read More
Jennifer 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. Erica Assistant TeacherRead More
Erica has experience working with children for 14 years and has two kids in college.
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 Assistant TeacherRead More
Hello! 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 TeacherRead More
Arpana Mathur received her Montessori teaching certificate from Association Montessori Internationale ( AMI) in Hyderabad India.
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Ms. Donna Assistant TeacherRead More
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 Assistant TeacherRead More
I 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 Assistant 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 Lavender Room
Toddler Orange Room
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Ms. Andrea Lead Teacher, Infant & Toddler Program DirectorSend an Email Read More
Hello 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 Assistant TeacherRead More
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. Kelsey Assistant TeacherRead More
Hi! I’m Kelsey Stamper and I’m 18 years old, turning 19 in May. I’m currently going to school for Phlebotomy at Monroe County Community College.
Toddler Pink Room
Toddler Red Room
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Ms. Ghinwa Lead TeacherRead More
My 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. Ella Assistant TeacherRead More
Hi, there! My name is Ella Slupe, I’m from Adrian, Michigan and I am so thrilled to be working at Northstar Montessori!
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Ms. Gaby Assistant TeacherRead More
Ms.Gaby grew up in Onsted, MI and now lives in Tecumseh with her family. She enjoys small towns and how welcoming everyone can be.
Infant Coral Room
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Ms. Jo Lead TeacherRead More
Hello families! My name is Jo and I have been a childcare worker for the last 10+ years. I have a huge passion for fostering growth in children.
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Ms. Kate Assistant TeacherRead More
Hello, My name is Kate! I am very excited to be a part of the Northstar community.
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Ms. Nancy Assistant TeacherRead More
Hello, my name is Nancy Jacobs. I am very excited to be a part of the Northstar Montessori community!
Support Staff
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Ms. Ashley Float TeacherRead More
Hi, I'm Ashley. I'm an assistant teacher. I graduated from eastern Michigan University with a degree in communications and theater.
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Ms. Jacqueline Float TeacherRead More
Ms. Jacqueline cherishes the mutual learning that she has facilitated with students of all ages using her Foreign Languages & Bilingual Studies education for more than 25 years.
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Ms. Naomi Float TeacherRead More
Hello my name is Naomi. I am 18 years old and love working with children.
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Ms. Nicole Float TeacherRead More
Hello, my name is Ms. Nicole. I'm the lead teacher of the Coral room.
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Ms. Tessa Float TeacherRead More
Hello I’m Tessa Stamper, I just started working at Northstar Montessori part time last year and I absolutely love it.
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Mr. Thomas Float TeacherRead More
Thomas is from Adrian, Michigan. Growing up, he frequently babysat for both family and friends, and recently began volunteering at Sunday school alongside his girlfriend and best friend.