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

Ms. Tami Owner and Director
Ms.Tami is the Owner and Director. She has been working with children her entire life.
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Ms. Shawn Director
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 Assistant
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 Assistant
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.
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Preschool Blue Room

Ms. Jennifer Lead Teacher, Preschool/Primary Program Director
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. Jenelle Teacher
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.

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Preschool Magenta Room

Ms. Vikki Lead Teacher
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
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.
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Ms. Jacqueline Teacher
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Preschool Purple Room

Ms. Arpana Lead Teacher
Arpana 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
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.
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Preschool Teal Room

Ms. Sarah Lead Teacher
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 Teacher
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.
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Toddler Green Room

Ms. Emily Lead Teacher
Hi my name is Emily Glaser, I am from Adrian Michigan but currently live in Ann Arbor MI.
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Ms. Kathleen Teacher
Hello! 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.

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Toddler Lavender Room

Ms. Amy Lead Teacher
Hi! 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!

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Toddler Orange Room

Ms. Andrea Lead Teacher, Infant & Toddler Program Director
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 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
Hello my name is Halley (Hay-lee) Semanske. My name comes from Halley’s Comet.
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Toddler Pink Room

Ms. Cari Lead Teacher
Hello 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
Hi, my name is Kendra Thomas and I am an assistant teacher in the pink room.
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Toddler Red Room

Ms. Ghinwa Lead Teacher
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. Gabi Teacher
I graduated High School in 2018 at Onsted and now live in Tecumseh.

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Infant Coral Room

Ms. Nicole Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Ms. Nicole. I'm the lead teacher of the Coral room.
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Ms. Bree Teacher
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Ms. Jo Teacher
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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Support Staff

Ms. Cassie Float Teacher
Hi! 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.
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Ms. Emily Float Teacher
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