Susan Fernandez, Head Teacher and Director
Susan Fernandez has been working with children at San Jose Montessori School since 2000. In 2008 Susan earned her AMI Primary Diploma, and she has been a Head Teacher at San Jose Montessori School ever since. In 2015 Susan became the On-Site Director, during that time, she prepared herself for the Director responsibilities by working directly with owner Ilana Dover and taking the required leadership courses. While in the Directorship role, Susan continues to work in the classroom with the children and other staff.
Susan is married with two college age daughters. She had the privilege to experience being a parent at SJMS when her youngest daughter spent three years in the Montessori classroom. The wonderful experience Susan and her family had during this time was what inspired her to train for her AMI Montessori Diploma.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys spending time with her two dogs and family, cooking, traveling, and reading.
Susan is married with two college age daughters. She had the privilege to experience being a parent at SJMS when her youngest daughter spent three years in the Montessori classroom. The wonderful experience Susan and her family had during this time was what inspired her to train for her AMI Montessori Diploma.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys spending time with her two dogs and family, cooking, traveling, and reading.
Paulina Kim, Head Teacher
After being an Assistant Teacher at San Jose Montessori School for 5 years, Paulina Kim is now working as one of the Head Teachers. The youngest of five kids, her love of children was truly realized when her first nephew was born, and her fascination grew as she worked and volunteered with children throughout her college years at UC San Diego.
Paulina first stumbled into the Montessori world through a part-time job at a Montessori school in San Diego. She quickly became captivated by the method and the children. Upon graduating, she promptly enrolled at the Montessori training center in Mountain View. She received her AMI Primary Diploma in June of 2011, and was in the classroom as Susan's assistant teacher that very fall.
Paulina is married, and a mother to a new baby girl. In her free time, Paulina enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, watching films, and traveling.
Paulina first stumbled into the Montessori world through a part-time job at a Montessori school in San Diego. She quickly became captivated by the method and the children. Upon graduating, she promptly enrolled at the Montessori training center in Mountain View. She received her AMI Primary Diploma in June of 2011, and was in the classroom as Susan's assistant teacher that very fall.
Paulina is married, and a mother to a new baby girl. In her free time, Paulina enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, watching films, and traveling.
Alison Bott, Assistant Teacher
Alison Bott received her AMI diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Northern California in Mountain View. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Manchester University in the UK and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Westminster College, Oxford. She taught in the UK for 4 years before moving to California.
Alison is married and has 2 children who both went to San Jose Montessori School.
Alison enjoys hiking, reading, arts and crafts, singing and playing the ukulele. She has been working at SJMS since 2010 and loves seeing the children become independent and enthusiastic learners.
Roxan Shroff, Assistant Teacher
Roxan got her AMI Primary Montessori training from MTCBC (Montessori Training Centre of B.C.) in Vancouver, B.C. in 2007. She worked as a head teacher in Canada.
Roxan is married and has been a parent at San Jose Montessori School since 2012 , both of her daughters have now graduated SJMS. In spring 2016 she joined the staff as the Outdoor Environment teacher. She is now an Assistant Teacher in the classroom.
Roxan enjoys baking with her daughters, yoga, walking her dog, Olive, hiking with her family, and sharing space with nature.
Roxan is married and has been a parent at San Jose Montessori School since 2012 , both of her daughters have now graduated SJMS. In spring 2016 she joined the staff as the Outdoor Environment teacher. She is now an Assistant Teacher in the classroom.
Roxan enjoys baking with her daughters, yoga, walking her dog, Olive, hiking with her family, and sharing space with nature.
Daphne Lin, Outdoor Teacher/All Day Montessori Teacher
Daphne was born in and grew up in Taiwan. After she graduated high school in Taiwan, Daphne came to the United States to study. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University in 2013. After graduating from San Jose State University, Daphne took the AMI Montessori Teacher Training, graduating in May 2014.
Daphne volunteered at San Jose Montessori School for three years from 2014 until 2017. She has been in her current role since 2019, which is when we officially re-opened in our current site.
In her spare time, Daphne enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, and singing.
Daphne volunteered at San Jose Montessori School for three years from 2014 until 2017. She has been in her current role since 2019, which is when we officially re-opened in our current site.
In her spare time, Daphne enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, and singing.
Tara Padget, Office Manager/Assistant Teacher
Tara Padget joined San Jose Montessori School (SJMS) in 2017 as the Office Manager and Assistant Teacher. Previously, Tara worked ten years at Casa di Mir Montessori School. She initially joined Casa di Mir as an Administrative Assistant, and the last eight years as the Admissions Director.
Tara completed her training and received her Montessori credentials for AMI in 2019.
In addition to our school community, Tara is dedicated to her fitness & running, singing, learning to play guitar and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Tara completed her training and received her Montessori credentials for AMI in 2019.
In addition to our school community, Tara is dedicated to her fitness & running, singing, learning to play guitar and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Lei Wu, Outdoor Teacher/Assistant Teacher
Lei Wu grew up in China. She received her Master degree from Academy of Art University at San Francisco, and the AMI primary Montessori diploma from Montessori Northwest in Milpitas.
Lei has a two year-old daughter. She really enjoys playing and learning with children. She believes a good, early childhood education is the best gift we give to children. True education comes from true life. Montessori education brings independence, discipline, and courtesy to children. She believes her daughter will become strong and confident this environment.
Lei enjoys hiking, swimming, and dancing in her spare time.
Lei has a two year-old daughter. She really enjoys playing and learning with children. She believes a good, early childhood education is the best gift we give to children. True education comes from true life. Montessori education brings independence, discipline, and courtesy to children. She believes her daughter will become strong and confident this environment.
Lei enjoys hiking, swimming, and dancing in her spare time.