Faculty

The faculty at the Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies is dedicated to preparing future Montessori teachers with a deep grounding in Maria Montessori’s philosophy. We help to develop individuals who have a broader approach in the contemporary context of child development and educational thought.

Our faculty has over forty years of combined experience in early childhood education and the Montessori method.

Meher van Groenou (Program Director), M.A., Montessori Education, St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California. MSW from University of Michigan, A.M.S. Early Childhood Credential. Teacher since 1981 and Teacher-Trainer since 1986 in USA, Europe and India. TRN Mentor, researcher, author, and AMS workshop presenter. Founder of the Montessori School of Hayward and the Montessori School at Five Canyons.

Irene Baker, MEd, holds both primary (ages 3-6) and elementary (ages 6-12) Montessori certifications and has taught at all three levels. She has been a Montessori teacher-trainer for both primary and elementary levels for over  20 years and taught at the Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies for 17 years. Irene has a gift for mentoring and guiding student interns through their internship year of teaching. She has presented workshops for teachers at schools and American Montessori Society national conferences. Her work with both students and teachers is infused with her passion for language, non-violent (compassionate) communication, nature, meditation, music, and poetry.

Julianne Golden

Photo and bio coming soon.