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
Irene 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
Since completing my Montessori training in 2011, I have served as a lead teacher, mentored interns, worked as a site director, and now proudly hold the role of Head of School. In 2013, I expanded my journey into adult education, teaching for several Montessori training programs, and was honored to lead one as the Director.
My Passion
My passion for the Montessori method and my commitment to providing an authentic Montessori experience continue to guide my work with adult learners. Teaching adults has not only deepened my own understanding of Montessori principles but has also strengthened my practice as a lead teacher.
I am especially inspired by seeing new adult learners embrace the Montessori philosophy—and even more so by witnessing the profound transformation it brings to the children in their care.
Katie McDonnell-Mason
Cultural
Katie has been involved with Montessori Education for more than fifty years!
She is trained at the infant/toddler, 3-6, and 6-9 levels. Katie has worked in many parts of the world: the U.S., South East Asia, The Middle East and Europe.
She enjoys training international adult learners. Her particular interests are the cultural subjects, at all levels, as well as expanding practical life at the 6-9 level.
Mandi Lee
Mandi has dedicated over 30 years to the field of education. She holds a Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s College, a K-12 teaching credential, and is Montessori certified through the American Montessori Society (AMS). The majority of her career was spent at Valley Montessori School, where she served as a classroom teacher and Developmental Specialist, coordinating student screenings, leading parent workshops, and conducting staff training sessions.
Mandi is a two-time keynote speaker for the North East Association for the Education of Young Children (NEAYC) and has presented at several major Montessori conferences, including the AMS Symposium in Livermore (2024), The Montessori Event (2021), and Montessori TIME (2019). In addition, she has served as an instructor for the Montessori Institute for Advanced Studies for the past four years. Mandi is deeply passionate about education and continually shares her love of learning with students, parents, and fellow educators.
Dilnawaz Kapadia
Dilnawaz Kapadia holds a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California at Berkeley, CA.
She received her Montessori Early Childhood Credentials from the Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies in Castro Valley, CA. Ms. Kapadia has served as the Assistant Director of the Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies in Castro Valley since 2019 and was a Primary Lead from 2015 to 2020.
She received her Elementary credential from Montessori Live in 2023 and has been an Elementary educator at Valley Montessori School since 2020.
Kelly Easter
Kelly Easter is the Sensorial Instructor for the Summer Intensive Teacher Training Course at Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies in Castro Valley, California. A San Francisco native, She moved to Tennessee in March of 2023. Kelly first discovered Montessori while working as a nanny when the children in her care began attending a Montessori preschool, and she fell in love with the teaching method. She later accepted a teaching position at that same school.
Kelly completed her AMS 3-6 Montessori training credential at MTEC-SFBA in 2003. She taught at The Bowman School in Palo Alto, California before joining the faculty of Mount Juliet Montessori Academy as Interim Director, and she served for five years on the board of BAMA (Bay Area Montessori Association). She graduated from AMS’ Instructor Academy in 2025. Kelly has 23 years of teaching experience and over 25+ years working with children.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.