Montessori Greenhouse School was founded in 1970 by Joy & Charles Turner with the goal of offering a high quality educational beginning for children before they reached school age (3 – 6- year olds). In 1981 we expanded our program to include Elementary. Since that time we have opened an infant/toddler program and built a new school facility, as well. We serve the needs of children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years.
Choose a program to learn how we focus on addressing all four components for a successful child's education: curriculum, pedagogy, professional development and parent engagement.
a seasoned educator, Montessorian, Teacher Trainer and Director. Heather began her career in education at the University of Calgary where she earned her Bachelor degree in 1985. After getting married and moving to California in 1987, she began to work at Montessori Greenhouse.
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Emma Gilani
Administrator
Emma handles the accounting and daily facility operations. Emma joined MGH in 2000 after both of her boys began attending preschool. Emma bursts with pride when she talks about her adult children who went to Montessori Greenhouse from the early childhood level through 6th grade.
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Anita Alaja
Toddler 2/Early Childhood Transition Head Teacher
Anita Alaja has been a teacher at Montessori Greenhouse since 1994. She realized her passion for early childhood education when taking college courses in 1990. This new found love came as a major shift in her life as she was previously studying Locomotive Engineering.
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Lizbeth Manzo-Gonzalez
Toddler 1 Head Teacher
Lizbeth realized her love of teaching in college where she took up multiple volunteer opportunities and internships to work with children of various ages, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures. She received her Bachelors of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton.
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Jasmin Sanchez
Lower Elementary Head Teacher
Jasmin Sanchez graduated from California State University, Long Beach with her Bachelor of Arts in English Education. She has always been passionate about education and working with children. When she first discovered Montessori, she was immediately drawn to the philosophy, curriculum, and materials.
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Radhika Seneviratne
Early Childhood Head Teacher
Radhika Seneviratne has been a Montessori Teacher for the past 40 years and holds a Montessori certification in Early Childhood Education for 3 to 6 year old's. She joined Montessori Greenhouse in 1990 as the Toddler program’s Head Teacher
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Karishma Shah
Upper Elementary Head Teacher
Karishma has a Masters degree in History and a Bachelors in Economics. She is certified in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education of the Montessori system under AMS (American Montessori Society) from the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program.
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Shirley Stahl
TK / Kindergarten Head Teacher
Inspired by her own children’s suggestions, coupled with an early interest in the field and psychology, the former paralegal/secretary Shirley changed vocations in 2018. She received her 2nd college degree with honors in Child Development.
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Cindy Thompson
Early Childhood Head Teacher
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Cindy has been with Montessori Greenhouse for nearly 20 years. She began her career working at the Los Alamitos school as a teacher's assistant in the classroom.
Melissa Vasquez
Upper Elementary Head Teacher
Inspired by her own children’s suggestions, coupled with an early interest in the field and psychology, the former paralegal/secretary Shirley changed vocations in 2018. She received her 2nd college degree with honors in Child Development.
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Deborah Wallin
Lower Elementary Head Teacher
Deborah has taught grades 2-8 in public and private schools. She earned her Teaching Credential at CSU Long Beach and Liberal Studies degree as well as Supplementary Authorizations to teach English, Social Studies, and Art.
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Susan El-Ghossaini
TK / Kindergarten Head Teacher
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Christine Weld
Director / Early Childhood Head Teacher
Christine Weld began her career in early childhood development after high school. She received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Teaching Credential in 1988 from the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program.
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Karinna Burch
Early Childhood Head Teacher
Karinna has a zest for both teaching and learning. She has been working with children for the past 5 years as a swim instructor and will be graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills this year with a degree in Liberal Studies and an elementary teaching credential.
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Book a Personalized Tour.
Students are admitted on a first-come, first served basis, subject to availability at the selected school. When you tour the school you will have the opportunity to observe children in the classroom. Seeing the classes in session is important and will help you understand how our classrooms work. We will also explain Montessori philosophy and answer any questions you might have.
Our schools are open and accepting enrollment.
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Heather Lambert is the Executive Director of Montessori Greenhouse Schools. She is a seasoned educator, Montessorian, Teacher Trainer and Director. Heather began her career in education at the University of Calgary where she earned her Bachelor degree in 1985. After getting married and moving to California in 1987, she began to work at Montessori Greenhouse. Heather started as an associate teacher in the elementary school and very early on fell in love with the Montessori method. She immediately noticed that the classroom had a different feel to it. The children were empowered in a child-centered environment to nurture their natural desire for knowledge, independence, and to respect themselves and the world around them. They were encouraged to work to their capacity through individualized lessons tailored to their specific needs and developmentally appropriate concepts. The method had responsibility, accountability and the opportunity to thrive to be the best they could be built into it. Montessori philosophy enveloped social, emotional, physical and academic areas; it was the full package.
Heather received her AMS Elementary I credential from the Montessori Teacher Education Center in 1989. Heather was the full-time Head Teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom until 1993, then became the Director of the Elementary while continuing to teach. Since that time she has served as the Director of the Elementary, and the Curriculum Director of MGH. Heather has additional training for 3 - 6 year olds from the Montessori Western Teacher Training program and Upper Elementary certification from the North American Montessori Center. During her tenure, Heather helped redesign the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program’s Elementary I program, was the Program and Practicum Coordinator as well as the Language and Math Instructor. Heather is a certified Positive Discipline Instructor and also shared her passion by helping an NPO set up a Montessori school in the highlands of Guatemala. Heather is very grateful for her time at Montessori Greenhouse, the friends, mentors, parents, and especially the children whose lives she has encountered and been touched by. She started at MGH before her children, went on their journey with them from toddlerhood through 6th grade and is excited to stay around for her grandchildren. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading and traveling.
Emma Gilani is the Administrator for Montessori Greenhouse Schools. She handles the accounting and daily facility operations. Emma joined MGH in 2000 after both of her boys began attending preschool. For the 20 years prior, she worked in the Real Estate Center of Bank of America. It is her experience in the banking world that led her to the position she has today. Emma is the early morning greeter and truly enjoys her connections with the children and parents. Emma bursts with pride when she talks about her adult children who went to Montessori Greenhouse from the early childhood level through 6th grade.
Anita Alaja has been a teacher at Montessori Greenhouse since 1994. She realized her passion for early childhood education when taking college courses in 1990. This new found love came as a major shift in her life as she was previously studying Locomotive Engineering. Anita was driven to learn about the best forms of education and completed her Montessori Training with the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program to push herself to become a better educator for her future students. Through her years of teaching and learning, she has developed an understanding for her students and how to connect with them on individual levels that will benefit them in the classroom and in life. She has taken various opportunities to teach and guide different levels of children and has adapted her teaching style to match the needs of the children. During her time as Head Teacher, Anita has displayed her love for teaching through her unlimited support for her students and the educational foundation she helps to create for them.
Lizbeth realized her love of teaching in college where she took up multiple volunteer opportunities and internships to work with children of various ages, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures. She received her Bachelors of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton. For three years, Lizbeth volunteered at a non-profit organization tutoring elementary school children. Her passion for teaching greatly began through her guidance of physical education and art activities for students from the Fullerton School District. Lizbeth also worked as a substitute teacher’s assistant at various Montessori schools throughout Orange County. Her work in those schools resulted in an interest in the Montessori method which led her to work at Montessori Greenhouse. As Head Teacher, Lizbeth has strengthened her skills required to understand the unique necessities of each child. She enjoys teaching her toddler students about the world around them while also learning from them.
Jasmin Sanchez graduated from California State University, Long Beach with her Bachelor of Arts in English Education. She has always been passionate about education and working with children. When she first discovered Montessori, she was immediately drawn to the philosophy, curriculum, and materials. Eager to learn more, she received her Montessori training for 6 - 9 year olds from the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program. She brings her love of language to the classroom through teaching Spanish alongside the Montessori Language curriculum. In her free time, Jasmin enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and working on a variety of creative projects and crafts. She is delighted to be a part of the Montessori Greenhouse family.
Radhika Seneviratne has been a Montessori Teacher for the past 40 years and holds a Montessori certification in Early Childhood Education for 3 to 6 year olds. She joined Montessori Greenhouse in 1990 as the Toddler program’s Head Teacher and brought her daughter into the program after seeing the developmental growth and success of the children in her classroom. Her role evolved into Early Childhood Head Teacher a few years later, and then she became the Director of Early Childhood in 2006. Radhika has always been inspired by the strong bonds and connections she has been able to make with children over her years as a teacher. Her passion is to foster a learning environment in which her students feel encouraged and empowered to learn and succeed, and always feel supported throughout their journey to becoming autonomous human beings. Radhika's favorite pastimes are reading, watching movies and practicing yoga and meditation, and she even started a yoga class at school to spread her love for the practice.
“Committed to fostering growth for students of all ages and varying learning levels and styles.” Karishma has a Masters degree in History and a Bachelors in Economics. She is certified in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education of the Montessori system under AMS (American Montessori Society) from the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program. After being a Head Teacher for seven years in the Lower Elementary classroom, she has most recently been co-head teacher in the Upper Elementary classroom for the past six years. Driven by the philosophy that “every child is unique”, Karishma adapts and teaches concepts in many different ways depending on each student's needs. In particular, her focus has been on making her students get comfortable and confident in Math & Geometry concepts. She also adopts a holistic approach to developing her students by engaging them in extracurricular activities such as dance, dramatics and gaming (board & strategy games).
Shirley has had many different jobs in her life, but none so purposeful as that of being a mother and educator. Our future lies in the children. It is inspiring and joyful for her to be a positive part of another human’s life. As much as she aids them in learning, she feels they aid her as well. Shirley never expected that this occupation would be as consuming as it has shown itself to be. She likes to compare it to an adventure that she and the children are on together… on this path of education that is continuous and never ending. It is as if we are filling the black hole in space. Inspired by her own children’s suggestions, coupled with an early interest in the field and psychology, the former paralegal/secretary Shirley changed vocations in 2018. She received her 2nd college degree with honors in Child Development. In 2019 she found employment with Montessori Greenhouse. By December she became the Head Teacher of Toddler 1. She completed her Montessori training with the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program and interned under Christine Weld at the Kindergarten level within the school. Ready and well prepared, she is now a Head Teacher at the early childhood level. Having lived many years abroad in Europe, Shirley is multicultural and filled with life experiences. She loves sports and has a certificate in group training from Germany.
Cindy has been with Montessori Greenhouse for nearly 20 years. She began her career working at the Los Alamitos school as a teacher's assistant in the classroom. Last year Cindy completed her Montessori training with the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program and became a Head Teacher. This year, she transferred to the Garden Grove location and now has her own classroom! Cindy loves kids, enjoys teaching, reading, baking, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to the future and having her own classroom to help kids learn and grow.
Shirley has had many different jobs in her life, but none so purposeful as that of being a mother and educator. Our future lies in the children. It is inspiring and joyful for her to be a positive part of another human’s life. As much as she aids them in learning, she feels they aid her as well. Shirley never expected that this occupation would be as consuming as it has shown itself to be. She likes to compare it to an adventure that she and the children are on together… on this path of education that is continuous and never ending. It is as if we are filling the black hole in space. Inspired by her own children’s suggestions, coupled with an early interest in the field and psychology, the former paralegal/secretary Shirley changed vocations in 2018. She received her 2nd college degree with honors in Child Development. In 2019 she found employment with Montessori Greenhouse. By December she became the Head Teacher of Toddler 1. She completed her Montessori training with the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program and interned under Christine Weld at the Kindergarten level within the school. Ready and well prepared, she is now a Head Teacher at the early childhood level. Having lived many years abroad in Europe, Shirley is multicultural and filled with life experiences. She loves sports and has a certificate in group training from Germany.
Deborah loves learning with the children. She loves seeing their eyes light up when they feel a frog’s cool skin and sticky feet in the palms of their hands or look with amazement as a mama alligator opens her wide jaws to cradle and protect her babies inside her gaping mouth. Deborah loves the outdoors, the ocean, the mountains, hiking and identifying native California wildflowers and plants, and birding at Bolsa Chica Wetlands, sitting for hours with a patient blue heron waiting in a focused stillness to stab a silvery fish for dinner. She enjoys paddle boarding and kayaking in wetlands, bays, and mangrove forests. Deborah has taught grades 2-8 in public and private schools. She earned her Teaching Credential at CSU Long Beach and Liberal Studies degree as well as Supplementary Authorizations to teach English, Social Studies, and Art. Deborah came to Montessori Greenhouse in 2011 and found herself absolutely delighted with the Montessori philosophy, which is essentially respect for the child, the Montessori materials and the Montessori Cultural Curriculum which in Montessori’s words offers the child “the whole Universe.” She feels privileged to be able to provide that experience to the children here at Montessori Greenhouse. Deborah is blessed to have three daughters and 6 grandchildren living here in Southern California. She loves to go see pterosaurs at the Natural History Museum or impressionist art at the Getty or the headhunter artifacts from Papua New Guinea at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Deborah loves to travel. Some of her favorite places to visit are Cinqueterre, Italy, the mangrove forest of Costa Rica, and the history and beauty of Ephesus, Turkey in spring when the red poppies gelinciks are blooming.
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Christine Weld began her career in early childhood development after high school. She received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Teaching Credential in 1988 from the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program. In 1984, she accepted a position as a teacher’s aide at Montessori Greenhouse Schools in Garden Grove, where she remains to this day. During her career, she has been Head Teacher and Director of the Early Childhood program, culminating with her current role as Head Teacher in the Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten classroom. She considers this a great privilege, excited to help young minds explore, learn and develop. Christine is an instructor for the Cultural Subjects: art, history, geography botany, zoology and science with MWTTP. Chistine has had the opportunity to supervise many new Montessori interns during her career with Montessori Greenhouse Schools and MWTTP. She is very passionate and has studied under many talented teachers and educators. In her time away from school, she enjoys reading historical fiction, vacationing near the seaside and spending time with her amazing family.
Karinna has a zest for both teaching and learning. She has been working with children for the past 5 years as a swim instructor and will be graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills this year with a degree in Liberal Studies and an elementary teaching credential. She completed the curriculum phase of the Montessori Western Teacher Training Program for Early Childhood in August of 2021 and her internship with Michelle Fuentes will be complete in June 2022.
“The study of child psychology in the first years of life opens our eyes to such wonders that no one seeing them with understanding can fail to be deeply stirred. Our work as adults does not consist in teaching, but in helping the infant mind in its work of development.” Maria Montessori
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