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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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
Read More
Cindy Thompson
Early Childhood Head Teacher
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Susan El-Ghossaini
TK / Kindergarten Head Teacher
...
Read More
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.
Read More
Request Information.
Please fill out the form to receive more information and invitations to our upcoming events. If you provide your phone number, our admissions team will reach out to answer any questions or arrange a tour.
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.
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.
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.
...
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.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
