We are proud of our staff at Northstar Montessori and the expertise they bring to caring for your child.

Ms. Tami Ms. Tami is the steadfast leader of the Northstar Crew. She has over 25 years of experience working with children and has owned and operated Northstar Montessori Preschool since 2004. Ms. Tami received her Child Development Associates certificate in 1998 and she received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential from Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute in 2005.  In her free time, Ms. Tami enjoys spending time with her husband, Kelly and two children Nikkole and Sierra as well her extended family and many friends. Ms. Tami's other interests involve her responsibilities as a board member for Varsity Blues, attending her daughter’s dance competitions, attending child development training's, maintaining the school properties, doing construction, and a variety of crafts.

Mrs. Mary  Mrs. Mary is one of our lead classroom teachers at Northstar Montessori. She received her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential from the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute. She has worked in the area of Montessori Education since 1999. Mrs. Mary is also a Waldorf trained teacher. Mrs. Mary received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. In her free time, Mrs. Mary is a professional portrait artist and her special interests include creativity development, music (including composing), researching diet,health, and fitness and ways to foster imaginative alternatives to the television. Mrs. Mary is married to "Mr. Tim" and is the proud mother of three grown children, Adam, Joshua and Diana. Mrs. Mary is also a proud grandmother to Cally and Lucy ,the daughters of Adam and his wife Christy.

Ms. Vicki  Ms. Vicki is one of our lead classroom teachers at our Northstar Montessori. She received her Montessori instruction at the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute in Adrian, Michigan. Ms. Vicki also holds her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Ms. Vicki's New Year's resolutions include finally finishing her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at Sienna Heights University in Adrian and getting certified as a Laughing Yoga facilitator.  Prior to having her three children, she taught grades one through three for ten years in the public school system in Illinois. After raising her children up in the Traverse City area, she relocated to Saline, where she still resides. Ms. Vicki loves teaching, gardening, the arts, to travel, and the Chicago White Sox. Now that her children are grown, she has every intention of putting the pedal to the metal as often as she can get away!

Ms. Shawn Ms. Shawn is the lead teacher of the Toddler Program.  She comes to us with over 10 years of experience in various daycare settings.  She has extensive experience working with children from birth through age 12, as well as with children who have special needs, including ADHD, bipolar disorder and diabetes. Ms. Shawn has recently completed her Child Development Associate program as well as the Secondary Education Program at Washtenaw Community College.  We are proud to say that Ms. Shawn graduated with Honors!  Shawn lives in Saline with her two children, Hunter and Skyler.

Miss Jill Miss Jill, one of our teaching assistants, began her Montessori training during the 2004-2005 school year, when she attended the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teaching Institute.  She is currently working hard on completing her Montessori albums for her certification from the American Montessori Society.  She is also attending the WashtenawCommunity College to Eastern Michigan University transfer program for elementary teacher education as a literature major.  She has been working at Northstar since 2003. Miss Jill enjoys watching movies, going on long walks, listening to a wide variety of music and spending time at her parents at Crystal Lake.

Ms. Manjula Ms. Manjula has been with us for the last three years. She is a graduate of Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center in Rochester Hills, Michigan. In addition to her Montessori training, Ms. Manjula has received her Bachelor of Arts in English, Music, and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Instrumental Music (Sitar) from Kurukshetra University, India. Further, Ms. Manjula holds a Bachelor of Education from Anna Malai University in India, with majors in English, English as a Second Language, and Social Studies. She also holds a diploma  in Yoga and Accupressure Therapy. In her free time,she does volunteer work to promote Art and Culture in the community. Ms. Manjula is a member of 'Canton Arts Commission'and 'Multicultural Committee' of Canton, Michigan. She also works with local organizations to bring Indian music and cultural events to the public.
Ms. Cris Ms. Cris, one of our teaching assistants, has lived in Saline since 1996.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree in P.E. from Wayne State University. She started her career teaching preschool and kindergarten in 1981. Ms. Cris has been married to Randy, since 1982.They own a car dealership in Jackson and are the proud parents of 4 children, ranging in ages from 15 to 24.
Ms. Sandy Ms. Sandy facilitates the after-care program.  She comes to us with over 10 years of experience working as a food service assistant and as a crossing guard for the Saline School system. Ms. Sandy is a life time resident of Saline.  She is happily married to Kevin.  They are the proud parents of two grown daughters, Carrie and Elizabeth.  They spend as much time as they can with their first grandchild.

Miss Michelle Miss  Michelle has returned to us as one of our teaching assistants after three years of developing and  teaching in  Milan's preschool program.  Michelle will be attending the Adrian Montessori Preschool Training program in the fall to receive her Montessori credentials. Miss Michelle enjoys camping, hiking, and fishing. She has five children of her own ranging in ages from 9 to 18.

Ms. Laura Our newest teacher, Ms. Laura will be assisting in both the infant and toddler classrooms at east with a primary focus on the infant classroom. She is also a mother of three and her youngest attended northstar last year. Her background is secondary education and is also a retail business owner. She is working on the completion of her infant/toddler certification which will be complete in march. Ms. Laura has a strong passion for caring for little people and is proving to be a great asset to our school.