Our Community
The faculty of MST is drawn from an international mix of talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. The diversity of our teaching faculty mirrors the diversity of our international community of families. One thing we all have in common is our love of teaching and our commitment to nurturing the best in children through the Montessori method.
James Moore
Head of School
James joined MST’s faculty as a classroom assistant and PE & Music specialist in 2004. He quickly got involved in coordinating our enrichment and extra-curricular programmes, which became his main role for 3 years. He then became MST's Director of Operations, overseeing the general day-to-day operational running of the school for a further 7 years while maintaining regular contact with students through various enrichment programmes.
After a decade at the school, James became MST's Assistant Head of School in 2014: a role he held for 6 years before moving into his current position as Head of School in the summer of 2020.
In his current role, James oversees the growth and development of an expanding MST, while providing stability for both parents and staff. He remains accessible to parents and is a familiar face around the school for the entire community. James plays the piano and guitar and is an active vocalist who enjoys performing in the Tokyo area.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Administrators Certificate, 2021, Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies, Arizona, USA
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Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2020, Montessori Institute of San Diego, USA.
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American Montessori Society (AMS), Montessori School Management, 2011, Center for Montessori Teacher Education, New York, USA.
Mathematics and Computer Science, B.Sc. 2001, University of Leeds, UK.
Gel Vicencio
Assistant Head of School
Gel grew up in Sydney, Australia, where she worked at various independent schools teaching English Literature and subjects from the IB curriculum, before joining MST in 2019. She has specialised qualifications in gifted education and experience working with students who have diverse learning needs. A long-time believer in the importance of progressive education, Gel loves helping students ignite their spark and discover the valuable contribution they have to make to the world. Her special interests - which she loves sharing with students - include social justice and human rights, environmentalism, and the power of the written word as a force for positive change.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Introduction to Adolescence Certificate, 2020, International Montessori Training Institute
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Administrators Certificate, 2019, Whole School Leadership Institute, Houston, USA
Graduate Certificate of Gifted Education, 2017, University of NSW, Australia
Master of International Education, 2012, University of Sydney, Australia
Graduate Diploma of Education, 2005, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
BA(Hons) in Government & International Relations, English Literature, and French Literature, 2004, University of Sydney, Australia
Masato Saiki
Business Manager
Chisa Honda
Educational Affairs & Communications
Chisa attended an international school in Tokyo and finished her middle, high school and university in the UK. After completing a degree in Teaching and obtaining her Montessori qualifications, she returned to Tokyo where she worked at an international school.
She joined MST in 2013 and worked in supporting the Early Childhood, before moving into the Administration in early 2015. Amongst other interests, Chisa has volunteered at orphanages and senior caring homes in Tokyo obtained a purple belt in Aikido and plays a decent round of golf.
North American Montessori Center, Infant and Toddler (0-3), 2014, Surrey, B.C. Canada
North American Montessori Center, Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2013, Surrey, B.C. Canada
English Studies for Teaching B.A. 2012, University of Buckingham, UK
Liz Masuzoe
Front Office Coordinator / Administration Officer
Liz graduated from an international school in Okinawa and worked in a US financial firm in Tokyo for 7 years after completing a degree in Social Science with an economics major. As she spent some precious time at home bringing up her sons, she attended interpreting school and then worked as an interpreter/translator mainly for Japanese media companies for 5 years. Prior to joining MST in May 2019, she worked as an assistant manager in a pearl and jewelry retail company.
Social Science, B.A. 1986, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
Jake Redden
IT & Communications
Jake brings a wealth of experience as a former manager of a dedicated IT support and repair team in Scotland. Driven by his passion for education and creativity, he obtained his teaching certificate and embarked on a journey to bridge the gap between IT, creativity, and education. Always seeking out new opportunities, programs, and techniques, Jake strives to keep our school at the cutting edge of technology.
With a focus on supporting and training faculty members, Jake aims to provide continuous assistance in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of IT. Moreover, he aspires to develop an engaging curriculum that not only nurtures students' computing skills but also instills in them an appreciation for the safe and ethical use of technology.
By integrating his expertise in IT, creativity, and education, Jake endeavors to create an environment where innovation thrives and students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the digital age.
Maria Hovi
Office Administration & Reception
Maria grew up in Finland and Belgium and moved to the UK to go to university. After her studies, she moved to Japan and taught children and adults at various schools in Tokyo and Sapporo before becoming an Admissions Officer at an international school. After that, she worked for a university in Austria managing the university's internship program, lecturing and supporting students in finding internships, until returning to Japan and starting work at MST in 2022.
AMI Montessori, 3-6 Orientation, 2022
Shoko Lowe
School Nurse
Tomofumi Ito
Facilities Officer
Shiho Uemura
Office Administrator
Aika Sakanouchi
Admissions
Little People
Akane Katsube
Little People Pine
Akane performed on stage with a professional Acting Company for a number of years, prior to entering the education field. Before joining MST in 2010, she worked in international schools in Tokyo working with children from 18 months to 6 years old. While working at a Japanese Montessori school, she obtained her AMI Montessori Diploma.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Assistants to Infancy (0-3), 2016, The Montessori Training Centre of British Coloumbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6) 2010, ​The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan
En Acting School, Japan. 1994, ​Japan
Arts & Science College, 1991, Temple University, Tokyo, Japan
Sayuri Sonoda
Little People Pine
Sayuri spent her childhood in Utah where she was born. She worked as a flight attendant for fifteen years until the birth of her daughter, which gave rise to her interest in Montessori. Her experience of motherhood reinforced her belief in the Montessori approach; her decision to study it from a mother's perspective led to her becoming a teacher.
Association Montessori International (AMI) Elementary assistant (9-12) Diploma, 2019, Yokohama, Japan
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Assistants to Infancy (0-3), 2017 Ebina, Kanto Japan
Jansdei Bersalona
Little People Pine
Jansdei was born in the Philippines and is a registered nurse with hospital experience. Before coming to MST, she was a homeroom teacher in an international Science school in Tokyo. She has a great interest in Montessori education. In her spare time, she enjoys singing with her daughter, reading, dancing, amongst other cultural activities.
AMI Montessori, 0-3 Orientation, 2022
Registered Nurse, 2006, Baguio City, Philippines
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2004, University of Northern Philippines, Philippines
Ayano Riley
Little People Pine
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Assistants to Infancy Diploma (0-3), 2023, International Montessori Training Center, Fukuoka, Japan
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology-Anthropology, 2016, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
Yulia Akyol
Little People Pine Support
Yulia graduated from the Vaganova Academy in Saint-Petersburg in 2007. While studying, Yulia worked as a pianist in the Mariinsky Theater, and actively performed as a solo pianist, became a winner of Grand Prize Competition in Italy in 2005, and performed at Carnegie Hall, New York City, USA in 2006. She was invited to come and work in Japan as a pianist at the International Dance School in Tokyo in 2007. From that point on Yulia worked as a pianist in classical ballet and as a private piano teacher until 2018.
In 2018 her daughter was born. That is when Yulia became very interested in early childhood education, and discovered the Montessori method for herself. In 2021 she started her Master of Music in Music Education at the University of Florida. Yulia joined MST in April 2022 as a music and early childhood support teacher. She has received her AMI certificate (0-3) in 2022.
Master of Music in Music Education, 2023, University of Florida, USA
Association Montessori International (AMI) Assistant to Infancy (0-3) Certificate, 2022, Washington Montessori Institute, USA
Bachelor of Art in Music (Concertmaster, Teacher, Chamber Ensemble Artist in the field, Instrumental Performance: Piano), 2007, State Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia
The School of St. Petersburg Conservatory, Russia, 2002
Sunshine
Shivani Dyal
Sunshine Sequoia
Shivani was raised in an Army household and comes from New Delhi, India. She spent some time in Corporate training in India and London, UK, before entering the education field. She has experience working with students aged 3-16 years as a life skills teacher and also trained teachers while working in an early learning centre in India. She completed her AMI Primary training in Mumbai, India, and joined MST in 2016. Shivani loves to travel the world and enjoys cooking and baking in her free time.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2016, Ratan Tata Institute, Mumbai, India
Counseling Psychology M.A. 2005, Amity Institute of Allied and Behavioural Sciences, India
Political Science B.A. (Hons), 2003, Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi University, India
Miki Umenaga
Sunshine Sequoia
American Montessori Society(AMS), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2020, New England Montessori Teacher Education Center (NEMTEC), Boston, USA
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2020, Charlottesville, USA
Mid-School and High-School English Teacher's Qualification, 2000, Meisei University, Tokyo, Japan
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and English Literature, 2000, Meisei University, Tokyo, Japan
Allison Nagakawa
Sunshine Cedar
Allison grew up in both the US and Japan. She worked in several international preschools and public schools around Kansai. She had a dream to make education better for children in Japan and found and fell in love with Montessori. Upon receiving her Masters in Montessori Education, she opened a small Montessori infant community with her husband for a short time before moving to Kanagawa to receive her AMI training. Allison loves singing with her husband and son. She joined MST in 2021.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood (3-6) Diploma, 2021, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan
Masters in Education (M.Ed) with a Montessori focus, 2019, Xavier University, Ohio
Bachelors of Science in Psychology, 2012, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, 2012, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania
Dolly Solanki
Sunshine Cedar
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Casa dei Bambini (Early Childhood Diploma 3-6), 2015, The RTI Montessori Training Course, Mumbai, India.
Bachelor of Commerce, 2014, Mumbai University, India.
Ludovica Molinari Momoi
Sunshine Hazel and Early Childhood Level Lead
Ludovica studied in her home country of Italy and worked at a school there. After a few years, she was introduced to Montessori and went to Ireland where she gained her AMI qualifications. Since then she worked at Montessori schools in Ireland and the Netherlands. She joined MST in 2014.
Instructional Leadership Certificate, 2022, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Administrators Certificate, 2021, Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies, Arizona, USA
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2012, The Montessori College, Dublin, Ireland
Educational Sciences MA, 2007, University of Milan, Italy
Maki Sugamata
Sunshine Hazel
Maki obtained a bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Lesley University in Massachusetts, USA, before returning to Japan to take her AMI Montessori teacher training for 3-6, graduating in 2002. She joined MST in 2003, working for 8 years as a co-teacher in both our Little People and Sunshine programmes.
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Maki departed MST to complete the Assistants to Infancy (0-3) AMI training in Vancouver, Canada, before returning to Japan and being part of a team that founded a small Montessori school in the Tokyo area, where she also led both toddler and 3-6 classrooms.
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Maki was delighted to return to MST and is looking forward to reacquainting herself with the community.
Miho Hamaji
Sunshine Olive
Miho has worked at MST since 2006. Prior to that, she studied towards an Early Childhood qualification in Australia. She recently returned there to study towards her Montessori assistant's certification.
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Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2018, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, , Kanagawa-ken, Japan
Montessori Assistant Certificate, Australian Centre For Montessori Studies, 2014, Sydney, Australia
Bronwyn Yamasaki
Sunshine Olive
Bronwyn, originally from Canada, attended university in England for musical theatre. After an eight year career in the performing arts she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Montessori guide. She trained in Toronto, Canada, and moved to Japan in 2020. After working in another Montessori school Bronwyn joined MST in 2021.
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Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2020, The Foundation for Montessori Education, Toronto, Canada.
Musical Theatre, B.A. 2009, The Arts Educational School, London, England.
Sunshine Support
Mu Li
Early Childhood Support
Mu got her bachelor’s and master's degrees in finance in the UK and the US before joining an investment
bank in Japan, where she spent 7 years working as a trader. Since then she has worked and studied in Hong Kong, New York, Beijing and London. Mu is passionate about screenwriting and became the co-founder of a film company.
After giving birth to her first child, Mu stumbled upon the Montessori philosophy and became genuinely interested in it. She finished her AMI 3-6 diploma training in London in 2020. In order to understand the full age spectrum of the Montessori journey that follows the child’s natural development, Mu completed the AMI 0-3, 6-12 and 12-18 training before joining MST.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori International Diploma 3-6 level, Maria Montessori Institute, London, 2020
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori International 12-18 Adolescent Introductory Workshop Certificate, Maria Montessori Institute, London, 2022
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori International 6-12 Orientation Certificate, 2022
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori International 0-3 Orientation Certificate, 2022
Master of Financial Engineering, 2007, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Bachelor of Accounting and Finance, 2005, University of Manchester, UK
Screenwriting and Producing, 2015, New York Film Academy, USA
Dorothy Sasai
Early Childhood Support
Dorothy worked in a secretarial business role prior to relocating to Japan. Her passion for education arose after she had her own children, and she taught in a Japanese kindergarten until she first discovered MST in 2006. After 5 years supporting our Sunshine programmes, she continued to teach and tutor in a private capacity, before returning to MST again in 2018. During her free time, she enjoys travelling, dance aerobics, art and window shopping.
Certificate of Classroom Leadership by The Montessori Foundation, 2007, U.S.A (Online Study).
Diploma in Private Secretarial, 1981, Bedford Finishing College, affiliated with The Pitmans Examination, London
Jocelyn Saito
Early Childhood Support
Mother of three and passionate Montessorian, Jocelyn is excited to bring her love of nature and art to the MST Garden. She finds joy in seeing how easily children discover more about their world, without even having to leave school! In her spare time, Jocelyn enjoys watercolor painting and finding unique vintage pieces around Japan.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2023, Montessori Institute of San Diego, San Diego, California
Master in Teaching, 2016, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
Bachelor of Art History/Arts Management, 2013,
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
Ryoko Seto
Early Childhood Support
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2022, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan
Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2019, HOSEI Business School of Innovation Management Global MBA, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Minor: Arabic Studies, 2017, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Bachelor of Psychology and Child Studies, 2009, Kobe Kaisei College, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Lower Elementary
Kinota Braithwaite
Lower Elementary Oak
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Kinota has over 10 years of Montessori teaching experience. In 2006, he joined MST for the first time, and taught for 3 years in our Lower Elementary program and has also taught in Montessori schools in Yellowknife, Prague and Vienna. Kinota's mission in life is to help children reach their fullest potential and make a positive impact on their lives. When not teaching or thinking up creative lesson ideas, Kinota loves hiking up mountains, cooking Japanese cuisine, technology and bilingual education. He is truly excited to be a part of the MST school community again.
Institute for Multi-Sensory Education - 2021, Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training, USA
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Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy, 2020, University of California, Riverside - University Extension, USA
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English Teacher Certification for Primary and Secondary Schools, 2018, Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies - Czech Technical University, Czech Republic
American Montessori Society (AMS) Elementary II Diploma (9-12), 2013, Vancouver Board of Education, Canada
American Montessori Society (AMS) Elementary I Diploma (6-9), 2008, Vancouver Training Institute, Canada
Computer Information Systems, B.Sc., 2001, DeVry Institute of Technology, USA
Makiko Shimada
Lower Elementary Oak
Upon graduating from Meiji University, Tokyo, Makiko traveled the world and taught Japanese to elementary students in different countries including Canada, where she lived until 2005, obtaining a Fine Arts Degree in that time. She returned to Japan with her Canadian husband and together they ran a language school in Akita for 10 years. She joined MST in 2016.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), 2019, Classroom Assistants Certificate Elementary (6-12)
Printmaking & Ceramics B.F.A. 2000, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver, Canada
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Dramaturgy B.A., 1990, Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan
Sanjana Soman
Lower Elementary Maple
Sanjana’s relationship with the Montessori pedagogy began at the age of three when she attended a Montessori school in Bangalore, India. Having experienced memorable non-traditional schooling systems as a child, Sanjana is passionate about sharing this love of learning with children around the world. After 5 years of teaching at non-Montessori schools, she then moved to an international Montessori school in Vietnam where she was the 6-12 Elementary teacher for next 3 years. Sanjana is very excited to be a part of the MST community from 2020
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2015, Navadisha Montessori Foundation, Chennai, India
Master of Design (Graphic Design), 2010, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Visual Communication B.Sc, 2007, MOP Vaishnav College, Madras University, India
Yuki Hamaguchi
Lower Elementary Maple
​​Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2021, Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Bachelor of Human Sciences in Human Behavior and Environment Sciences, 2013, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Kei Shirakawa
Lower Elementary Ginkgo
Kei first qualified and worked as a Montessori Coordinator at the Early Childhood level in Japan for 3 years. Her interest in Montessori education for older age groups led her to train at the Elementary level in the U.S. She joined MST 2018
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2018, Montessori Northwest, Oregon, USA
Bachelor of Education (Qualified as Kindergarten and Elementary Teacher),2015, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, Japan
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood Diploma (3-6),2013, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan
Taylor Young
Lower Elementary Ginkgo
Taylor comes to us from Redlands, California, U.S.A. where she attended a Montessori school from the age of three, all the way through her high school years. She later went on to graduate with her BA in Anthropology and Sociology, a MA in Education and a California State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at the age of 22 years old.
Although she began her career in a traditional school setting, Taylor has always been anxious to get back to Montessori and teach in an environment like the one that helped to prepare her. She is thrilled to have become a part of the Montessori in Tokyo community and looks forward to helping her students discover and thrive.
Bachelors in Anthropology & Sociology - University of Redlands, Redlands, California, USA - 2018
Masters in Education - University of Redlands, Redlands, California, USA - 2019
California State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - University of Redlands, Redlands, California, USA - 2019
(AMI) Monterssori Assistant Certificate - Montessori Northwest, Spokane, Washington, USA - 2021
(AMI) 6-12 Montessori Teacher Diploma - Montessori Northwest - Expected 2023
Upper Elementary
Kelly Godsoe
Upper Elementary Teacher & Elementary Level Lead
Kelly studied Japanese at Duke University in the USA, and upon graduating moved to Japan to teach in Japanese public schools with the JET Program. She then returned to the US to obtain her Master's degree. Since then Kelly has held numerous teaching roles at Japanese and International schools in Japan (including observing and doing her Montessori teaching practice at MST). She taught in both public and private Montessori schools in the USA and Canada before her bond with Japan brought her to MST in 2016.
Instructional Leadership Certificate, 2022, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Administrators Certificate, 2021, Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies, Arizona, USA
Public School Licensure, 2014, Washington D.C., USA
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2011, Montessori Institute of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Teaching Foreign Languages, M.A., 2004, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Art History & Japanese, B.A., 2000, Duke University, Durham, USA
Koji Taniyama
Upper Elementary Willow
Koji studied child development in Japan and the USA and has taught Japanese and music at schools in San Francisco. He enjoys writing and singing songs in English and Japanese and sharing his love of music and language with children. He has also taught guitar and organised community groups in the Bay Area for Japanese/English bilingual early childhood educators and multicultural family playgroups. After 16 years living in San Francisco, he returned to his hometown, Tokyo, with his wife and young son. He joined MST in 2016.
Music Education for Teachers Specialization 2023, Berklee University
6-12 Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials. 2021, Ministry of Education - Japan
Association Montessori International. 12-18 Orientation. 2021, Great Work Inc, Train Montessori
Montessori Model United Nations Teacher Coordinator Certificate - 2016, in California, Montessori Model United Nations,
Montessori Fundamentals, 2016, Center for Guided Montessori Studies, Florida USA
Elementary School English Teaching Certificate, 2015, Japan
Child Development Administrator Certification, 2014, City College of San Francisco, California, USA
State Early Childhood Development Teacher Permit, 2013, California, USA
Child Development Practitioner Certification, 2013, City College of San Francisco, California, USA
Kari Frentzel
Upper Elementary Willow
Kari is from Boston but grew up in Tokyo and attended Honmura Elementary School in Minami Azabu. Her interest in education began when she worked with international exchange students from around the world in college. She previously worked in the elementary classroom of a Montessori school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and she is currently working towards obtaining her
AMI Elementary Diploma. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University and has also lived in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2021, Montessori Center of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Montessori Elementary Education, M.A., 2021, St. Catherine’s University, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
International Relations, B.A., 2016, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
Yukimasa Nagakawa
Upper Elementary Willow
Yukimasa is from Kyoto and grew up in a little city in a valley full of nature. He played gymnastics for 9 years, then rugby for 3 years, and still loves them. He worked in the package design industry and in real estate, and then with his wife Allison, he decided to pursue a career in Montessori education.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2023, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan
Elementary Teaching Licence (Japan), 2023, Tamagawa University, Tokyo, Japan
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2024, The Montessori Institute, Denver, USA
Master of Education, 2025, Loyola University, Maryland, USA
Middle School
Emily Dowell
Middle School Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
Emily Dowell grew up in Ontario, Canada and worked as a paediatric nurse prior to her life in Montessori. Emily trained at the 3-6 level, but her passion is adolescence. She attended the NAMTA/AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies and helped establish Strata Montessori Adolescent School in 2011. She has worked in several adolescent communities, including Hershey Montessori’s Farm School. She supports adolescent practitioner development as a lecturer, consultant, and workshop speaker.
Association Montessori International (AMI) Early Childhood (3-6) Diploma, 2015, Foundation for Montessori Education, Toronto, Canada
North American Montessori Association/Association Montessori International (NATMA/AMI) Orientation to Adolescent Studies Certificate, 2011, Ohio, USA
Bachelors of Science in Nursing, B.Sc.N., 2008, McMaster University, Canada
Chris Marks
Middle School Eucalyptus
Chris was initially introduced to the Montessori approach to education through his experiences in peace studies. On the advice of a good friend and Montessorian in Canada, Chris obtained his Casa certificate from the training center in Toronto started by Renilde Montessori. His early experiences with the 3–6 year olds lay the foundation for his commitment to Montessori pedagogy and eventually brought him to his current work of the adolescent.
Chris obtained his Adolescent accreditation at the inaugural AMI Orientation and has been involved with Adolescent work, in several capacities, for the past 13 years. He was a member of the team which designed and implemented a land based program in Ontario, Canada, acting as pedagogical lead, specialist, generalist, director and lead guide throughout his time there. Additionally Chris has been on staff as a lecturer and student advisory to the AMI Adolescent Orientation to Adolescents for several years. Chris has both a Montessori wife, Emily, and daughter (Siddrha), who corroborate, everyday, the power of Dr. Montessori’s remarkable method of transformation.
Association Montessori International (AMI) Early Childhood (3-6) Certificate
Association Montessori International (AMI) Adolescent (12-18) Certificate
Xavier Maréchal
Middle School Eucalyptus
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Certificate Orientation to Adolescent Studies (12-18), 2018, The Montessori Center for Work and Study, Rydet, Sweden
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Elementary Diploma (6-12), 2013, The Washington Montessori Institute, Columbia (MD), USA
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (2.5-6), 2012, The Washington Montessori Institute, Columbia (MD), USA
Master in Education, 2012, Loyola University, Baltimore, USA
PhD in Physics, 1993, Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble, France
Kartika Harsono
Middle School Eucalyptus
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Montessori Orientation Programme to Adolescent Studies, 2016, Queensland, Australia.
Master of Science, 1993, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
Magister Management in Finance, 1997, Prasetiya Mulya Graduate School of Management, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Bachelor of Science in Zoology, 1991, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.
Max Randacher
Music
Max began his musical career learning classical piano and performing live as a singer throughout his childhood. He also taught himself to play the guitar before undertaking a formal study of both jazz piano and jazz guitar. Also a keen vocalist, Max enjoys writing and playing his own music. Max has been teaching various styles of music to children and adults in his native Austria for over 10 years and released his own album 3 years ago.
Diploma for Instrumental Pedagogics, 2008, Vienna Conservatory, Vienna, Austria
Multi-Media Arts Dipl-Ing, 2004, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg, Austria
Vitalii Goncharenko
PE & After School Activities
Before coming to live in Japan, Vitalii played professional basketball in Ukraine and was involved with various sporting organizations. After graduating from college, he taught at a high school in Gunma prefecture for a few years before moving to Malaysia where he coached basketball and ran the athletic program at the UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur. He joined MST in 2016.
PE & Sports Specialist, 2007, National Pedagogical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
PE & Sports B.A., 2006, National Pedagogical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Elizabeth Ogiyama
Librarian
While raising her children in Tokyo, Elizabeth has led cub scout, girl scout, and boy scout troops. She has taught English to Japanese students as well as teaching in international schools, including running a mixed-age pre-school class for 4 years. In 2010 she joined MST’s Little People programme and has worked in the library since 2013. She enjoys community theatre and is involved in both adult and children’s productions.
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Primary Years Programme Certification (International Baccalaureate), 2009
English B.A., 1987, Akron University, Ohio, USA
Shukuko Takeda
Support Coordinator
Shukuko worked for MST between 2003 and 2016 as a Montessori Elementary Teacher and Japanese Curriculum Coordinator. Since then, Shukuko has continued to support MST and also work at other International Schools as a substitute teacher. Before joining MST, she worked at Nursery Schools and Kindergartens in Japan and a Montessori School in Connecticut, USA. Shukuko also has a nursery School Teacher Certification and Japanese Teacher Certification
Master of Education, Cleveland State University, 1990, Ohio, U.S.A.
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Elementary Diploma (6-12), Montessori Teacher Training Center, 1983, Bergamo, Italy
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, 1981, Kanagawa-ken, Japan
Early Childhood Education (Qualified as Kindergarten and Elementary Teacher), Tamagawa University, 1980, Tokyo, Japan
Japan Association of Montessori (JAM) Early Childhood Diploma (2&1/2 - 6), Sophia University, 1978, Tokyo, Japan
Wind Edward Kim
English as an Additional Language &
Marketing and Communications
Wind has over 15 years of experience in teaching English as an additional language, creating curricula, writing and editing textbooks and designing programs for a major educational company. He also has decades of experience in writing and editing and helping students communicate more effectively, in the US, the UK and Japan. After growing up in California, Wind moved to the Pacific Northwest and performed for several dance companies and collaborated in multimedia projects. During this time, he was a researcher studying child psychology. After a decade in the performing arts, he went to graduate school in the UK to study peace and conflict resolution, getting back to his roots in advocating for social justice and environmentalism. In his free time, Wind enjoys exploring new places with his family, instilling in his children a love of adventure, creativity and nature.
Research Methods, PgDip, 2004, University of Bradford, UK
Peace Studies, MA, 2003, University of Bradford, UK
Environmental Studies, and Psychology, BA, 1992, University of California at Santa Cruz, USA
Norma Cabugos
Custodian/Early Childhood Support
Norma has been a part of MST since 2005. In her spare time, Norma enjoys gardening as she loves being surrounded by nature. She also enjoys listening to music and cherishes her time with her friends and family. Her fondest memory is her time spent in Vancouver with her closest friend.
Julieta Rely
Custodian/Early Childhood Support
Julieta has been a member of MST for 13 years. Traveling is a big part of her life, and her dream is to one day travel to Israel and she hopes to accomplish this soon. She enjoys going on road trips with her husband, and also loves to cook for her friends and family.
Candy Wijeyewickrema
Custodian/Elementary Support
Originally from the Philippines, Candy has lived in Japan since 1999. She has a background in environmental technology and management and has worked as a senior research associate at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. She likes to work with children and has held part-time positions in kindergartens and international schools in Tokyo, before joining MST in 2020. Candy is very interested in Montessori education. She has travelled to many countries with one of her most memorable visits being to Vatican City. Candy enjoys cooking, gardening, aerobics, and listening to music.
AMI Montessori 6–12 Orientation (AMI) Montessori 6–12 Orientation, 2021, Association Montessori Internationale
Diploma, 31st International Course for Advanced Research in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, UNESCO-Monbusho Program, 1996, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Management, 1992, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Chemistry, 1987, Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines.
Naoko Kikkawa
Early Childhood Support/Mentor & Sustainability Lead
Naoko has worked for the school since 1993. After gaining many years of experience she decided to learn about the theory behind it all and in March 2002 she completed her Montessori training at an AMI centre in Japan (The Montessori Institute of Tokyo). More recently, she completed a bachelor's in Child Psychology.
Child Psychology B.A., Tokyo Future University, 2013, Tokyo, Japan
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Early Childhood Diploma (3-6), 2002, The Montessori Institute of Tokyo, Kanagawa-ken, Japan.
Secretarial Diploma, 1983, Kanda Institute of Language, Tokyo, Japan
Wesley Lim
Learning Support
Wesley started his career in Special Education in 2015 in Malaysia, working as a Behavioral Therapist in a centre for individuals with autism, before eventually moving to Japan to work as a learning support teaching assistant in an international school in Tokyo. He then worked in a private company that provided learning support services to students across Tokyo, before finally joining MST’s faculty in 2023. Wesley has a Bachelor in Psychology and is currently pursuing his Master in Special & Inclusive Education.
Bachelor of Psychology, 2013, HELP University, Malaysia
Certificate of Achievement: Implementing the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome, 2019, Down Syndrome Education International
Certificate of Achievement: Improving speech and language development for children and young people with Down Syndrome, 2019, Down Syndrome Education International
Special Needs Certificate, Credential: SNC21212233, 2021, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards
- Maria Montessori