Michelle Hsiung
Center Director
Ms. Michelle Hsiung is deeply passionate about Montessori education. Her journey began in 2008 when she earned her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Certificate from the Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD).
Driven by a clear vision, Ms. Hsiung set out to create a Montessori school where she would feel confident sending her own child. In October 2012, Children's World Bilingual Montessori School (CWBM) opened its doors.
Through collaborative efforts with her team, CWBM earned recognition as an AMI Montessori School in 2015. This recognition assures families that their child's Montessori environment is authentic.
Ms. Michelle further solidified her expertise with a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Montessori Education, from the University of Hartford.
Pratima Joshi
Primary Team
Pratima Joshi became a valued member of our family in 2013. Prior to her role on the Primary Team at CWBM, she served as a preschool teacher. Pratima holds credentials in Early Childhood Education and is certified as an Assistant Teacher by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Her presence in the classroom is marked by a calm, compassionate, and gentle demeanor. Pratima is dedicated to collaborating with parents, fostering a nurturing family-like atmosphere for children. She firmly believes that it is within such a loving environment that children can thrive, feeling secure and free to expand their creativity while expressing themselves fully.
Kari Huang
Primary Team
Ms. Kari has over 15 years of hands-on experience in early childhood education and is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Before joining Children’s World Bilingual Montessori School, she taught children ages 2–6 at a Montessori preschool in Fremont. She earned her AMS Montessori Credential in 2024 and is also certified by the Association for Child Development & Education International in Orff Music, a developmental approach to music education created by German composer Carl Orff.
In her free time, Ms. Kari enjoys painting, especially with acrylics and watercolors. Her teaching philosophy is: “Education is nothing but love and patience.”
Heather Chou
Primary Team
Miss Heather has a bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, she brings a unique skill set. Prior to joining us, she gained valuable experience as a student-teacher at the Head Start Preschool Program and SJSU Preschool Lab.
Passionate about teaching, Miss Heather dedicates herself to inspiring children's love of learning and their interest in a second language. She wholeheartedly embraces the Montessori philosophy, emphasizing self-sufficiency from a young age to foster high self-esteem.
Teresa Chang
Toddler Team
Ms. Teresa has been a dedicated teacher since 2013, bringing a decade of passion and commitment to child development. Her love for children and strong faith have driven her remarkable career.
With a background in child development, Ms. Teresa has deep insights into children's needs. She shares her knowledge through Sunday school teaching, going beyond her professional role.
Ms. Teresa's warm and nurturing approach has endeared her to both children and parents. Her faith guides her actions, creating an environment of kindness.
Erika Aspiras
Toddler Team
Ms. Erika, a valued member of the CWBM team since 2017, is a graduate of California State University East Bay, where she majored in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood. She has earned the prestigious Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Infants & Toddlers Certificate from the Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD).
Outside her commitment to early childhood education, Ms. Erika enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring new culinary experiences in the Bay Area. She firmly believes that "It takes a big heart to shape little minds," demonstrating her dedication to fostering the growth and development of young learners, each of whom holds a special place in her heart.
Vivian Shi
Toddler Team
Ms. Vivian earned her education degree and teaching credential from Shanghai Normal University in China. After moving to the U.S., she completed a master’s degree in taxation at Golden Gate University and worked at Stanford University.
After the birth of her second child, she discovered her true passion, teaching. Since 2016, Ms. Vivian has been teaching Mandarin at Hwa Shin Chinese School, serving students from Redwood City and Menlo Park. She enjoys guiding children academically and in developing life virtues.
A proud mother of two sons, Ms. Vivian enjoys gardening, playing piano, ballet, and practicing Zen meditation in her spare time.
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