Executive Director

“The children of Nia House are the hope and the promises of peaceful leadership and represent the evolution of learning and teaching.  I find daily inspiration and joy from the Nia House children and through observations of their independent and collaborative community growth and unique perspectives.”

Educational Background:

St. Catherine University, M.A. Ed.; Connecticut College, B.A.;  Montessori Teacher Education Center (Cal State East Bay), A.M.S. Certification

Nia House:

Director 2009-Present, Head Teacher 2003-2009, Teacher 2001-2003

Assistant Director

“At Nia House, I find a promise of peace through a diverse teaching team and parent community who come together with respect for one another and a reverence for children.  The children are empowered problem solvers, leaders and lovers of learning.”

Educational Background:
San Francisco State University, M.A. Ed.; Sonoma State University, B.A.; Montessori Teacher Education Center (Cal State East Bay), Montessori Education

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher 2010-2016

Assistant Director 2015-Present

Head Teacher – Primary

“At Nia House, I find a community where teachers and parents collaborate with children as equal partners, charting growth and development, and allowing children to follow their own cosmic plan.”

Educational Background: 

Spelman College, B.A.; Montessori Teacher Education Center, Contra Costa College, A.M.S Credential

Nia House: 

Head Teacher 2009-Present, Assistant Teacher 2005-2009

Head Teacher - Toddlers

"I find that a few of the many joys of teaching is observing children as they embark on their journeys of self discovery, and as they actualize their potentials. At Nia House I am very fortunate to be working along side a staff of kind, and passionate individuals who are so dedicated to children, families and the greater community. I value Nia House's thoughtful application of Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy, and that Nia House, in partnership with children and families, cultivates an atmosphere of respect, concern for others, autonomy, and love."

Educational Background:

St. Mary's College, Montessori ECE Credential

University of California, Berkeley, B.A. Sociology

Contra Costa College, CA Master Teacher Credential

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher January - June 2016

Head Teacher- Toddlers June 2016- Present

Head Teacher – Primary

Educational Background:

Academy of Art University, B.F.A. 2012; Early Childhood Credential Course, Montessori Teacher Education Center, Sunnyvale, 2015 

Nia House: 

Student Intern 2014-2015

Assistant Teacher 2016-2017

Head Teacher 2017-present

Assistant Teacher – Primary

Educational Background:

Nia House:

Assistant Teacher 2009-Present

Assistant Lead Teacher – Primary

Educational Background:

Contra Costa College, A.S. in Early Childhood Education, American Montessori and A.A. in sociology

Nia House:

Assistant Teacher 2017-Present

Assistant Lead Teacher – Primary

"I love the independence and consideration oneself and others that Nia House encourages in children."

Educational Background:

University of California, Davis, B.S. in Human Development

City College of San Francisco Early Child Development, A.M.S Credential

Nia House:

Assistant Teacher 2015-Present

Assistant Teacher - Toddlers

“I value the diverse group of children and the family-like support and stability of the teachers and parents year after year.”

Educational Background:

Merritt College, A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Preschool Administration Certificate

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher 1999-Present

Office Manager

Nia House: Office Manager July 2021

Assistant Teacher – Primary

Educational Background:

University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A. in Community Studies

Berkeley City College Early Child Development

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher 2021-Present

Head Teacher – Toddlers

Educational Background:

Colgate University, B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and Educational Studies

Merritt College Early Child Development

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher 2022

Assistant Teacher – Toddlers

Assistant Teacher - Primary

Educational Background: University of California Santa Cruz, B.S. in Psychology

Nia House: Assistant Teacher 2022

Assistant Teacher - Toddlers

Educational Background:

Merritt College, A.A. in Early Childhood Education,

Nia House: 

Assistant Teacher 2022

Assistant Teacher - Floater

Assistant Teacher - Primary

Educational Background: California State University, Fresno , M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling; California State University, Fresno, B.A.; Montessori Teacher Education Center (Cal State East Bay), Montessori Education

Nia House:  Assistant Teacher 2023

Assistant Teacher - Primary

“I'm passionate about teaching young children because it's a unique opportunity to inspire and shape the future. Their boundless curiosity, creativity, and eagerness to learn makes every day in the classroom an exciting adventure. Nia House has a glorious history of Montessori teaching young children for almost a half a century now. I feel very blessed to work with such an amazing organization and am looking forward to further enhance my Montessori teaching skills by collaboration with my amazing fellow teachers!

Educational Background: Merritt College, Early Childhood Education, Tribhuvan University, Masters in Business Administration

Nia House: Assistant Teacher 2023

Monica served on the Nia House Board of Directors from 2017-21

Educational Background: Doctor of Law (JD), American University Washington College of Law, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Public Relations

Current Employment: Management Analyst Superior Court of California  

“I am a former Board member who strongly believes in Nia House’s mission to bring together children of diverse backgrounds and I want to help it to operate in accordance with that mission and ensure its sustainability”

Treasurer and Parent Representative

Educational background: UC Berkeley MBA with Sustainable Business emphasis; University of Florida, BS Chemical Engineering

Current Employment: Climate Tech startup advisor and consultant for Aepnus Technologies, Mars Materials and Intropic Materials. My Climate Journey Community Organizer. UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Sustainability Alumni Group VP.

Staff Representative

Assistant Lead Teacher – Primary

"I love the independence and consideration oneself and others that Nia House encourages in children."

Educational Background:

University of California, Davis, B.S. in Human Development

City College of San Francisco Early Child Development, A.M.S Credential

Nia House:

Assistant Teacher 2015-Present

Educational Background: Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, Two years Masters level program in Brand Strategy & Design at Miami Ad School, Atlanta.

“Each morning when I drop Zeenat off at her Primary North classroom, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be part of this community. I am moved by the dedication, knowledge, and care the teaching staff bring to our children every day. I would love the opportunity to continue engaging more deeply with the school and support its mission in meaningful ways.”

Educational Background: Bachelors of Arts at New England Conservatory of Music

Current Employment: Executive Director of Young Musicians Choral Orchestra

Educational background: UC Berkeley MBA, Master of Arts in International Business & Law, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
Current Employment: Operations Lead at Snag Solutions

“From day one, I’ve been deeply grateful for the thoughtful, loving environment Nia House provides, and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute more deeply as a finance board member.”

Educational Background: Architecture & Urban Planning at Howard University

Current Employment: Senior Project Manager in the Education and Facilities Sector at Cordoba Corporation