Faculty and Staff
Trinity Montessori Education Center (TMEC) is a highly acclaimed teacher education program delivered by experienced Montessori specialists from Ireland and the U.S.
JUNLI （Annie）Wen
Instructor
JUNLI (ANNIE) WEN directs the TMEC Program with a clear vision of the future and a passion for preparing Montessori teachers to implement the best Montessori practices in China. Her vast experience as a Montessori educator in the United States and China propels the vision to provide Montessori teachers and school leaders training to become notable Montessori leaders in China. Annie holds a Bachelor of Management from Henan University of Science and Technology, an AMS Montessori Early Childhood credential from New England Montessori Teacher Education Center, Newton, Massachusetts, USA, an ONM (0-3) Shanghai Credential and is AMS Instructor Academy enrolled. Her experience includes Montessori teacher, program supervisor, academic supervisor and parent educator, which provides her the possibility to have various reflections on the challenges of the Montessori practice. Her bilingual skills and understanding of the Chinese culture unite instructors and adult learners through collaboration, which improves understanding of the Montessori philosophy, implements the dynamic curriculum and is sensitive to the best ways to support the Chinese culture's underpinnings. Annie instructs in the Early Childhood courses.
Mary MacIntosh
Instructor
Mary MacIntosh has a comprehensive understanding of Montessori philosophy and practice, which she brings to her work in Montessori education and school leadership. Mary served as an Educational Director and Head of School in Virginia and Illinois, USA. She founded, directs and instructs in the AMS Virginia Center for Montessori Teacher Education program and is an instructor for the Montessori Leadership course offered by the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE), Princeton, NJ, USA. She was an American Montessori Society Board member. She has assumed committee responsibilities for the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and served as a member and team leader for teacher education program accreditation. She readily volunteers in her local community seeking opportunities to contribute to improving the conditions for children. She holds an AMI Montessori Early Childhood credential and a Masters in Special Education and postgraduate work in Early Childhood and School Administration.
Jeff Keiser
Instructor
JEFF KEISER brings many years as an Early Childhood and Infant and Toddler Montessori teacher which adds practical experience to the many leadership opportunities he has assumed over the years - Head of School, Montessori instructor and supervisor, university instructor. Jeff believes that one of the best ways to implement effective Montessori pedagogy and curriculum is accomplished when teachers understand children's developmental stages and take time to observe and connect with the child's innate drive to learn. Jeff holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from Seton Montessori Institute, a B.S. in Sociology from Arizona State University, and a Master's in Education from Concordia University, Chicago, Il. He is noted for his ability to analyze curriculum and construct online courses. The TMEC adult learners in the Infant and Toddler and Early Childhood courses will enjoy Jeff's ability to bring them to a deeper understanding of how the design of the Montessori curriculum and philosophical principles meet the insatiable needs of children to think, seek to be independent, and express their innermost needs and desires.
KAREN MITU-DELEON
Instructor
KAREN MITU-DELEON is a passionate Montessori teacher with a track record of delivering high-quality care and learning opportunities to children of diverse multi-cultural backgrounds in China, the Netherlands Antilles, and the Philippines. Karen has demonstrated an ability to cultivate and maintain positive and productive relationships with educational parents, students, administrators, and the community. Karen holds an AMS Early Childhood credential from Lakeview Montessori Teachers’ Education Program, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, and an Infant and Toddler credential from Trinity Montessori Education Center, a Masters’ degree in Special Education, University of the Philippines, Philippines, a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, UERM Memorial Medical Centre, Philippines, and a Masters’ Degree in Montessori Education, St. Catherine’s University, Minnesota, USA. She is currently enrolled in the Instructor’s Academy offered by the American Montessori Society. Karen is an instructor and field consultant in the Early Childhood course.
HANNAH SHAYNE
Instructor
HANNAH SHAYNE BELDIA started working as a Casa dei Bambini (3-6 years old) directress after receiving her Montessori training at Montessori Training Institute (RTI), Mumbai, India. Her Montessori career began in Singapore and later moved to the Hong Kong campus of the school, where she spent four brilliant years in this Cantonese speaking area.
Hannah holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and an AMI early childhood education qualification. She is currently a MSS lead Teacher and a instructor in early childhood education courses for children aged 3-6.
Tina Zhou
Instructor
Tina Zhou is a master Toddler teacher at the Montessori School of Shanghai. She was a professional ballet dancer and started her Montessori career as a ballet dancing teacher. In 2011, she received her AMS 0-3 Infant &Toddler credential from Seton Montessori Institute, Chicago and has been working with infants and toddlers since then. Her cross-cultural experience and expertise in art and dance are unique in a Chinese Montessori classroom.
CINDY WEIHER
Instructor
CINDY WEIHER is known best for her many years of experience as an outstanding Toddler teacher. Today, she shares her knowledge with adult learners in the USA and China. Her depth of understanding of the Montessori philosophy allows her to share practical and inviting ways to engage young children in the critical beginning years. Cindy enjoys interacting with adult learners to provide them the support and knowledge to become mindful Montessori teachers. Helping adult learners understand the importance of assisting children in independence and autonomy is emphasized in her instruction of adult learners. One of her most recent ventures was the development of a Parent-Toddler program in Ohio. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts from Goddard College, the USA, and an AMS Infant and Toddler credential from, Meca-Seton, Claredon Hills, IL, USA. Cindy instructs in the Infant and Toddler course.
LIPING (ECHO) SHEN
Instructor
LIPING (ECHO) SHEN will guide adult learners dive into three modules of the Infant and Toddler Program, which includes Environmental Design, Observation and CFC. Echo holds a Bachelor's degree in Pre-school Education, a Master’s in Business Administration, and is getting her PhD. in Education Management. She also holds AMS Infant and Toddler, AMS Early Childhood and PIKLER international qualifications. With her 18 years experience in Montessori education, Echo has assumed her role as a lead teacher, a principal, a child education program CEO and an educator. She is currently an AMS Infant and Toddler teacher education program coordinator, instructor, field consultant and the contact person for the AMS China New Leadership Program. Echo brings many years of experience in the classroom, school administration and professional training by connecting the theories with the real practice. Adult learners will be guided to discover, observe, reflect, analyze and summarize from their practice to achieve continuous professional growth.
Julie Zhu
Instructor
Julie Zhu holds a Bachelor's degree in History and an AMS Early Childhood Certification. She has been working as an educator for about 20 years and is currently serving as a coordinator, an instructor and a field consultant for our AMS Early Childhood program. After finishing her Early Chilhood Montessori training at EMTTA in Beijing, she started working as a lead teacher in Montessori classrooms for over ten years. Julie loves children and always knows the best way to initiate more effective parent involvment in her practice. She has years of experience in observing children, preparing the environment, managing classrooms, and collaborating with families.
Bobby Wang
Instructor
Bobby Wang is an Occupational Therapist at the Redwood Development Center at the Montessori School of Shanghai, China. His focus is in the development of cognition and intelligence, fine motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor integration, emotional and social skills and living skills. He holds a degree from Chung Shan Medical University School of Occupational Therapy in Taiwan.
Lisa Wu
Translators
Lisa Wu is the translator for the TMEC program. She ensures the accuracy of the translation and maintain the integrity of the context during the translation of lectures and assignments throughout the course and also supports the Adult Learners who require professional assistance in finishing their assignments. Lisa has a Master in translation theory and practice from the University College London.
Field Consultants provide a vital support role to the adult learner’s development by guiding and advising the adult learner throughout the practicum year. The visits are not critiques, but opportunities to provide evaluative feedback and mentoring. The Field Consultant provides an understanding of the practical application of the philosophy in a working classroom. The Field Consultant holds an Early Childhood Montessori credential and a minimum of a BA degree and a minimum of 3 years Montessori teaching experience.
Supervising and Mentor Teachers provide mentoring to the adult learner. During the practicum phase from September to end of May, adult learners will be assigned a supervising or mentor teacher to work with on a daily basis. This consistent role model provides opportunities for the adult learner. The Supervising and Mentor Teachers holds a Montessori credential from AMI, AMS, or St. Nicholas (Ireland) Level 8. BA (Honors) program or a MACTE accreditation.