The Northwest Montessori Leadership Team

 

Executive Director of Governing Board

Dr. Teruni Lamberg

Dr. Teruni Lamberg began her teaching career at Northwest Montessori, working with preschool and elementary students, and brings over 30 years of experience as a teacher, professor, and education leader. She currently serves as Professor and Program Coordinator for Elementary Education and STEM in the College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. A nationally recognized educator and author of seven books — including Sparking the Math Brain for parents — she is devoted to helping every child discover joy, confidence, and curiosity in learning while carrying forward the strong Montessori tradition at Northwest Montessori.

Director

Misbah Ali Hemani

Ms. Misbah Ali Hemani brings over 30 years of Montessori experience to Northwest Montessori House of Children. She holds an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) diploma, a Master’s degree in Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Known for her gentle nature, deep love for children, and passion for teaching, Ms. Ali has dedicated her career to helping students discover and reach their fullest potential. Her trust in her team and her steadfast commitment to the Montessori philosophy have created a nurturing environment where every child is encouraged to learn at their own pace in a setting that feels both welcoming and familiar.

Her long-standing dedication has earned her the respect and affection of faculty, parents, and students alike, making her a beloved leader in the Northwest Montessori community.

Assistant Director

Hannah Bowman

 Ms. Hannah Bowman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and English at the University of Texas at Austin. After serving two years in AmeriCorps with Communities in Schools and the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ms. Hannah found herself drawn toward early childhood education and joined Northwest Montessori in July of 2015 as an Assistant Teacher. Soon after, Hannah started working in the office as an Administrator, assisting with school programming and enrollment. Throughout the years, Ms. Hannah has helped build a science program at Northwest Montessori called Science Time!, incorporating hands-on science experiments in all classrooms. Ms. Hannah continues to support staff, parents, and students in her new role as Assistant Director.
 
Office Manager

Christine Willems

 Ms. Christine Willems has been a valued member of Northwest Montessori since 2015, shortly after earning her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from St. Edward’s University. Drawn to early childhood education, she pursued her Montessori certification and quickly became an integral part of the school.

Ms. Christine began as an assistant teacher in Ms. Ali’s classroom, later serving as Lead Teacher before transitioning to Administrative Assistant. As of 2025, she is Office Manager and teaches science to the 4–6-year-old class, inspiring curiosity through hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and engaging activities that help children explore the natural world and develop a love for discovery.

Outside of work, Ms. Christine enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and caring for her fish. Her dedication, warmth, and love of learning continue to enrich the Northwest Montessori community.