Ms. Jackie Alderiso was born in Taiwan and raised in Taiwan and South Africa. She is fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese and English. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. In addition, she has always enjoyed experiencing and learning new things and therefore also studied music, business and theater production during her college years.
Ms. Alderiso’s early childhood education experience started in 2007 with a group of elementary children in an English learning center in Taiwan. Since then, she continued working with children ages 1.5 to 13 in various school settings, including Montessori schools, bilingual schools, English and Mandarin immersion schools, public schools, play-based schools and language learning centers.
Through her many years working in different school settings, she found her true passion in Montessori education. She observed how children enjoyed working in Montessori classrooms and is still fascinated about how children progress within a Montessori environment. Ms. Alderiso received both her Association Montessori Internationale Primary certificate and Elementary certificate at the Montessori Institute of San Diego.
After teaching for 13 years, she stepped into educational leadership roles, focusing on teacher and parent coaching, program development and school administration. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, playing instruments and spending time with her loved ones and her cats- Lala and Picasso.

Ms. Lina Chen Laoshi is originally from Beijing, China, and is a native Mandarin speaker. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Science and Technology Beijing and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Child Psychology. With over two years of experience in early childhood education and Montessori 0–3 certification training, she brings both professional knowledge and personal dedication to her work. Her own parenting journey inspired her passion for Montessori education, where she values each child’s unique path and is committed to fostering a nurturing, respectful environment that builds confidence and independence. She looks forward to partnering with families to support their children’s growth and development.

Ms. Suet Chow received her Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement with an Infant/Toddler Emphasis from Irvine Valley College. Her past work experiences include running a licensed family childcare in her community for ten years. She also worked at another Montessori school in Irvine as an Assistant Teacher in the toddler class for four years. Ms. Suet joined LePort in September of 2008 and worked as a Toddler Assistant Teacher at the Irvine Westpark campus until the Irvine Mandarin campus opened. Ms. Suet completed her Association Montessori Internationale teacher training for the 0 to 3 age group at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. She loves working with children. She believes childhood is a time of natural creativity and curiosity, and a time to motivate children in a positive way and encourage them to discover, learn, and grow. Ms. Chow is excited at the opportunity of teaching the Montessori program she loves in her native Chinese language, equipping children with the foundation for joyful learning and giving them the gift of bilingualism.

Other than working with children, Ms. Chow also enjoys watching dramas and doing arts and crafts. Her idea of a perfect weekend consists of relaxing, having a cup of coffee, reading in the morning, shopping, and spending time with family.

Ms. Debby Chueh graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development. In 2013 she received her Montessori Primary certificate from Capital Education Institute. Ms. Chueh was born and spent the majority of her childhood in Taiwan. She is fluent in both Mandarin and English. Before she joined the LePort family, she worked in different schools, including a Chinese immersion school. Outside of the classroom, she likes to read educational books, watch dramas, and cook.

After becoming a mother, Ms. Gu’s interest in child development grew, especially after seeing her own child thrive in a Montessori environment. Inspired by his growth and joyful learning, she discovered her passion for working with children. After working for three years in a Primary classroom, she completed her AMS Montessori Primary Training. Ms. Gu is dedicated to supporting each child’s progress in all areas of development.

Ms. Maria received her American Montessori Society certificate at Capital Education in 2018. Her past work experiences include working as a special education teacher at Yorba Linda/Placentia school district. She also has worked at other Montessori schools in Fullerton and Laguna Niguel as a lead Teacher and Spanish Immersion teacher in the primary classroom for four years. Ms. Maria joined LePort in 2013.

Ms. Grace Li grew up in China and earned her Master’s degree in Mathematics from Beijing Normal University. She began her career at LePort in 2022, and in 2025, she received her American Montessori Society (AMS) certification.
With over 13 years of experience in education, she has worked with children of various ages and backgrounds. For the past five years, she has focused on early childhood education, where she has discovered her true passion. She believes every child has a unique rhythm of development, and she is committed to honoring each child’s individuality through patience, thoughtful observation, and gentle guidance, helping them grow with confidence, develop independence, and find joy in learning.
Outside the classroom, Li Laoshi enjoys cooking, staying active, and going on nature hikes with her son. She is excited to continue sharing the joy of learning with the children and families in the LePort community.

Ms. Yuan Li was born and raised in Kunming, China. Ms. Li is a fluent Mandarin speaker with a lifelong passion for learning. She holds a Bachelor’s in Finance from Yunnan Normal University and a Master’s in Computer Science from Xiamen University.
Her career began in finance, but becoming a mother inspired her to dedicate herself to early childhood education. She earned certifications as a Lactation Consultant and in Positive Discipline for ages 0–6, and both her children’s positive experiences in Montessori schools deepened her commitment to the Montessori philosophy.
In 2025, Ms. Li completed AMI Montessori training in Connecticut and is now pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori focus. In the classroom, she blends her Mandarin expertise with a warm, respectful approach, fostering a joyful space for exploration and growth. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, hiking, movies, pour-over coffee, and sharing Chinese culture with her community.

Ms. Lisa Li earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Wuhan University in 2000 and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology, expected to complete in 2027. She is a licensed pharmacy technician in California and has also owned and run her own business in China. Ms. Li grew up in China and speaks Mandarin and English. Drawn by her passion for working with young children, she completed 12 units in Early Childhood Education and began working as an Assistant Teacher in the T1 classroom at LePort in 2025. She brings a warm presence and a welcoming smile to the classroom every day, and enjoys helping each child feel supported as they grow. In her free time, Ms. Li enjoys reading and traveling.

Ms. Lynn is AMI-trained at both the Primary (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12) levels and has over 18 years of experience working in Montessori environments. Born and raised in Taiwan, she is fluent in Mandarin and English and brings a strong cross-cultural perspective to her work with children and families.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Washington State University and a Master of Education in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland. She completed her AMI Primary training at the Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2010 and her AMI Elementary training in Denver in 2025. She also holds certificates in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language).
Ms. Lynn began her Montessori career at LePort Westpark, where she worked from 2008 to 2019. She believes that a thoughtfully prepared environment, along with a caring and prepared adult, helps children feel secure, make independent choices, and develop confidence and a strong sense of self.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Lynn enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and exploring the world—experiences that continue to enrich her work as an educator.

Yifan Liu is an Assistant Teacher in our P4 class. She recently graduated with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Education (TESOL) from Harding University, where she maintained a perfect GPA of 4.00. She has training in second language acquisition, instructional methods, and cross-cultural education, with a strong interest in supporting diverse learners.
She brings excellent communication skills, strong organization, and a thoughtful approach to supporting children’s learning and development. Yifan is excited to apply her education background in a Montessori classroom setting and contribute to a positive and engaging learning environment for the primary children.

Ms. Lizzie Liu was born in China and raised in Southern California, attending middle school and high school right here in Irvine. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art from UC Santa Barbara and later completed Early Childhood Education coursework at Irvine Valley College.
Her love for working with young children began early, nurturing younger children around her even as a child herself. In 2014, she became one of the founding staff members of the Irvine Mandarin campus. After a decade in the early childhood education field, she was excited to return to Irvine Mandarin as part of the administrative team, reconnecting with one of her first passions: Mandarin immersion.
Whether speaking Mandarin with her two children at home or interacting with students on campus, Ms. Liu treasures the opportunity to witness the wonder and beauty of language immersion in action. Outside of work, she enjoys baking treats, photography, reading, and watching dramas.

Ms. Trina Zhang has been a member of our LePort Mandarin campus community since early 2016. She earned her Association Montessori Internationale diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. She also received a certificate in child development from Imperial Valley College.

Ms. Zhang grew up in Singapore and in the past has worked in investment banking as well as for Knight Frank as a real estate broker. She later earned a diploma in special education. Ms. Zhang previously lived in Tokyo for a few years as well as other major cities. In Chicago, she studied art and attended Ray College of Design. She also spent time in New York City, where she earned a computer business diploma from Drake Business School.

Ms. Zhang has been working with children in preschools for more than ten years. Prior to joining LePort, she worked for the Imperial County Office of Education and Kids R Us (Early Care & Education Programs). Her aim is to guide each child to reach their fullest potential. In her spare time, she enjoys arts and crafts, cooking, gardening and music.

Ms. Maggie Qiu is an Assistant Teacher at LePort Montessori. She has completed Early Childhood Education coursework and continues to deepen her understanding of Montessori philosophy and child development. Prior to joining LePort, she worked as a classical guitar teacher for many years, guiding children of different ages through individualized music instruction. Her experience helped children develop confidence, concentration, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for learning. Ms. Qiu also has supervisory experience in the hospitality industry, which strengthened her communication, organization, and collaboration skills. She is known for her warm smile, gentle guidance, and patient approach, and she enjoys helping every child grow in independence, confidence, and kindness.

Ms. Jenny Xia has been part of the Montessori community for many years and currently serves at our Irvine Mandarin campus. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Central Conservatory of Music and has completed 12 Early Childhood Education units at De Anza College. She also completed Montessori teacher training through Montessori Greenhouse in Garden Grove.
Ms. Xia brings warmth, patience, and a caring presence to the classroom. She enjoys supporting young children as they grow in confidence, independence, and joy for learning.

Ms. Michelle Xu Laoshi is originally from China and is fluent in Mandarin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Han Language and Literature from the University of Ji Nan and an Associate of Science degree in Child Development from Irvine Valley College, along with a Montessori Fundamentals certificate. Since 2003, she has been teaching Mandarin to children of various ages in language schools across Irvine, giving her a deep understanding of how language learning progresses throughout childhood. Ms. Xu joined LePort in 2015 and is passionate about incorporating Chinese culture into her teaching while supporting each child’s individual growth. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, yoga, playing instruments, and spending time with her family.