LePort Montessori

Ms. Min Hee Lee earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Duksung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea in 1992. Throughout her college education, she was introduced to several aspects of the Montessori method and became particularly interested in the program designed by Dr. Montessori. After receiving a scholarship from her university, she received her AMI diploma from the Montessori Teacher Training Center of Northern California, Mountain View in 1994.

Prior to joining LePort, Ms. Min Hee worked in a university preschool for 8 years. After relocating to the U.S. in 2003, she put her career on hold in order to raise her children. Ms. Min Hee passion for teaching eventually brought her back to classroom, a place that most teachers call their second home.

Outside of work, Ms. Min Hee enjoys reading, taking a walk on a sunny day and spending time with her family.

Ms. Dilusha’s life story reflects a rich blend of cultural experiences and a commitment to education. Born and raised in Sri Lanka, she has a deep connection to her roots. Her educational journey spans both Sri Lanka and the United States, showcasing a diverse and well-rounded academic background. With over 20 years of experience as an Association Montessori Internationale trained teacher Ms. Dilusha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her passion for helping the needy is evident through her active involvement in various charitable organizations. As a mother, Ms. Dilusha not only brings professional expertise but also a personal understanding of the dynamics of raising and nurturing a child into adulthood.

Ms. Dilusha believes in the importance of education and is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for her students. She is known for her patience, creativity, and love for teaching. Her goal is to inspire her students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. As a member of the team at LePort Montessori, Ms. Dilusha’s unique blend of experiences, dedication, and passion for education is sure to leave a lasting imprint on the educational journey of her students.

Ms. Dania was born and raised in Orange County, California. She always wanted to work with young children since she is an older sister. Her journey began in 2017 when she volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at her local church, working with first through third-grade children. She first attended Orange Coast Community College to begin her career in Early Childhood Education. She then graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills and received her Bachelor of Science in Child Development in Spring 2023.
Ms. Dania enjoys learning new things and is excited to learn about Montessori! During her free time, she enjoys making puzzles, playing video games, and engaging with her pet Rango, a bearded dragon.

Ms. Farheen Khan received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pakistan and has earned a certificate in Montessori education from the University of California, Irvine. She also studied early childhood education at Santa Ana College. Ms. Khan completed her AMI Montessori training in the Primary level from the Montessori Institute of San Diego and worked as a Junior Teacher before taking on the role of Head Teacher. Ms. Khan has been with LePort Orchard Hills since it opened has maintained an enthusiasm for the Montessori pedagogy from day one. In her free time, Ms. Kahn enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Yan Long holds an AMI Montessori Assistants to Infancy (age 0-3) certification from Denver and Association Montessori Internationale Montessori Primary (age 2.5-6) certification from Montessori Northwest. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish from Sichuan International Studies University in Chongqing, China. Before joining LePort Montessori, Ms. Yan had 3 years of experience as a lead teacher in a Montessori classroom, and 8 years of experience in childcare and Mandarin tutoring. During the pandemic, she created a Mandarin Immersion Montessori pod in Redwood City, California. Likewise, she spent a year as the lead Mandarin instructor at the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In her free time, Ms. Yan enjoys silk embroidery, gardening, hiking, arts and crafts, yoga, swimming, exploring new foods and new places. Ms. Yan also has an interest in philosophy and literature; her favorite thinkers are Zhuangzi, Maria Montessori (naturally), Piaget, and Jane Austen.

Ms. Malathi was born and raised in India, where she earned her graduate degree from Bharathidasan University. After moving to the United States with her family in 2015, her love for children inspired her to pursue a Certificate in Early Childhood Development from Irvine Valley College. Ms. Malathi finds joy in being around children and firmly believes they represent some of the most meaningful work one can undertake. Currently, she lives in Irvine with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys reading, experimenting with new recipes, and spending quality time with her family.

Ms. Adriana Ramirez was born in Queretaro, Mexico, and raised in Orange County. She loves her culture and visits Mexico often. Her interest in education began in high school, and she was enthusiastic about teaching Elementary. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from California State University Fullerton. She has been working closely with children for many years, in traditional schools and as a behavioral therapist. In 2017 she joined LePort and immediately was fond of the Montessori philosophy. She believes that children can uncover wonders by being curious and that Montessorians will graciously guide that learning experience.
Ms. Adriana enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. In her spare time, she paints, reads, hikes, bakes, and visits museums. She loves being a mother and is thrilled to learn and explore with her son.

Ms. Alejandra Ramirez was born in Orange County, Ca. Growing up, she has always had a passion for working with children. She graduated from Santa Ana College with an Associates Degree in Psychology. She had previously worked as an assistant teacher for her church. Ms. Alejandra loves the Montessori philosophy because she enjoys when the children gain independence and growth. She is currently furthering her education by finishing her Early Childhood Education units at Theoria technical college. In her free time she enjoys spending time at the beach and hiking.

Ms. Ayanthi Ratnayake was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her first experience with Montessori came as a child. She attended the same school where her mother taught primary children. She remembers some of her favorite Montessori materials from childhood: the color boxes and dressing frames. In hindsight, she believes that her experience as a Montessori child has led her to be more flexible in thought and more accepting of others.

Ms. Ayanthi completed her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and worked at a Montessori school and a traditional preschool ever since graduating. She completed her Association Montessori International Diploma at the Montessori Institute of San Diego. In conjunction with her diploma, she earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Montessori from Loyola University Maryland. Ms. Ayanthi feels strongly that the Montessori approach provides a holistic approach towards learning. She loves that each day of working with young children brings new experiences and growth over time. She enjoys working with the staff to strive for academic rigor with their students.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Ayanthi enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures, trying new restaurants, listening to music, shopping, and last but not least, spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Jojo was born and raised in Taiwan. She enjoys learning new things and also likes to learn about Montessori. Ms. Jojo is passionate about Montessori because she knows that this education helps children do things by themselves, encourages a sense of community by helping other younger children, and prioritizes independence. As a mother, Ms. Jojo has some experience with children. A fun fact about her is that her children currently attend our Irvine Mandarin campus. In her free time, Ms. Jojo enjoys hiking, swimming, biking, and baking with her children.