Our Class Guides
Mrs. Tatiana Ilmova
Head of School
Degrees and Experience
Tatiana Ilmova is one of the founders who worked hard to open Isla Montessori School in 2018. As a person with a background in Psychology, Tatiana has always admired the Montessori method of education. All her kids always attended Montessori schools.
Being an active promoter of Montessori education, Tatiana believes in the mission and values that Isla Montessori School carries out into the island community. In 2022 Tatiana completed AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) course for Administrators.
Tatiana is the mother of three beautiful daughters who are 18 years old, 9 years old, and 2,5 years old (two of them were born on Saipan). Tatiana and her family have lived on Saipan since 2009. She has two master's degrees – her first master's degree with honor is in Psychology and the second is in International Relations. In 2012, she established and led to success the First Russian School – a language school teaching Russian language, culture, and the history of Russia to students of any age and level. In 2021 her language school signed a contract with the Saint-Petersburg State University which will provide students an opportunity to get a certificate from one of the biggest state universities in Russia as a recognition of their level of Russian language mastery on an international level.
Dedication to the local Community
Since Tatiana moved to Saipan in 2009 all her life has been related to this beautiful Island! During these years Tatiana has been an active member of the island community. She has served terms as a Board of Directors member of two non-profit schools and was a member of the Saipan Soroptimists Organization. She is currently an active member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.
Tatiana regularly participates in local festivals such as the Flame Tree Festival and the Taste of Marianas Festival with her artworks (Mosaic from ceramic tiles, crochet toys, and jewelry).
Ms. Susan Book
Curriculum Coordinator
Degrees and Certifications
Susan Book has an Interdisciplinary degree in Montessori Education, art therapy, and psychology. Her thesis was on Montessori and art therapy with special needs children. She also graduated with an AMI (Association Montessori International) Primary Teacher training certificate from the Montessori Institute Northwest. She added certification for Lower Elementary in 2015.
Miss Susan has eighteen years of classroom teaching as a fully trained and certified AMI Montessori Guide. Thirteen of those years are as a Guide on Saipan. She also holds an ashtanga yoga, and maya yoga teacher training certificates.
Susan taught Primary (ages 3-6) at Countryside Montessori, Northbrook, Illinois from 2002 - 2005, and at Brilliant Star, Saipan from 2005 – 2015 as a primary guide, substitute, and lower elementary guide. Since 2015 she has been teaching in Lower Elementary (ages 6-9).
Her Educational Journey
Susan began her studies at the University of Iowa as an English Education major, and pursued graphic design and art degrees, as well. Art school prompted a move to Portland, Oregon where Susan attended Marylhurst University. It was while in Oregon that she expanded her interests into art therapy.
Photo courtesy of Diana Silveira
https://www.nakedeyephotography.net
While studying psychology she discovered Maria Montessori’s approach to education and how it fits a child’s natural developmental learning style. She also discovered that Montessori worked with many of the leaders in developing art therapy and those who influenced modern-day psychology.
It was to her delight that the Montessori Institute Northwest hosted an information night on Montessori education. She was hooked and even more excited to find that MINW had a cooperative teacher training program with Marylhurst University.
Born to Teach: Dedicated to Saipan
Susan came from a family of teachers who devoted their time to educating and sharing their culture with others and making sure that their children were global citizens.
Saipan has been her home for 13 years. She has two children age 5 and 7, born in Saipan, and lives in the village of upper Santa Lourdes. She feels strongly that her children and all the children of Saipan should be surrounded by, and enriched with, the culture of their island as a daily practice. She is also an advocate for children with special needs, as her own daughter faces those challenges.
Susan’s commitment to children extends beyond the classroom. She actively supports after school activities and involvement in community events.
Children are my favorite humans. I enjoy their energy, passion, sense of humor, inquisitiveness, and high morals. I love being their guide and helping them become the best version of themselves, not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The foundation of my classroom is always based on kindness, respect, and being responsible for your choices.
I have my Bachelor of Science in Business Management, but I received that after many years of taking a plethora of classes trying to figure out “what I wanted to be when I grew up.” When I found Montessori, I knew it was what I was searching for all along. Maria Montessori said that guides should be a jack of all trades and a master of none. After learning this, I was happy that I took all those courses! I received my AMI Montessori training from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta. I have over 10 years of experience in Montessori. I have had the privilege to work in primary, lower elementary, and upper elementary classrooms. I started my Montessori journey in my daughter’s school as the garden teacher where I guided the children to independently care for the garden, our chickens, and the wildlife. I then taught botany classes to the upper elementary students. After I received my Montessori Certification, I taught lower elementary for 4 years and then moved on to teach upper elementary. I feel very privileged to be on this journey with so many amazing little humans and am beyond thrilled to continue it at Isla Montessori School.
Ms. Kimberly Morgan
Elementary Program Guide
I am a philosopher of life, a wanderer of the world, a lover of nature, a friend to all animals, and a lifelong learner. My father was in the Navy which allowed me to live in many different places. One of my favorite places was Guam. I was very young, but it left such an impression that I still have vivid memories that fill my soul with peace and happiness.
Coming to teach in Saipan feels like I am coming home in a way, and I am so honored and grateful to be a part of Isla Montessori’s community. Being a Montessori guide is not just a career but my mission and my small way I can make a positive impact in our world now and in the future.
Ms. Pazlee Martinez
Children's House Guide
Degrees and Experience
Pazlee (Paz) Martinez, who has a passion for early education, was delighted to join Isla Montessori initially as a guide assistant before taking over the Children’s House as lead guide. Paz was born and raised in Saipan and looks forward to giving back to the community that has given her so much.
Paz has obtained an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with an Education Emphasis from the Northern Marianas College. A degree she is using as the basis to obtain her Montessori certificate. Paz has experience working within the CNMI Public School System, including time as a student mentor and tutor. Drawing upon this mentoring experience, Paz joined the Project Proa mentor team at the Northern Marianas College. Project Proa aims to increase the opportunity of success for indigenous students at the Northern Marianas College through mentoring, tutoring, community participation, and overall engagement of students
Committed to Saipan Community
Isla Montessori’s Mission resonates with Pazlee. Through the Montessori education framework at Isla Montessori, Paz inspires young children to have a passion for learning and appreciate the beauty of our island while building strong foundations to base their future on. Isla also plans to play a role in reviving and nurturing the Island’s native cultures, the Chamorros and the Carolinians. This will give many opportunities for the children, staff, and local people from a wide variety of backgrounds to interact with one another.
Ms. Leikita Ilesugmal S. Maliuyaf
Children's House Co-Teacher
Ms. Lei was born and raised here on the island of Saipan. She is currently a student at Northern Marianas College and pursuing an associate's degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social Work, She aspires to be a future child specialist. Ms. Lei joined Isla Montessori in 2022 as a teacher assistant and grow to co-teacher for Children's House. In March 2023 she is completing Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Training Program from NAMC (North American Montessori Center) and receive her Diploma.
Be Part of an Authentic Montessori Team
Isla Montessori offers a qualty authentic Montessori education that also specializes in the two primary island cultures, Chamorro and Carolinian.
At this time, there are no current positions available at Isla. However, if you think you might want to be part of a passionate and dedicated team, please submit your resume and a cover letter along with 3 references. We will keep your information on file for future consideration. These documents can be emailed to us at info@islamontessori.org.
We look forward to hearing from you!