Isla Montessori School
Guiding Children as They Navigate the World
Our Staff
Tatiana Ilmova
Head of School
Degrees and Experience
Ms. Tatiana is one of the founders who worked hard to open Isla Montessori School in 2018. As a person with a background in Psychology, Ms. Tatiana has always admired the Montessori method of education. All of her kids have attended Montessori schools and her two youngest are enrolled at Isla.
Being an active promoter of Montessori education, Ms. Tatiana believes in the mission and values that Isla Montessori School carries out into the island community. In 2022 she completed the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) course for Administrators.
Ms. Tatiana holds two master's degrees. Her first masters is with honors in Psychology. Her second masters is in International Relations. In 2012, she established and successfully led 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 in recognition of their level of Russian language mastery on an international level.
Ms. Tatiana is the mother of three beautiful daughters who are 20, 11 and 3 years old; the two youngest were born in Saipan. She and her family have lived on Saipan since 2009.
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Dedication to the Local Community
Since moving to Saipan in 2009, Ms. Tatiana has been dedicated to this beautiful Island! During these years she has been an active member of the island community. She has sat on the boards of two not-for-profit schools and is currently an active member of the Saipan Soroptimists Organization.
In her spare time, Ms. Tatiana regularly participates in local festivals such as the Flame Tree Festival and the Taste of Marianas Festival with her artworks (mosaics made from ceramic tiles, crochet toys, and jewelry).
Diana Silveira
Children's House Guide & Trainer
Program Director
Marketing & PR Specialist
Degrees and Experience
Ms. Diana was super excited to return to Saipan and reunite with Isla Montessori once again. She brings 15 years of Montessori experience and passion with her as an AMS certified Early Childhood Montessori Teacher while also being a holder of a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago.
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When Ms. Diana previously lived in Saipan (2016-2023), she initially worked at Brilliant Star for 2 years. Later, she became a cofounder, early childhood teacher and co-head of school at the island's second Montessori school, Isla Montessori.
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During the pandemic, Ms. Diana left Isla and founded Montessori@Home, an in-home tutoring and support services endeavor. Using Montessori methods and materials, she helps children acquire stronger foundations in reading and math.
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In 2025, Ms. Diana adds to her duties. As a Trainer, she focuses on new hire orientation and staff training, especially in Montessori pedagogy/philosophy and Positive Discipline strategies/approaches. As Program Director she supervises staff and scheduling, ensures high-quality Montessori programming, oversees the Afterschool and Camp Programs, and creates and hosts Adult Education events. As Marketing & PR Specialist, she ensures that Isla families and residents of the CNMI and potential future families have access to information on the school.
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Ms. Diana brings to learning, not only her experience and passion for Montessori, but her heartfelt love for children, cultures and learning. She can often be heard saying, ‘The children are by far my best teachers and they help make me a better guide and person.’ Along with her strong belief for the Montessori pedagogy, she has a firm belief in this quote by Ivor Lovaas: If a child cannot learn the way we teach... then we must teach the way the child can learn."
Christy Aldan
Children's House Assistant Teacher & Chamorro Enrichment Teacher
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Ms. Christy was born and raised on the beautiful island of Saipan. She is pursuing an associates degree in Applied Science in Criminal Justice and a Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in Social Work.
Since she joined Isla Montessori in 2023, Ms. Christy's passion for teaching our children has grown. Her deep understanding of the Chamorro culture within the CNMI has made her an invaluable asset to the program. Her dedication to lifelong learning in education reminds her that learning is a continuous journey, and seeking knowledge regardless of age or stage in life can be tremendously fulfilling.​​
Laealdrie “Laelae” Jesslynne Dlg Sablan
Children's House Teacher's Assistant
Hafa Adai, Ali, & Kasalelie.
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I graduated in 2022 with my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Education. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Saipan. I am a mother to a very intelligent baby boy. Since I was a little girl I have always known what I wanted to be and that was a teacher. Because of my third grade teacher, Ms.Salas, my love and passion for teaching has only grown much more.
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I worked for the CNMI Public School System as a High Dosage Tutor conducting academic activities that support the educational needs of students in grades K-12. I joined the Isla Montessori team for the Summer Program of 2022, and gained a new perspective of education from that experience. Being a product of the Public School System I was used to a structured plan outlining what we learn based on our grade levels and standardized test scores. Based on my experience and better understanding of the Montessori curriculum, I have found that it is focused on child-centered learning, hands-on activities, and respect for individual development, which sets it apart from traditional education systems. As a parent myself, I can see how beneficial the Montessori curriculum is to a child’s development. Now, being a part of the team again, I hope to use the knowledge and skills I have gained from being a part of both traditional and Montessori educational systems to help our students grow into strong, intelligent, confident individuals. ​​​
Alison Van Ee
Elementary Guide
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Degrees and Experience
Ms. Alison joined Isla Montessori in 2024 as its Elementary Guide. She has been in the education field for 11 years in a variety of positions in elementary and middle schools. She holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Dordt University. "The thing I love about teaching is seeing children grow; becoming confident in themselves, and using their knowledge in positive interactions with others and the environment."
Ms. Alison and her family have lived on Saipan for the last 2.5 years. Before that, she and her husband lived on Saipan from 2011-2013. During the in-between years, they lived in Wisconsin near their family. "Though we miss being close to family, we love the multicultural community of Saipan and love that our kids are growing up here. Two of our three kids are attending Isla."
Being at Isla, Ms. Alison is eager to guide students to learn more about the world in which we live in a Montessori environment. "All the hands-on materials and the natural inquiry-led education are a dream! Personally, I’m very eager to learn more about local cultures through learning Chamorro, weaving and making local pottery. I'm looking forward to being a part of the Isla family."
Megan Barnes
Teacher's Assistant
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Ms. Megan is excited to be joining the team at Isla Montessori, working with young children during such an important time in their growth. With a genuine love for working with children, Ms. Megan is passionate about helping guide them as they explore, learn, and build confidence in themselves.
Ms. Megan believes that working with children is just as much about learning as it is about teaching, and is excited for all the ways the students will help her grow, too. She looks forward to growing alongside the students and their families, and being part of a caring, creative Montessori community.
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Noreen Ashley S. Angui
Substitute Teacher & Ukelele Instructor
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Ms. Ashley graduated from Northern Marianas College in 2020 with an associates degree in Liberal Arts. She joined Isla Montessori in 2022 as a substitute teacher.
In Her Words
"When I heard and read about Montessori, it changed my perspective towards education because throughout my life I had been in the Public School System. We had to follow a strict curriculum-based learning model.
"Montessori is based on self-activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. Dr. Maria Montessori said, “The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life."
"I’ve learned that Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways and it also encourages them to learn at their own pace. Children are able to decide what their focus of learning will be in either one of the five studies: practical, sensorial, mathematics, language, and cosmic. I have learned that children learn best with hands-on projects. The children are a part of a close, caring community. The older children become role models and mentors to the younger children. This helps them feel supported and gain self-confidence about the challenges ahead. Since then, I’ve learned what a prepared environment should look like; how our body language and tone of voice can affect a child, etc. My goal as a teacher is to observe each child and what work interests him/her, make learning joyful, motivate and encourage each child's curiosity for learning. I hope that one day Montessori education can expand more in the CNMI because I believe that it will benefit children to grow into responsible, independent people who have a lifelong love of learning."
Fei Fei Lei
Teacher's Assistant
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Recently receiving my associates degree with an emphasis in education, I am excited to be back in the classroom. I have interned at Brilliant Star and Isla, sharing my passion for the arts. I love seeing children create and express themselves with the tools that they are given. I hope to continue learning and pursuing my bachelors and certification in teaching. Learning is a lifelong journey and I hope to share it with the Isla Team!​
