Faculty and Staff – International Montessori Schools

Ginny Grau, Director

Bio coming soon.

Lu Deng, Primary Lead Teacher

Ms. Lu Deng has joined the primary team at International Montessori Schools at Paoli. She is thrilled to be your child’s teacher and looks forward to a year of fun learning and adventures. She received her Master’s degree from Early Childhood Education with a Montessori certificate in Chestnut Hill college. She has been teaching in a Montessori environment for six years. She loves working with kids and learning with them in areas such as language arts, math, zoology, geography, botany, etc. She has one daughter named Iverina and she will be at the Paoli Campus Primary classroom with Ms. Laura. Lu always love to hear from the families throughout the year. Please contact her with any questions you may have.

Yue Ying Chen, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Yueying has been with IM Schools since 2015. She holds a Degree in Information Engineering and also holds a Certification from the CDA National Credentialing Program awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. Ms. Yueying is a kind teacher with great knowledge in early childhood education. Ms. Yueying is a great communicator has been working with young children for over nine years where she provides the best possible learning environment to meet each student’s needs. Ms. Yeuying incorporates her Chinese heritage into the classroom by teaching Chinese to both the Pre-primary and Primary classes and she also runs the Chinese club at IM Schools, Paoli.

<strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Laura Sears, <strong>Assistant Primary Teacher</strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong></strong>

Laura Sears, Assistant Primary Teacher

Ms. Laura joined IMSchools in March 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation with minors in Entomology and Spanish from the University of Delaware. She has been involved in Environmental Education for the past 5 years, and she loves sharing her love of nature with others. It was through a former position that she learned about Montessori, and is excited to become part of this wonderful community. She is enrolled in the Montessori Teacher Training program, MITE, located in Wilmington, Delaware. In her spare time, Laura loves to read, listen to music, dance and enjoys meandering along a wooded trail looking for signs of wildlife.

Senem Uyanik Sacin, Lead Pre-Primary Teacher

Ms. Senem Uyanik Sacin joined IM Schools in 2010 and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Archaeological Restoration and Conservation from the University of Ege, Turkey. Ms. Senem has worked for archaeological excavations, museums and private collectors for ten years. She holds an American Montessori Society credential in Infant /Toddler through the Montessori Institute for Teacher Education (MITE).

Ms. Senem is a dedicated Pre-Primary teacher who is passionate about Montessori philosophy. She decided to pursue the Infant/Toddler Montessori Program as in the first three years, brain development is more rapid than at any other period in life. She believes in providing appropriate support and education in a safe environment during this period which promotes a life-long learning capacity.

In her spare time, Ms. Senem researches how children’s museums curate their exhibits and hopes to contribute to, and improve upon, the experience that the museums provide to their youngest visitors. She also enjoys designing jewelry, visiting museums, parks, doing jigsaw puzzles, working with a private art collector, spending time with her family and reading about Montessori Education.

Kaye Dirks, Assistant Pre-Primary Teacher

Miss Kaye has more than 10 years’ experience working with young children and is currently completing her Montessori Certification. She enjoys working with our younger children and creates positive relationships through her nurturing demeanor. Prior to her teaching experience, she worked in Banking for 20 years in South Africa. Ms. Kaye joined IM Schools in July 2016 and her hobbies include hiking, cooking, reading, travelling and embracing different cultures.

Lisa Ridley Hunter, Yoga Instructor

Ms. Lisa joined IM Schools in 2007 and has worked as both a yoga teacher and as an assistant teacher at three IM Schools location. She is originally from the United Kingdom, but has lived in the US for many years. Prior to moving to the USA, Ms. Lisa lived in Saudi Arabia where she taught in an Embassy school. Ms. Lisa holds her Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center and currently teaches Yoga at the Paoli, Great Valley and Malvern locations.