Montessori School BaliMontessori School Bali06/01/2020
Nature has always been an integral part of Montessori education.
When our preschool children come outside to work in the Outdoor Programme, they are exposed to our spacious garden with varieties of different plants. Children get the chance to explore and to enjoy the beauty of the outdoor surroundings, such as the colourful leaves and flowers. They also experience some of these plants growing old, changing colours, dying and decomposing.
Iliana was born and raised in Greece and has been working with children under 6 since 2012. She loves to explore different cultures and had the opportunity to teach in schools in China, Japan and Korea before coming to Bali. Iliana completed her AMI training for children under 3 in 2019, at the Montessori training center of Athens, Greece. She has been an Infant Community Guide ever since. She also worked as a consultant with parents wishing to bring the Montessori method into the home. Iliana feels so thankful to be able to join MSB and explore once more another beautiful culture while observing the child’s journey to independence from birth.
Natalie has been a Montessori Teacher for 24 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology in Education from the University of Toronto, in Toronto, Canada, and an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in French Literature and Gender Studies from York University, also in Toronto.
Natalie first discovered Montessori after observing the experiences of her younger siblings, who attended Montessori preschool and primary. After reading Montessori’s writings on education while studying in France during high school, (where she studied at a local Lycee and the French Conservatory for piano and violin), she decided to pursue her studies in Montessori.
Natalie completed her Montessori 6-12 diploma at F.C.I.S.M. in Bergamo, Italy. She has taught in large, top-tier urban Montessori schools in Canada and at MSB. Natalie believes that Montessori nurtures independence and a lifelong passion for learning. She feels the method is unique as it deeply respects the individual and allows students to find their place and purpose within their classrooms, schools, families, communities, and the world.
A seasoned educator, Natalie approaches each year as a fresh new experience where the interests of the children take the learning in new and exciting directions. “Teaching in Bali offers a rare opportunity to delve deep into the diverse landscape, culture, and heritage of the beautiful island and Indonesia framed within the Montessori Philosophy.”
Dwi graduated from the English Education Department of Ganesha University. She is very familiar with the teaching and learning process of conventional school. Working at Montessori School Bali brought her a new amazing experience by seeing and watching how beautiful is the implementation of Montessori philosophy, how it works for the children, and how it affects us as parents. She is really impressed and keen to implement Montessori at home for her children.
Born in Italy and raised in the South-East of France, Lidia Olivieri has a degree in Social Psychology from the Université de Lettres et Sciences Humaines de Nice. She received her three-to-six AMI diploma in 2002 from the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori in Paris where she taught for a few years, before joining Montessori School Bali, fifteen years ago. She is one of our Preschool Lead Teachers and our Preschool Coordinator. Her passion and enthusiasm for guiding her students is contagious and her creativity and love of beauty bring innovative extensions to her teaching practice every year.
Safira Basaina is an accomplished professional, holding an undergraduate degree in Archaeology and a Master’s degree in International Relations from University of Indonesia. With a solid background in educational environments, she is exceedingly pleased to join the esteemed team at Montessori School Bali. She is unwavering in her commitment to perpetual learning, with a particular focus on the school administration and the people management. As a devoted mother of one, she ardently applies the Montessori philosophy in her parenting, fostering an environment of curiosity and independent growth for her child. She is enthusiastic about integrating these same principles into her professional endeavors at Montessori School Bali, aspiring to cultivate an atmosphere of holistic development and intellectual curiosity. Safira’s dedication to both her personal and professional roles exemplifies her passion for education and her continuous pursuit of excellence in understanding and managing educational institutions.
Sukma is a Preschool Teachers Assistant, and has been working at Montessori School Bali since 2018. Sukma acquired her English Education Bachelors Degree from Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha. She has a great passion for supporting and nurturing the development of our younger students.
Novita has a Bachelor Degree in English Education from Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha. She has been working as a Preschool Assistant Teacher at Montessori School Bali since 2016. Novita is passionate about the Montessori philosophy because of the hands-on independent learning of the child and the development their independence, offering freedom within limits and the respect for the child.
Wina joined Montessori School Bali in 2004 as a Preschool Teacher’s Assistant until about 2016. She then worked in the office from 2016 – 2017 supporting General Affairs. Wina came back to MSB during the pandemic in 2020 as a Teacher’s Assistant and around 2021 became the coordinator for the outdoor program which she currently runs for the Preschool. Wina has her AMI Assistant Teacher Training Certificate for 3 to 6. She is happy to be back at Montessori School Bali and loves working with the children.
After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Undiksha University, Singaraja, (Ganesha University of Education) in 2008, Lina entered the education world to explore her passion for teaching and learning. Lina taught English and Indonesian in a variety of local schools at various levels (preschool to senior high school) before she joined Montessori School Bali as a Teacher’s Assistant in 2014. In 2016, Lina received her Montessori Teacher Training (Diploma) from North American Montessori Center (NAMC). She also teaches Indonesian and PPKN (Indonesia Study). Lina believes that every child is unique, special, and has his or her own strengths and weaknesses. She is committed to helping children grow and become the best version of themselves in a healthy environment filled with kindness and encouragement.
Dina, is the teacher assistant in the Melati Classroom and Bahasa Indonesia teacher. She has been passionate about being a teacher since she was a child. Dina graduated from Mahasaraswati University with Bachelor’s degree of education and enjoys helping students to learn and grow.
Christina has worked in national, national plus and international school in Jakarta for 10 years. She worked as a volunteer in education in Jakarta and also in an NGO in North Bali to support children of lesser means to get their basic education, to help bring awareness of health and nutrition for babies, mothers and families. Christina enjoys gardening, cooking, dancing, photography and anything to do with art when she is not working in the Frangipani Classroom.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois USA, Nicole was first introduced to the Montessori method in 2012, as a Teacher’s Assistant. From that moment, she never stopped studying, researching, and working with the Montessori Method. Nicole earned her AMI Diploma in Casa dei Bambini in 2014. Since then, she has taught in schools in Thailand, Vietnam, and Poland before coming to Bali. Nicole has also lived and worked on the east and west coasts in the US from Portland, Oregon to New York City. Nicole came to Montessori School Bali with over 8 years of experience working as a Montessori Teacher. Currently Nicole is pursuing her 6-12 Montessori teacher training. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and of course traveling to new places.
Vina achieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology Education in 2011 and completed her Master’s Degree of Educational Administration in 2013 from Ganesha University. She has been teaching biology and science at junior high school and senior high school from 2012 until 2019. After that, Vina decided to be a full-time mother to take care of her two children. Vina is very interested in the Montessori learning method; she has read a lot and has attended a workshop about Montessori with the aim of growing her child’s independence. Vina is glad to be able to join Montessori School Bali as assistant teacher in 0-3 classroom.
Anom was born and raised in Batubulan, and is the proud father of a beautiful 7 year-old daughter. He received his Diploma in Food and Beverage Management in 2001, and worked extensively in hospitality, most recently as Assistant F&B manager at the Double Six Luxury Hotel. In 2021, Anom became the ground operational manager at Montessori School Bali and enjoys gaining experience and knowledge in the field of education.
Praba, an alumnus of STIKOM Bali in 2016, has explored various industries since graduating.
From the television media industry for 4 years, followed by the education sector at the Bali International Polytechnic, and the engaging experience in the event organizer industry at the Melali Bali Group for 4 years, her journey has brought a diverse range of valuable experiences before joining Montessori School Bali.
As a receptionist and GA, Praba’s communication skills are imbued with warmth, whether interacting with parents of students or the students themselves. This ability provides her with the opportunity to forge strong and supportive relationships between the school and the community.
Outside of work, Praba finds peace and joy in nature and loves Balinese dance. It’s not only serves as an hobby but also as a mean for her to connect with the culture and ancestral heritage.
Ayu has returned to Montessori School Bali, where she worked for four years prior to the pandemic, as the teaching assistant in the 0-3 classroom. Ayu brings lovely experience, a calm and friendly personality to the children and her familiarity with Montessori and our school.
Dina holds a Bachelor Degree in English Education from Ganesha University. She has been teaching early childhood ages three to five since 2020. She has a true passion for working with young children and helping each child progress in all areas of development – academic, social, language and motor. This is a challenge she is honored to accept daily. Dina believes that by nurturing positivity and love, we can help each child grow and flourish into their unique personality.
Principal Price was born, raised and educated in Toronto, Canada by parents who immigrated from the UK. With a Bachelor Degree in History and English from the University of Toronto, Marion travelled throughout Europe, and worked in a book store in London before venturing on to Japan for eight years. Marion began teaching English in elementary schools and introductory French at a University before discovering her passion and calling for Montessori education. After earning a Montessori diploma for ages three to six, Marion taught in Montessori schools in Miyazaki and Tokyo before moving to the US. Marion continued teaching early childhood Montessori in Virginia and Washington DC before earning an AMI diploma for ages six to twelve in conjunction with a Master of Education Degree at Loyola University Maryland, and later a Post-Master Certificate in School Leadership at George Washington University. Marion began her teaching journey in 1994, including 8 years in Montessori administration as Program Coordinator and Principal before moving to Bali in 2024 as Principal at our wonderful Montessori school in paradise. In her personal time, Marion is voracious about reading, music, swimming and being at one with nature.
Intan graduated from the English Language Education Department at Mahasaraswati University in Denpasar in 2024. As a teacher, she thinks that each child is a special individual with great potential. With the support of the Montessori method, children can pursue their interests and study at their own speed, fostering independence, self-assurance, and a love of learning. Working at Montessori School Bali allows her to have various extraordinary new experiences.
She has graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting studies from Politeknik Negeri Bali. She loves to do reading books, listening music and swimming in her spare time. She has been worked as senior accountant who in-charge to provide financial, budget, and tax report for Finance company and hospitality industry for around 18 years. Now she has passionate to learning about various accounting system and financial reports in Education sector and joining in Montessori School Bali with Montessori Philosophy which is develop child for their self-independence and become the best version of themselves in a healthy environment filled with kindness.
Ayu is returning to Montessori School Bali, where she worked for four years prior to the pandemic, as the teaching assistant in the 0-3 classroom. Ayu brings lovely experience and her familiarity with Montessori and our school, and we are so glad to welcome her back to MSB!
Montessori School Bali was the very first Montessori school established in Bali and founded in 1998 by Nattalia Sinclaire and her husband, Kadek Wiranatha.
Nattalia, having grown up in Ireland surrounded by the Montessori approach, was inspired to seek Montessori training, which she participated in and completed in London and Dublin in 1984 for Preschool and Primary aged children. She then went on to teach internationally in the field of Montessori education in England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and Indonesia. Being so convinced and inspired by her work in the Montessori field, she was eager to bring the possibility of a Montessori education to Bali and hence had the great pleasure in establishing and opening, with Kadek, Montessori School Bali in May 1998.
Kadek is a long-standing, established, and experienced Balinese businessman, operating predominantly in the hospitality, fashion, and beverage industries in Bali for over 35 years.
