top of page

Gilman Montessori Academy
Our Team
Teachers work one-on-one with the students, demonstrating how to use these materials when the child is developmentally ready to use them. Our teachers closely and carefully noting when the time is right for the child to be introduced to the next level of difficulty. We provide individualized lesson plans for each child.
Please meet the wonderful teachers in our GMA family who put their heart and soul into the school and are deeply connected with every child in every classroom.

Ms. Ruoyun
Owner/Director
Ms. Ruoyun has a degree in Education and Child Education with over 20 years of teaching experience. Miss Ruoyun found great value in the Montessori education system when she was pregnant with her daughter in 2007 and became a Montessori education follower. She practiced her passion in Montessori education in her daily teaching and raising her two wonderful children. She established Trillium Montessori School in Bellevue in 2013 with the purpose of creating a bilingual Montessori program. Later, the school relocated to larger premises in Issaquah with an expanded leadership team and reopened as Gilman Montessori Academy. Ms. Ruoyun is currently Gilman Montessori School's office admin and lead teacher. She loves outdoor activities, reading, cooking, and enjoying time with her supportive and loving family.

Ms. Deepti
Teacher/Program Lead
Ms. Deepti has a degree in Engineering. After working as an engineer for many years, she found that her true passion lies in early childhood education, and became a Montessori teacher. Miss Deepti has been teaching for over 15 years in preschools around the area before coming to GMA and is the lead teacher of our classroom. She has two daughters, both of whom spent their early childhood in Montessori schools. Ms. Deepti is very active in her free time - she likes walking dogs, dancing, sports, and hanging out with friends. Her favorite things to do include travel, experiencing different cultures, and tasting new cuisines. She loves every child in our classroom and enjoys teaching them new and different things every day.

Ms. Stephanie
Lead Teacher
Ms. Stephanie is a PNW native. She newly found her passion in Montessori and is in progress to getting her teacher certificate. Ms. Stephanie has 3 awesome kiddos. She believe hugs can heal and the best conversation is done with a 2 to 5 year old! She also loves being outdoors camping, hiking, learning and doing anything hands-on, as well as being a part of the GMA team!

Ms. Mary
Chinese Teacher
Ms. Mary was born and raised in China. She moved to the US over 10 years ago and has been working in preschools ever since. Ms. Mary has over 10 years of teaching experience and has been with GMA for over 4 of those years. She leads our Mandarin curriculum in all three classes, as well as our afterschool Mandarin Class. Ms. Mary’s favorite things to do are read ingbooks, organizing her house, planting flowers, and taking long walks.

Ms. Betsa
Co-Lead Teacher
Born and raised in Colombia, Ms. Betsa came to the US over 4 years ago after finishing her Arts and Cultural Education Degree, with the principal purpose of learning English and get a cultural exchange, but during this process she fell in love with the PNW.
With over 10+ years of experience working with children, between preschools, traditional schools, arts academies, events planning companies and families, she found out the real reason of being part of all this is always been because she really wanted to be around children, help in their learning process and be positive part on their life journey. So she decided to join a Montessori certification program with the purpose to enrich her career and with this she also found values, strategies and more reasons to keep up with her goals, but also to support the families and children around her with love.

Ms. Alana
Intern Teacher
Hello! My name is Alana Pereira and I am excited to be joining the Gilman team as an assistant teacher. I hold a technological degree in Marketing and am currently enrolled in the Montessori Teacher Program of Washington, where I am pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Originally from Brazil, I bring a diverse background and a passion for education to the classroom. When I'm not teaching, you can find me enjoying the great outdoors, whether it's camping, hiking, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. I am excited to contribute to the Gilman community and look forward to supporting our students on their educational journey.

Ms. Bella Wang
Assistant Teacher

Ms. Shital
Lead Teacher
Miss Shital has a degree in engineering. She is a mother of two lovely sons. After working for 6 years in the IT industry, she found that life is more beautiful around children. She has newly discovered her passion for Montessori and is keenly interested in rapid growth, so she started pursuing her teacher certification. It is important to find fulfillment and happiness in our work. Her belief in the power of meditation and positive attitude is commendable. Teaching children to approach life with confidence and an easy -going mindset can have a significant impact on their development and overall well-being. During her leisure hours, she likes to do Zumba, engage in outdoor activities, and hang out with friends.
She is ecstatic to be a part of the GMA family! Cheers..:)

Ms. Shyanne
Assistant Teacher
Miss Shyanne used to work with K students but now she is enjoying so much with her toddlers. She is peaceful, sweet and hard working teacher. She loves her students and her team very much!

Ms. Gabbie
Intern Teacher
I am excited to contribute to the Gilman community and look forward to supporting our students on their educational journey.

Ms. Marily
Lead Teacher
Miss Marily started her experience at GMA as a volunteer teacher and sha has become a great Montessori teacher and leader over the past a few years. She has a caring heart for the children and families, has her passion in early childhood education and a great ownership and leadership here for the GMA community.

Ms. Luana
Intern Teacher
Miss Luana has a great both Montessori education and children dance. She is finishing her internship at GMA this year and preparing herself to become a lead teacher in her class in the near future.

Ms. Somaya
Assistant/Aftercare Teacher

Ms. Vicky
Intern/Aftercare Teacher

Ms. Oogii
Lead Teacher
Miss Oogii originally came from Mongolia. Her educational background is children education, and she previously worked as a high school teacher. She found her passion in the younger age and became a Montessori teacher later on. She has teaching experience in a couple of local Montessori schools and she expresses her intention of continually learning more about Montessori education philosophy and teaching methods. In Miss Oogii's free time, she enjoys painting and practicing Mongolian calligraphy. She said these hobbies help her express herself creatively and stay connected to her cultural roots.

Teacher Ell
Assistant Teacher
Teacher Ell. has been working in a Montessori classrooms for 2 years, and this will be his third! He is well versed in music, and loves teaching through songs and catchy rhythms to make learning new things easier. He also enjoys learning new things all the time! In his free time you could probably catch him reading a book with a pen in hand for note taking. If your kiddos come home singing a new song you haven't heard before, there's a good chance it was him! He said he looks forward to spending time in the classroom, and helping your child be the best and brightest they can be.

Ms. Ammu
Assistant Teacher
Miss Ammu is the most gentle person and teacher in the world. She has a degree in engineering. She came to us as parent but found her passion with early childhood education here. She is a caring teacher, and humble learner. In her free time, she loves cooking, dancing and traveling. She is very excited to be part of the GMA family.

Ms. April
Assistant Teacher
Miss April Ramos came from California. She has a few years work experience in early childhood education area with young kids from birth to preschool age. She loves to bring out children’s creativity or show them ways to express themselves. She looks forward to meeting all parents and working with your kids!!

Ms. Li
School Chef/Float Teacher

Ms. Stephanie
French Teacher
bottom of page