Brilliant Star School



	Global Understanding • Service to Humanity • Exemplary Character • Creative Minds

Mara Khorram: Co-Principal

Mara Khorram is one of the founders of Brilliant Star, and as such her association with the school goes back to 1999, when the plans began to start a world-class school. The school opened as a result of Mara's, and her husband's efforts to provide a stimulating educational environment for their young daughter, who at the time was a toddler. Throughout its history, Mara has served the school community in a variety of capacities, doing whatever needed to be done to help build a school of exceptional quality. She is known for her bright outgoing nature, her sense of humor, and her supportive team approach towards problem solving. She brings to Brilliant Star a strong dedication to the vision of the school and to the AMI curriculum. She also brings years of experience in administration, management, and executive positions in both the government and private sectors. Mara holds a Bachelor of Science in Administration from Seattle University (1990), and a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Hawaii (1996). Before her arrival in Saipan in 1993, she lived in American Samoa and Hawaii, and prior to that, in Oregon. Since March 2003 she has been giving her services to the school on a full-time basis, continuing to do so as a volunteer. We are thrilled to have the leadership and dedication that Mara brings to Brilliant Star.

Rita came to Brilliant Star in August 2002 from the Toronto area. Rita completed her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, in 1995, with Honors in Native Studies at the Trent University in Ontario. In 1997 she completed her AMI training for the 3-6 year-old level at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto. After completing this training, she spent two years at ASRARY Children's Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a Primary Montessori Directress. She returned to Canada in 1999, where she directed a classroom of 3-6 year old children at Humberside Montessori School. While at Humberside, Rita served as a mentor to students receiving their AMI Teacher Training. She was commended for the way in which she respectfully communicated with the children, and has been described as a " master " of the art of child education. Her work at Brilliant Star is marked by enthusiasm, clarity and purposefulness.

Susan Book: Primary Teacher

Susan Book grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. She is the youngest of 4 girls. Her parents were Peace Corp workers in Pohnpei over 30 years ago and adopted a daughter there. In addition to attaining her AMI Montessori degree for the 3-6 year old level at the Montessori Institute Northwest in Oregon, Susan studied fine art, art therapy, and psychology. She loves to paint with watercolors, garden, participate in outdoor sports, and is an avid reader. Susan taught in a class of 3-6 year olds in a Montessori school in Chicago, Illinois. She has volunteered in Africa teaching children in an orphanage in Mozambique. Susan brings her sense of adventure and fun to Saipan, as well as her love of children.

Mei Demapan: Toddler Teacher

Mei Demapan started with Brilliant Star in August 2002, as the Mandarin speaking Assistant in the Toddler classroom. She was lauded by her directress as being one of the very best assistants she had ever worked with. Mei was encouraged to undertake her Toddler training, and completed her training in the Birth to Three curriculum in San Diego. She received her training under the direction of Silvana Montanaro, the world's foremost expert in this area, and the author of "Understanding the Human Being." Mei brings to the classroom a great deal of warmth and gentleness. She has written a weekly column for a local Chinese newspaper (Pacific Weekly) explaining child development and parenting issues for the Chinese community in Saipan.