OUR STAFF
Rob Schultz : Principal
Rob was brought into the Brilliant Star community to enhance the heart of school. Although he grew up in Seattle, Rob has spent the past 12 years strengthening education in Saipan. Rob completed his undergraduate degree in Human Development, with teaching endorsements in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English and Psychology, at Washington Stat University. His M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision was completed at the University of Guam. Through his guidance the school has extended the program into all of the Elementary years. Rob provides depth with his knowledge of child development and learning. Prior to joining our team Rob spent seven years training teachers at Northern Marianas College, where he also served as the Lab School Principal, Early Childhood Coordinator, Student Teacher Coordinator, Student Advisor and instructional faculty within the School of Education. Rob has taught in a variety of classrooms and early learning environments, teaching children from 18 months, through all elementary grades, middle school, high school, and up to college. Rob's greatest joys come from spending time with his wife and three children camping on Managaha, playing soccer, running, and sharing stories. He passionately enjoys his work on the campus, in the classrooms, and across the island.
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 Bonnici: Primary Teacher
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.
Kamweli Wilson: Primary Teacher
Kamweli is now in our second year with Brilliant Star, but has been providing Montessori education in both private and public schools for the past decade. Before moving to Saipan Kamweli taught for several years in Montessori Schools in Portland, Oregon. Kamweli attained her AMI Montessori diploma for the 3-6 year old level at the Montessori Institute Northwest in Oregon. Kamweli brings her enthusiasm for learning, life and people into our campus as she guides her students through new educational experiences.
Stephanie Shapiro: Lower Elementary Teacher
Stephanie is new to our school, but is a veteran Montessori Teacher. Stephanie has served as a lead teacher in Primary classes for twelve years. Although originally from Ohio, she has taught in Colorado and Idaho. We are thankful that this adventurous Western spirit has led her to our school. In addition to her AMI Primary training, Stephanie most recently received her AMI Elementary diploma at the iconic Montessori training center in Bergamo, Italy this past year.
Elisabeth Swain: Upper Elementary Teacher
Lis is another experienced teacher that has joined our educational team. Lis has taught for several years in Rhode Island. She is also Montessori trained at two levels holding a AMS diploma at the Elementary level, and having received NAMTA adolescent training at the model learning lab known as the Hershey Montessori Farm School in Pennsylvania. Lis is also the product of Montessori education, as she attended a Montessori school in England as a youth. We are very pleased to have her support.
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.
