Our Faculty and Staff
Teachers
Maria Rivera
Primary Teacher
Ms. Rivera is with us for her 19th year! She is a teacher in one of our primary classrooms. She is a graduate of Western Mindanao State University in the Philippines where she achieved two B.S. degrees. One is in chemistry and the other in elementary education.
In addition, she has a Certificate of Specialization in Pre-school Education. Maria graduated from The Montessori Institute of San Diego with her AMI Primary Teacher's Diploma.
Click here to see Mrs. Rivera's 2024-2025 class photo.
Maria can be reached at: maria.rivera@mehermontessori.org
Monica Lopez
Primary Teacher
Ms. Lopez began working at Meher in October 2014. She just completed her AMI primary training and is now the teacher in one of our Primary classrooms. She received her Associate Degree in Social Science from Santa Monica College, and graduated Cal State University Los Angeles in Cultural Anthropology with honors. Prior to working at Meher, she worked for the Boys and Girls Club, and for an after school program of the Alhambra School District. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and weight lifting. She also enjoys hiking and being with her family.
Click to see Ms. Lopez’s 2024-2025 class photo.
"Meher allows me the flexibility to take on many roles at once. I love that I can be a leader, supporter, and a student as well, as the kids teach me something new every day. I enjoy watching the students master their conceptual and creative skills with the different classes and work provided for them."
Monica can be reached at: monica.lopez@mehermontessori.org
Len Mindes
Upper Elementary Teacher
Mr. Mindes is an Upper Elementary teacher at Meher Montessori School. Len is an AMI certified Elementary Teacher and a 1995 graduate of the Washington Montessori Institute. In the summer of 2013 Len spent five weeks at the Hershey Montessori School in Ohio taking the AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies course. Len led the Meher Montessori Middle School for six years. We are excited to have him lead our Elementary program. Len also has a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Boston University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Antioch University.
Click to see Mr. Mindes’ 2024-2025 class photo.
Len can be reached at: ls.mindes@mehermontessori.org
Althea Wildhaber
Lower Elementary Teacher
Mrs. Wildhaber was our former director/teacher at our Altadena site that was lost in the Eaton Fire. She has worked in the primary classrooms at both the Monterey Park and Altadena schools, as well as before and after school daycare.
In addition to completing her required child development courses, she has earned an AA in Social Sciences from PCC and a BA from Pacific Oaks College in Human Development with a focus on Early Childhood Education. Althea graduated from The Montessori Institute of San Diego with her AMI Primary Teacher's Diploma. Althea graduated from Montessori Northwest in the summer of 2024 after completing the AMI Elementary Teacher Education Program.
Althea describes her experience this way:
"I love that the Montessori Method fosters independence and leadership skills through a mixed age environment. What makes Meher Montessori such a special place is the diversity and feeling of community the students, parents, and staff have developed over the years."
Click to see Mrs. Wildhaber’s 2024-2025 class photo.
Althea can be reached at: altheawildhaber@mehermontessori.org