Our Faculty and Staff
Teachers - Monterey Park
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 2023-2024 class photo.
Maria can be reached at: maria.rivera@mehermontessori.org
Johvana Tinajero
Primary Teacher
Ms. Tinajero started with us in 2017 at our Altadena school as an assistant teacher. Her daughter Julia, has been a student at Meher since she was two and a half. Johvana has her associates degree in child development and her certificate in child development. She has previously worked for the Montebello School District and the Temple City School District. She is a graduate of the Montessori Institute of San Diego, AMI Primary teacher training. Johvana terms her experience this way:
"What I like most as a parent/teacher's assistant at Meher is that the staff/my coworkers are extremely supportive, not just with me but with all parents, students, and staff. It's genuine."
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 2023-2024 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
Elementary Teacher
Mr. Mindes is an 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’ 2023-2024 class photo.
Len can be reached at: ls.mindes@mehermontessori.org