Faculty & Staff

We believe that great teachers are our best asset.

Dedicated to authentic Montessori education, the administration and staff at Little Explorers Montessori are highly trained, talented, and love working with children. 

Julia Prisyazhnyuk

Director, Head Teacher

I have a passion and love for working with the primary age group. I have an IMC (International Montessori Council) certification and over 8 years of experience in a Montessori environment with infants and toddlers (2 months-3 years old), and primary age (3-6 years old). With the experience and credentials, I am well versed to provide a nurturing environment that helps stimulate the growth of children. The type of environment I create and maintain helps to encourage participation and allows the children to explore different areas of learning. I work to help guide each child to reach their own potential through independent growth and love of learning.

I wholeheartedly believe in the Montessori Method and interact with children in a calm, patient, and nurturing manner. I see myself as a lifelong learner who has demonstrated success in guiding children to connect with materials and implement strategic planning for various classroom environments to build independence. Through my observation I have come to realize that I have the personality, the ability to create lesson plans according to what the environment has to offer to support the children’s brain, social and emotional development. I thrive on providing opportunities for the child to reason, ways to use the hands to create what they are imagination pursues, allows curiosity and exploration burst, repetition and trails and errors that allow children to arrive at their own conclusion about life, the power of love for oneself and the world.

I hold a B.A. in Oriental Studies, with a specialization as an Economist and Translator in Korean and English from the Far Eastern Federal University in Russia. I’ve also earned a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. I have Musical Education, specializing in piano, and have experience teaching piano lessons. I am a mother of three wonderful children, who are the biggest inspiration and pride in my life

Lena Krivosheenko

Infant-Toddler Teacher

Hello, my name is Lena Krivosheenko. I am originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. I am married and have two wonderful boys with whom I stayed home for 6 years to take care of them. I have my degree in Tourism and Hospitality. I love the Montessori philosophy and have been practicing it for years. For my hobbies, I love traveling and exploring new places. I have a passion for photography and art. I am very dedicated and patient when it comes to children. With such a good amount of practice I have a lot to offer to children, from hands-on activities to more advanced arts and crafts.

Naynara Tangeland

Head Teacher in Early Childhood

Naynara Tangeland joined the team at Little Montessori Explorers in February, 2022. She is the lead teacher at our primary class, and she has been helping us emphasize our highly competitive academic program. She graduated in Arts and Graphic Design from California State University Long Beach, and she homeschooled her two children for more than 10 years prior to receiving her Montessori Primary Certification in 2017. She enjoys teaching and sharing the Montessori philosophy with her community and has taught phonics reading classes for children ages 3 and up both in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. Ms. Naynara loves to create new materials for her lessons and to prepare a learning environment that is nurturing and appealing to all the children in her class. Originally from Brazil, when she is not teaching, Ms. Naynara likes to swim, to go for walks in nature, and to go on road trips around the country with her family.

Adele Polivara

Assistant Teacher

My name is Adele, I am currently majoring in Psychology at Santa Monica College, getting ready for an exciting transfer to UC Irvine this fall. My grandmother who is a psychologist/therapist has inspired my academic journey. My work history ranges from babysitting and nannying to tutoring children and a little bit of retail. 10 years ago, I moved from Moscow, Russia, and I'm proud to be fluent in both spoken and written Russian. I have lived in Long Beach ever since I moved to the U.S., and this summer I moved to Costa Mesa with my boyfriend and my pet snake! I have three little brothers, whom I enjoy spending a lot of time with, we love going snowboarding and skiing together. Also, I am a dancer and have danced my whole life. I was on a dance team in High School. Some of my other hobbies are puzzling, sewing, cross stitching, beading and etc. I really enjoy fine motor skill activities. I'm thrilled to be part of your child's learning journey and look forward to a fantastic school year together!