Kimiyo Friis-Lund

Directress, Bilingual Montessori Teacher

Kimiyo's journey in Montessori education is both professional and deeply personal. As the mother of a child educated using the Montessori method, she has witnessed firsthand the profound impact of this approach on a child's development. She firmly believes that completing the three-year Montessori cycle is an invaluable gift, fostering independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. For her, Montessori is not just an educational method, but a foundation that nurtures the whole child, providing them with the skills and mindset necessary to approach life with curiosity and resilience.

Born in Japan, Kimiyo has spent most of her adult life in Switzerland, dedicating herself to the field of education. Holding a bachelor's degree in education, she is an AMI-certified teacher for children aged 3 to 6. Since 2004, she has passionately guided children in Montessori schools, offering patience, kindness, and a deep respect for each child's individual learning journey. Her extensive experience and cultural background allow her to create a nurturing and inspiring classroom where children feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Alexandra Gonin

French-Speaking Montessori Teacher

Alexandra's passion for education naturally led her to the Montessori approach, which aligns with her belief that learning should be child-centered. Born and raised in France, she earned a Master's degree in Education from the Sorbonne before obtaining her AMI certification for children aged 3 to 6. Her commitment to nurturing young learners has been central to her work since she joined Kimiyo in 2015.

For Alexandra, Montessori is much more than a method: it's a way of respecting each child's individuality, fostering their autonomy, curiosity, and love of learning. She finds great joy in observing the children's transformation throughout their three-year journey, helping them develop self-confidence, personal discipline, and creativity. With patience and kindness, she encourages them to become active participants in their learning, facing challenges with enthusiasm and pride.

Bethany Ann De Long Vehapi

English Teacher (English Enrichment)

Bethani Ann holds an MSc and a BA, as well as an Advanced TESOL certification and an AMI Montessori Teacher Certification for children aged 3 to 6. Having herself benefited from a Montessori education from ages 3 to 8, she deeply understands the lasting impact of this approach. The daughter of a Montessori teacher, she combines personal experience and professional expertise to enrich each child's learning experience.

Since joining Little Birds in 2022, Bethani Ann has passionately led the "Wonderful Wednesday" workshops, enthusiastically sharing her creativity and knowledge. Her joy in teaching is contagious – she often jokes that she's not sure who benefits more from the classes, the children or herself !

Maho Tadaki

Music Teacher, Jaques-Dalcroze Method

Maho is originally from Japan, where she initially trained as a kindergarten teacher before working for seven years in a preschool. Driven by a desire to deepen her knowledge of music education, she came to Geneva to study at the Jaques-Dalcroze Institute. In 2020, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Movement and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy, specializing in Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics.

Alongside her studies, she teaches music to children aged 3 to 6 at another Montessori school and also works as a substitute teacher at the Jaques-Dalcroze Institute. She has been a mother to a little boy since December 2022.

She is passionate about sharing music with enthusiasm and creativity, and her classes almost always end on a joyful note.

Andreas Friis-Lund

Administrator

Inspired by his daughter's transformative experience at a Montessori preschool, Andreas developed a deep appreciation for the impact of this philosophy on independence, self-confidence, and a love of learning. Embracing his wife's vision, he dedicated himself to creating a Montessori school where more children could benefit from this enriching education.

A graduate of the Swiss Academy of Hotel Management in Lucerne, Andreas has built a successful career in the hospitality industry, honing his organizational and operational management skills. He now applies this expertise to manage the school's day-to-day operations, ensuring a smooth and supportive environment where teachers can focus on guiding and nurturing each child's development.

Andreas can be contacted at 078 603 3131 or by email at admin@montessorilittlebirds.ch