Meet Our Staff

Cindy is the founder of The Child Unique and The Montessori Elementary School of Alameda (MESA), and has served as principal for over 30 years. She has several degrees in education, human development, spirituality, cultural studies and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley. Cindy has also been involved in public policy, representing Montessori schools in California. She is a published author and a national keynote speaker. Apart from her passion for education, Cindy is a singer and choir director in Novato and a mother of three adult children. Cindy speaks Dutch and Spanish.

Tiffani Battle has been a teacher for 12 years. She has a degree in Elementary Education, her Montessori Primary Certificate and an administrative certificate. She fell in love with Montessori after receiving her degree in education and has never been happier. She loves how Montessori fosters the whole child and teaches peace. She has been a site director, head teacher, toddler teacher and elementary teacher in her journey as an educator. She is the proud mother of 2 beautiful children (a boy and a girl) and she is excited to be a part of The Child Unique community.

Raina Ford was born and raised in Oakland, California. As the oldest child of five, she helped her mother with the younger siblings and learned early on that she wanted to work with children. She began assisting in a classroom setting in high school as a tutor and went on to pursue a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology. In her free time, Raina enjoys watching movies, reading and spending time with her family.

Frantz has a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in painting from the California College of the Arts in Oakland. He is a passionate painter and a mean cook. He is a devoted vegan who loves to laugh and learn about boundaries and compassion from others. Frantz loves sharing his wealth of artistic knowledge and being surrounded by different people who are doing what they love. This, in turn, helps to make him passionate about himself and his art.

Porshia has been a teacher here at The Child Unique since 2006, working as both a Pre-primary and Toddler Teacher. She has studied psychology and holds a certificate as a Lactation Consultant (through Alta Bates Medical Center). She is happy to have been accepted into the National University bachelor’s program for Early Childhood Development Multiple Subject Credential. Her current goals are the completion of her Montessori Infant/Toddler Credential and ECERS assessor through the Montessori Teacher Education Center.

Hurma Majid was born and raised in Pakistan. She was married soon after completing her Bachelor's degree in Commerce from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. Hurma is happy to have recently received an A.M.I Diploma from The Montessori Teacher's Training in Karachi, Pakistan. She likes to spend most of her time with her family, to include her four year old daughter and her husband, who is the source of inspiration for her. His support, trust and love has allowed her the confidence to become the person that she is today.

Mari is very excited to begin her 12th year with The Child Unique. She has a degree in Liberal Arts and Child Development and is currently completing her Montessori Early Education Credential. Mari is the proud parent of three beautiful daughters. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and going on adventures with her daughters and husband, Jon. She loves the family like aspect of The Child Unique and the peace education that is helping to make a better world.

Emma was born and raised in Paris, France where she obtained a Master’s degree in marketing. She moved to the U.S. in 2007, where she earned an MBA from the University of Maryland and worked for several years for Rosetta Stone managing a team of over 100 language teachers. Following the birth of her first child, she decided to become a teacher at a multilingual Montessori school. She now has three daughters and is working towards her Montessori teacher certification. During her free time, Emma enjoys photography and writing.

Cherefah is 23 years old and currently a senior at California State University, East Bay. She has two A.A. degrees, one in Liberal Arts and in one Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Since middle school, she has always known that she wanted to work with children as she enjoys watching and assisting children to grow and learn. She is looking forward to seeing each of them progress throughout the school year.

Katsuko Ono graduated from Hiroshima University in Japan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After working in the fashion industry for fifteen years, she changed careers and began studying education. She is very happy to be working at The Child Unique Montessori School. Katsuko used to practice Judo regularly and is a black belt. Currently, her interests are yoga, hiking and the arts.

Danilo is originally from Brazil and has been living in Oakland for the last ten years. He is proud to be the father of two beautiful and strong young girls, Lua and Alidia, ten and seven years old respectively. Danilo has enjoyed working with children for seventeen years and attended a Montessori school in Brazil. He became a Montessori teacher in the United States and teaches Capoeira, a dynamic Brazilian form of martial art and dance. He is both a musician and dancer and in his free time, likes to surf.

Fatma lived in Cario, Egypt before coming to the Montessori Elementary School of Alameda. Fatma has been working with children for 18 years. She holds a degree in Education and her Montessori Primary teaching credential. She has been a Montessori Guide at private schools in Egypt since 2008. Fatma is currently completing her Elementary Montessori credential. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling and working out.

Kwang, (Thitiyaporn) Sriprommasa graduated from Bangkok University in Thailand with a bachelor's degree in English. She recently completed her Early Childhood Credential at The Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies. Kwang enjoyed working at the Encinal and Pacific campus in past years and is looking forward to joining the Taylor campus this year.