Our Team
Maria Sorokina
Lead Guide
I was born and raised in Russia. I came to the United States in 2006 as a biophysics graduate student at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL and then continued my studies in Biophysics at Stanford. I graduated from Stanford University with the Master’s Degree in Chemistry. We are raising three children. When I first found a Montessori school for my oldest child, I was immediately drawn to its learning environment and the respectful and caring attitude of the teachers. I began to learn more about the Montessori philosophy and quickly realized that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. In order to share my enthusiasm for Montessori education with others, I organized courses for parents in the Stanford Community to discuss how the Montessori method could support their children's needs and prepare them for the future.In 2019, I graduated with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma, which is recognized around the world as a mark of excellence in Montessori education and prepared me to work with children between the ages of three and six. I then joined the Guidepost Montessori school at Palo Alto as a toddler guide, where I also led parent education series. After the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, I decided to homeschool my own children and founded the Sequoia Montessori school. In May 2023 I finished my MACTE training to become a certified 6-12 elementary guide and now I am guiding a mixed-age class of 14 children. Our home-based school is a unique space where homeschooling is combined with a private school type of organization, allowing for flexibility and freedom for the children to make their own discoveries.Marina Brevdo Eisenbud
Language Arts and History Guide
I’m Marina Brevdo Eisenbud. I am working with Maria as the English Language Arts / History teacher. I was born in the now-former USSR (in Belarus) and immigrated to the United States when I was 12 years old, settling with my family on the East Coast just as the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Over the course of my life, I have traveled to so many places and done so many different things, because I believe the world is full of incredible new experiences! Teaching in Montessori style is an extension of my explorations as a teacher and later, as a parent to two spirited kids who always want to lead the way and be treated with respect.I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Environmental Studies from Williams College, a small liberal arts school located in Massachusetts. I worked at an immigration law firm in Boston before transitioning to advocacy work for parks in New York City. Later on I moved to California in pursuit of my Master of Arts degree in Education from Stanford University, with an upper-school teaching credential in social studies. I have taught at several schools including The Girls Middle School (grade 7) in Palo Alto and Berkeley High School (grades 9-12). I have also run an academic after-school program, served as a private homeschool teacher for a middle school student with special needs, discovered my passion for Pilates (a system of exercise) and became a Pilates instructor. After having my own children, I spent several years at home with them, and in this way, came to teaching in the style of Montessori. I have been teaching my children Russian and English, and my love of life - and in everything else, they have become my greatest teachers.Nadya Smolsky
Art and Teacher Assistant
Hi, my name is Nadya Smolsky and I’m an artist originally from Minks, Belarus. I have partnered with Maria to work as a Teachers Assistant last year and now recast myself as an Arts teacher as well. With years of experience in the professional world, I have had the privilege of working on diverse projects, ranging from branding and marketing to interactive web design for companies across Europe and North America. After moving to the United States, and starting a family of my own, I’ve decided to reinstitute my skills to teach.
My hometown's vibrant culture and rich traditions helped me develop an appreciation for the arts at a young age. I decided to pursue my passion academically in Fine Arts. I first attended College of Fine Arts in Minsk, Belarus for four years to earn a Bachelor of Design, followed by five years at the Belarussian National Academy of Art University where I attained my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Industrial and Product Design. Prior to going into education, I started my own design company, Olive Studio, where I worked on a number of fascinating projects, such as publishing children’s books, design and decorating for different clients. I gained significant insight into the professional world of design by running business, and I also gained a deeper grasp of the creative and technical issues faced by the sector.
Outside the classroom, I am an avid traveler and photographer, always eager to explore new places and cultures. I enjoy spending time with my family, my poodle, love to cook and create floral designs and arrangements. These interests continually fuel my creativity and keep me connected to the broader world of art and design.Yana Filina
Teacher Assistant
My name is Yana, and I was born in the beautiful city of Odesa, Ukraine. Alongside attending public school, I spent 8 years at music school, which provided me with many cherished memories. I graduated from Odesa National University with a master’s degree in English and Spanish literature. I completed a teaching practicum at a public high school where I taught foreign literature to 10th and 11th graders.
For 7 years, I worked as an HR professional in a maritime agency. In 2017, my husband, our two children , and I moved to the United States for what we thought would be one year, but is has now turned into 8 years. When my son was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since then, I have dedicated much of my time to helping him adjust to our world, as well as researching and studying autism. Through this journey, I have met many wonderful people and helped build a supportive community for our families.
I have received extensive parent training in ABA therapy, as well as occupational and speech therapies. Raising two children with very different needs has given me a unique perspective on understanding diverse worlds. I believe that the Montessori approach caters to children of various personalities and needs, and I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of it.
My name is Leia, I grew up in China and furthered my education in the United States, where I received a Master's degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I also earned an AMI Primary Montessori Diploma from Montessori Northwest in Milpitas. For almost three years, I have worked at the San Jose Montessori School, where I have seen firsthand how Montessori education fosters independence, discipline, and courtesy among children. I firmly believe that a genuine Montessori approach can profoundly benefit individuals throughout their lives.
I am a mother of a four-year-old daughter and deeply enjoy playing and learning alongside children. I am convinced that a robust early childhood education is one of the most valuable gifts we can provide. I adhere to the philosophy that "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." Guided by this belief, I strive to ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, and dancing, those activities refresh me, allowing me to bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to my educational endeavors.