Fallowfield Montessori Team Members
Li Qin Underdal
Managing Director
Ms. Underdal is a native of Beijing, China. She commenced her studies at Beijing Teaching University and is a graduate of Winchester School of Art, Southampton University, UK. A native Mandarin speaker, Ms. Underdal is also fluent in Cantonese and Shanghainese. She is a graduate of the AMI Primary program at the Montessori Institute of San Diego and holds a M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland.
After finishing her studies in England, Ms. Underdal lived in Denmark with her husband and son until they moved to the United States in 2000. Ms. Underdal has extensive experience teaching pre-school and elementary-aged children, and prior to her tenure with Fallowfield Montessori Schools was Montessori Head Teacher with LePort Montessori Irvine. She has also taught art and painting classes for both children and adults. Ms. Underdal enjoys exploring the nuances of language, culture, and art with her students, and likes to create a fun and playful experience for them. In her spare time she enjoys art and painting, and loves to travel with her family.
Lynn Li
Montessori Teacher
Ms. Li has been working in a Montessori environment since 2008. After receiving her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Washington State University, she worked at LePort Montessori Schools for over ten years. Ms. Li completed her AMI Primary training from Montessori Institute of San Diego in 2010 and obtained an M.Ed. in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland.
Ms. Li was born in Taiwan. Being able to speak both English and Mandarin, she had a great capacity to help children in both languages. Over the years, she has helped many children from different countries learn English and helped them adapt to the unfamiliar environment in the United States. Ms. Li also holds certificates of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language: Beginner Level).
Through her years of teaching in different Montessori settings, Ms. Li has understood the importance of how a prepared environment can stimulate children's interests in learning. When the children are comfortable with their surroundings, they learn to make choices and explore their work independently. Children learn best when the motivation comes from themselves, and through this process, they also develop independence and self-confidence.
Angeles Martinez
Montessori Teacher & Administrative Manager
Ms. Martinez came to our Irvine Mandarin campus originally as a substitute assistant teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish, an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and has a certificate in preschool education. During her years at LePort Irvine Mandarin, she was able to pick up on the Montessori classroom philosophy and structure, and even learn some Mandarin words along the way! Ms. Angeles is well-known in our campus community as somebody who is reliable, flexible and able to step into any environment (both toddler and primary). Over her time at our campus, we felt her organizational talents would be best utilized to oversee our aftercare schedule and environments. She has a great love for the children and is focused ensuring their safety and care on a daily basis.
Yang Fen
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Ms. Yang Fen, born in 1980, is a graduate of Nanjing University with a master's degree in business administration.Her interests include reading and traveling. She is currently pursuing a diploma course in Montessori early childhood education for 3-6-year-olds at AMS (American Montessori Society) and is expected to complete her studies by June 2023.
Demi Li
Piano and Music Theory Teacher
Demi is a a dedicated and passionate music educator whose expertise is grounded in a rich academic background and extensive experience. Demi holds a Master’s degree in Education from Columbia University, where she honed her skills in innovative teaching methods and educational theory. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of California, Irvine, where her journey in music began to flourish.
With a blend of rigorous academic training and practical experience, Demi brings a unique perspective to the classroom, inspiring students through a deep understanding of both educational strategies and musical excellence. Her commitment to nurturing young musicians and fostering a love for music is evident in every lesson she teaches.
Alex Huang
Sports Instructor and Basketball Coach
Alex is a new instructor who will be joining our Summer Camp to teach the Sports Theme this Summer. Alex has coached numerous sports leagues and camps with a wide variety of age groups. He is also an accredited Basketball Coach by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Alex is excited to join us this summer and introduce our students to Basketball and other sports!
Phyllis Landon
Montessori Teacher
Phyllis Landon is a native of California, and a life-long teacher. She graduated from the University of Southern California, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a minor in English and a masters degree in English Language Arts. She taught kindergarten through fourth grade, at various schools throughout the Covina Valley Unified School District, where she received the award for, “Best Teacher of the Year.” Phyllis fine-tuned her passion for teaching children, and she believes that children are able to learn best when they are taught in small groups, as each student has their own unique style of learning.
Phyllis has been married to her husband for the past 50 years. Together they have two children and two beautiful granddaughters, who fill their hearts with love and joy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family. Phyllis enjoys teaching at the Fallowfield Montessori School, and is deeply thankful for the opportunity to teach the next generation of brilliant minds.
Ivy Mo
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Ms. Mo was born and raised in China. She is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies at University of Washington, Seattle.
Ms. Mo realized her passion for Montessori education during her working experience at LePort Montessori Schools. She subsequently enrolled in the AMI certification program and successfully completed the AMI A to I (Ages 0-3) at the Montessori Training Center of British Columbia, Canada.
Her previous experience includes teaching as an after-school program tutor at Chinese Information and Service Center and an assistant teacher at Shoreline Bilingual Preschool. Also, she has worked as a lead guide at the Mandarin Campus of LePort Montessori Schools in Irvine.
Ms. Mo loves to work with children, their smiles are the best reward. She has always enjoyed experiencing and learning new things. She enjoys reading, hiking, and watching movies.
Alex Li
Assistant Montessori Teacher
With a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and a minor in Digital Arts from the University of California, Irvine, Mr. Alex is an experienced and passionate art educator. Having over three years of tutoring experience, Mr. Alex has worked with students of various age groups, helping them explore their creativity through different mediums and techniques. Mr. Alex’s background includes both traditional and digital art forms, providing a well-rounded perspective that enriches each lesson.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Alex is an accomplished artist, having completed and sold more than 40 commissioned pieces. This hands-on experience as a practicing artist allows Mr. Alex to bring real-world insights into the classroom, guiding students not only in technical skills but also in fostering their personal artistic voice. Whether teaching young children the basics of drawing or helping more advanced students refine their skills, Mr. Alex is dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment for all students.
Shaoyun Wang
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Shaoyun Wang holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Shan Dong Teacher’s University and a Master’s degree from Beijing University. She began her career as an English teacher at Yantai University and later taught at the Shekou Training Center in Shenzhen. Shaoyun's extensive professional experience includes roles in international business, where she provided translation and interpretation services for foreign companies and assisted expatriates in navigating everyday challenges.
With a strong background in customer service and relationship management, Shaoyun has worked with China Merchants Real Estate and the Overseas Investment Department of China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Co., Ltd, focusing on business negotiations and international partnerships. Her diverse experiences enrich her teaching approach, fostering an engaging learning environment where students can confidently develop their English language skills for global contexts.