HMS Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Tanu

Head Teacher- Ms. Tanu

Please share a little background about yourself:

I grew up in sunny Arizona and later attended Rutgers University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics. After college, I spent several years working in the legal field as an immigration paralegal, which allowed me to support families in meaningful ways. But my heart kept pulling me back to where it all began, working with our future leaders, the children, of course! I’ve always been driven to help others. After seeing how important those early years are for building strong foundations, I realized that I could make the biggest difference by returning to my roots in early childhood education and Montessori.

What drew you to Montessori education, and how did you first learn about the approach?

You could say being an educator is in my blood! All of my grandparents in India were either professors or headmasters, and my mom is an AMI-trained Primary Guide who has been teaching for over 20 years and even owns her own Montessori school back in Arizona. I was lucky to be a Montessori child myself, and some of my happiest memories are from those years. As I grew up, I spent every summer helping my mom’s school, first as a peer leader, then her assistant, and eventually stepping into my own classroom as a lead guide after completing AMI training at the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies. Montessori feels like home to me, and I love carrying that legacy forward with my own students.

What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

My favorite part of being a teacher is witnessing those “lightbulb moments,” when a child discovers on their own, their eyes brighten, and you can see their confidence grow. It’s an incredible privilege to be part of that journey, knowing that you’ve helped create the environment where it could happen naturally.

What is your favorite area in the Montessori classroom?

The Sensorial area has always been my favorite. I love how the materials are designed to refine the child’s senses and lay the foundation for abstract thinking. There’s something so magical about watching children explore materials that help them refine their senses and discover patterns in the world around them. Each Sensorial material is scientifically and intentionally crafted and acts like a bridge between all other areas of the classroom, naturally connecting to Language, Math, and even Practical Life. The Sensorial materials lay such a strong foundation, giving children the tools to notice details, make comparisons, and carry that awareness into every other area of learning. It truly feels like the heart of the classroom, where so much curiosity and confidence begin to grow. Watching children explore with such concentration, whether it’s matching sound cylinders, grading colors, or building the Pink Tower, this area reminds me of the beauty and importance of learning through our senses.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Outside the classroom, I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying new foods. I recently got engaged, so wedding planning is in full swing! My fiancé and I also just moved into our first apartment together, which means I’ve been having fun adding ‘interior designer’ to my list of roles. Between being a teacher, a wedding planner, and a homemaker, I like to think we educators really can do it all!