Meet the Team
Founding Teacher Leader
Lixue Tu (Tutu)
Lixue Tu (Tutu), is a native Mandarin speaker and an enthusiastic bilingual educator. She holds a BA degree in English Language and Literature from China and an MA degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the United States. Experience with adult learners made her believe that true love of learning is shaped at a much younger age. She discovered that Montessori schools help children explore their own intrinsic interest in learning and develop lifelong learning skills. Tutu is also a mother of two girls, who are the motivation for her to become a Montessori guide and to open her own Montessori preschool. Her goal is to help raise independent, self-motivated, respectful and socially conscious learners. Tutu enjoys learning about different cultures and languages, and she is a big fan of foods from around the world. She loves living in New England and doing winter sports, as well as camping with her family in the summer. Tutu’s dream is to travel around the world and visit her students in different countries.
Teacher Leader
Hailey Moschella
Hailey Moschella was first introduced to Montessori education when her son began preschool. She fell in love with the philosophy; the way in which the child is respected, their independence and individuality encouraged, the environment truly belonging to the child, and the integration of peace education in the classroom. Hailey went on to complete her Montessori training from the Montessori Institute of New England and is passionate about the Wildflower Schools. In addition to serving as a guide for the children in the classroom, Hailey works in the community coordinating events such as Haverhill Art Walk and writes a food column for the local paper. She lives in Haverhill with her husband, two children and dog River. In her free time, Hailey enjoys walking in the woods and going to the beach.
Teacher
Nika Desir
Nika moved to the United States with her family from Haiti at a young age. Growing up in a multi-generational household, she values family connection more than anything else. She has been taking care of her 90-year-old grandmother since she started working. Her gentle, patient and loving presence in the classroom makes her a magnet to the children who need emotional support at school. During her free time, she enjoys walking, painting, Asian anime culture, cooking and baking.
Teacher
Blanca Velasco
Blanca Velasco moved to the US from Mexico. She has two Bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education and Physical Science from Mexico. Being an eager learner herself, she also brings in an international perspective of education to the environment at Wisteria. Our children love her Spanish lessons. In her free time, she enjoys walking, running, exploring the surroundings and meeting people, She also enjoys family time with her husband and her two cats.
Teacher
Renée Lemieux
A passionate guide within the field of education for 15 years, ages infancy to Middle School, Renée is on a mission to support the restructuring of the educational systems globally. She brings a calm and peaceful energy into the classroom and helps our children be self-aware. As a nature lover, rock climber, yoga instructor, SEL facilitator, and so much more, she finds great inspiration in holistically supporting the youth, families, and colleagues at Wisteria Montessori.
Our Board Members
Devanshi Desai
Vice President
Rachel McAlpine
Treasurer
Graciela Trilla
Founding Director