Our Staff

Parisa Kelly

info@starlightschool.com
Parisa is the owner of Starlight School. She holds a California teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Parisa and Starlight Montessori Preschool are both members of the American Montessori Society as well as the Bay Area Montessori Association.Parisa holds a Montessori Primary certificate through Fountainhead Montessori and Cal-State East Bay.

She has owned Starlight School since 1998 and has worked as a Montessori teacher since 1996. She has served as a teacher in public elementary schools, a provider of in-home child care, and a behavior specialist for a private school.


Julie Daigle

Julie is a Teacher, Energy Healer, and Writer

She attended the University of Farmington, Maine and holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

Her teaching career as a Montessori teacher began in 1983.

Julie spent 10 years teaching, directing and expanding the Toddler program at Growing light Montessori School in Berkeley. 

She later became sole owner of Kensington Montessori school furthering her education in the development of a Montessori environment. 

Julie took a sabbatical from teaching for several years to focus on becoming a Reiki Master and writer. 

She has now been a member of Starlight Montessori School as Head Teacher and Co-director since 2015. 


Halima Buksh

I started teaching after receiving my BA in English linguistics in Morocco, and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from North American Montessori Center NAMC from BC, Canada. I enjoy teaching and working with young children. I believe that early childhood education is so important, because it is the time when a child is shaping his/her personality, develop order, concentration and independence.

I worked as a head teacher with children ages 3-6 for 5 years in a full Montessori school and an inspired American Montessori pre-k in Morocco before I moved to the states. I also have been teaching Arabic, art and craft to students ages 8-14 years old.

I cherish quality time with my family (Husband and daughter), and in my free time, I enjoy baking, traveling, nature and arts and craft.

I am very excited to be part of the Starlight Montessori team!