By Lilly Cheng

Located in Berkeley, California, Global Montessori International School (GMIS) is a bilingual Montessori school founded 19 years ago by Vivi Teng. With a strong commitment to Montessori education and bilingual learning, GMIS provides children with a nurturing environment where they can learn, explore, and grow with confidence.

Vivi Teng was born in Taiwan and grew up as the youngest of nine children in a large Hakka family. Although the family had limited material resources, they were rich in love, hard work, and togetherness. Her hardworking mother and lively, talented father helped shape her generous and warm personality.

Growing up in the countryside, Vivi often worked in the fields with her parents. She learned to be independent, resourceful, and creative, making her own toys and using leaves and bamboo sticks to write and create. These simple childhood experiences nurtured her curiosity, imagination, and love of nature.

Today, these values are reflected in GMIS, where she brings nature, exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning into the classroom. Her childhood experiences became an important foundation for her educational philosophy and her vision for nurturing the next generation.

I dreamt that one day I would open a bilingual Montessori school that incorporated the values of the Montessori philosophy and emphasize the value of a demographically diverse community.

- Vivi Teng -

Vivi began her career in education in Taiwan, first teaching at a bilingual international school. Two years later, she became the Director of a bilingual preschool and founded a bilingual school, gaining valuable experience in teaching and school management.

In 1998, she came to the United States to further her education and studied Montessori education at Saint Mary’s College, earning a Master’s Degree in Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She also taught Chinese at Pacific Rim International School while pursuing her doctoral studies.

In 2004, Vivi founded an English Language Program in Berkeley for international students. With a passion for education and years of experience, she continued to work toward her dream of creating a bilingual Montessori school.

In 2007, she founded Global Montessori International School (GMIS) in Berkeley, providing children with a nurturing environment that combines bilingual education, Montessori learning, nature, and independence.

Global Montessori International School 全球蒙特梭利國際學校

Global Montessori International School (GMIS) is a Montessori preschool in Berkeley, California, dedicated to early childhood education and bilingual learning. The school combines the Montessori approach with an immersive English-Chinese environment, providing children with a safe and supportive place to explore, learn independently, and develop language, social skills, and confidence.

The Montessori curriculum encourages hands-on learning and self-selected activities. Along with practical life skills, language, math, and sensory activities, children naturally learn both English and Mandarin Chinese, with no prior Chinese experience required.

GMIS primarily serves children ages 2 to 6 in small, mixed-age classrooms, where children learn from and support one another while developing independence, responsibility, cooperation, and social skills.

GMIS offers a variety of enrichment activities, including art, dance, and outdoor exploration, as well as extended after-school care to support different family needs.

The school’s garden and outdoor spaces are also important learning environments. Children can plant and care for flowers, vegetables, and other plants by watering, weeding, and harvesting. They can also observe and care for gentle animals such as chickens, goats, guinea pigs, and rabbits, learning about nature, kindness, and responsibility.

Through outdoor activities, children have opportunities to explore, play, share, and work together. These hands-on experiences reflect an important part of the Montessori approach—learning by doing and experiencing.

❓ Tell us about your childhood.

I grew up in the countryside of Xinwu, Taiwan. We are Hakka, and my parents were farmers. From a young age, I worked in the fields with them. I loved growing vegetables, melons, and fruit. We also lived near rivers, lakes, and the ocean, so I enjoyed catching fish and shrimp.

❓Tell us about your family.

I grew up in a large family of farmers. We were very close and lived together as three generations. We shared a simple, hardworking, and happy life.

❓Why did you establish GMIS?

I founded GMIS because I love education.

❓ Who has influenced you the most?

My mother has influenced me the most. She was hardworking, thrifty, and caring. I watched her work hard and treat others with kindness.

❓ When are you happiest?

I am happiest when I go fishing and spend time by the ocean. I also loved spending time with family and friends in the countryside when I was young.

❓ What three words best describe you?

I would describe myself as hardworking, generous, and dedicated.

❓ What are your guiding principles in life?

I believe a true leader is someone who serves others. This is what I call servant leadership.

❓ If you had a free day, what would you do?

I would enjoy spending time on the farm, watching the fruit trees and vegetables grow. I am also expanding nature-based learning at my school. We have two goats, ten chickens, a guinea pig, and fish, as well as vegetables and tomatoes. The children can use the eggs and tomatoes to make scrambled eggs, make salads with fresh lettuce, and even bake cakes.

❓ What meaningful advice can you give to young people?

I hope young people will have the courage to pursue their dreams.

World-renowned investor Warren Buffett once shared in an interview that when asked, “What are the most important qualities a person should have?” his answer was curiosity, courage, and respect.

These three precious qualities can all be clearly seen in Hsiu-Jung Teng. She remains humble, maintains a strong curiosity about the unknown, and treats every person with genuine respect.

Because she possesses these three rare qualities, I believe that no matter what field she chooses to pursue or what challenges she faces, she will be able to carve out a path to success of her own.

As the Chinese saying goes, “It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to nurture a person.” For many years, Principal Teng has remained true to her original commitment to education. She has carried forward the work of those who came before her, embraced responsibility with courage, faced difficulties without hesitation, and personally devoted herself to every stage of the school's development. Her hard work and dedication have not only helped build a school but have also touched the lives of generations of children.

As Chilean poet, educator, and 1945 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Gabriela Mistral (1889–1957) wrote in her poem His Name Is Today.

It has been a great honor for me to have the opportunity to accompany her through this journey of challenges and growth. I sincerely wish Principal Teng continued growth and renewal, and may she reach ever greater heights in the years ahead.

We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the time his bones are being formed, his blood is being made, and his senses are being developed. To him we cannot answer 'Tomorrow,' his name is today.

-Nobel Prize–winning poet Gabriela Mistral (1889–1957)