Robert G. Riffner is a founding partner of the law firm Riffner, Barber, Rowden & Manassa, LLC. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Bob graduated with honors from Northern Illinois University in 1981, earning his Bachelor's degree in management/labor relations while minoring in economics. He graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa Law School in 1983. Through his career, Bob has handled matters in virtually every area of substantive law. Bob is also actively involved in the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and, for the past two years, has been the co-chairman of the Association's Civil Litigation Committee.  In addition to serving as president of the board of directors, Bob is also the school’s legal counsel.  He has two children who attend MSNH.

Delara Motlagh-Azaran is a Research Scientist in the Regenerative Medicine Group within the BioScience Division of Baxter Healthcare where she is involved in the development of novel cellular therapies for the treatment of disease.  Delara has authored several peer-reviewed scientific articles, presented at national academic conferences and invited meetings.  Prior to coming to Baxter, Delara was a postdoctoral fellow in vascular tissue engineering at Northwestern University where she received an Early Career Development Award and a Postdoctoral Research Grant from the American Heart Association.  She graduated (B.S.) from University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and received degrees in Biology (M.S.) and Physiology/Biophysics (Ph.D) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Delara’s daughter attends MSNH and her son attends Lotus Montessori.

Gene Barinholtz is a principal partner with Schaumburg-based Barinholtz & Horwitz, Ltd.  Barinholtz graduated from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, and currently resides in Algonquin with his wife and two children - both of whom went to the Montessori School of North Hoffman.  Barinholtz began his accounting career in 1981 when he started working in the corporate accounting department at Wilson Sporting Goods’ company headquarters in River Grove, IL. A year later Barinholtz left to join Wilmette-based Reicin & Pollack, a small accounting firm with a primary focus on tax and audit services. In January of 1988, Barinholtz and his long-time friend, Jeff Horwitz, founded Schaumburg-based Barinholtz & Horwitz, Ltd.

Mrs. Shelley Haskins has over 30 years experience in Montessori education.  She is a certified Directress for the primary level.  She has worked in the Northwest suburbs primarily at the 3-6 level, but also directed a 2-3 year class for four years and was the first directress in the MSNH infant program.  She spent eight years as a real estate broker during which time she helped secure the original Freeman site.  More recently, she was the Infant/Toddler Coordinator and the Administrative Coordinator at MSNH.  She has been on the Board of Directors since 1991 and is currently the Board Secretary.  Mrs. Haskins received her Illinois Director’s Credential in 2003 and became Lotus Montessori’s Site Director when the school opened in 2004.  Her love for Montessori comes from her belief in empowering children and her respect for the prepared environment.

Dr. Molood Naghibzadeh founded the Montessori School of North Hoffman in 1989 and Lotus Montessori in 2004 and still serves as the head of both schools.  She has over 40 years of teaching experience and is Montessori certified to teach Primary (ages 3-6) and Elementary (ages 6-9).  She has a Masters degree in Preschool Education from Shemiran University in Iran.  She also attended George Washington University and Texas Women’s University.  She completed her Ph.D in 1987.  Dr. Naghibzadeh is a mother of three and grandmother of four.

Sara Motlagh has been exposed to Montessori her whole life.  She was a Montessori child herself, attending Long Grove Montessori School, then later our elementary program.  Miss Motlagh attained her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University as well as her master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management.  Miss Motlagh is certified for 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-18 and is currently a Lower Elementary directress, Morals & Ethics teacher for Erdkinder, our Erdkinder Coordinator and the Educational Director of the school.  Having had Montessori so close to her heart, she strives to increase visibility for Montessori programs on a global level so that more children can benefit from the joy, peace, and love for learning that Montessori education instills in children. 

Shelley Haskins has over 30 years experience in Montessori education.  She is a certified Directress for the primary level.  She has worked in the Northwest suburbs primarily at the 3-6 level, but also directed a 2-3 year class for four years and was the first directress in the MSNH infant program.  She spent eight years as a real estate broker during which time she helped secure the original Freeman site.  More recently, she was the Infant/Toddler Coordinator and the Administrative Coordinator at MSNH.  She has been on the Board of Directors since 1991 and is currently the Board Secretary.  Mrs. Haskins received her Illinois Director’s Credential in 2003 and became Lotus Montessori’s Site Director when the school opened in 2004.  Her love for Montessori comes from her belief in empowering children and her respect for the prepared environment.