Sunrise Montessori School

The Heart of Sunrise Montessori

Our professional and resourceful staff are dedicated to the education, safety, and self-esteem of your children. Many of our teachers, some of whom have been with us for decades, have years of experience and a high level of educational training.  See our teaching staff profiles under "Classrooms" to learn more about our fabulous teachers!

Owners and Directors, Bonnie Hildebrand Sauer and Janice Tres, lead Sunrise with the help of Administrator, Lisa Toller.  In addition, our Administrative Assistant, Heidi Caberto, Site Manager, Melanie Oftedal, and Program Assistant, Rene' Hall, keep Sunrise humming smoothly.  Parents are encouraged to contact the office with any questions about the school, our philosophy or curriculum, to schedule observations, and to schedule childcare.


Office Staff Profiles

Janice.jpgJanice Tres
After receiving her Montessori training and teaching in San Ramon, Janice and her husband moved to Napa in 1979 to become part owners in Sunrise Montessori.  She spent 11 years in the classroom and has been a Director since 1987.  She holds a Montessori credential and a Master's in Education.  Both of her children attended Sunrise as toddlers and graduated from the elementary program.  Janice enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and attending plays and musicals.



Bonnie.jpgBonnie Hildebrand Sauer

Upon returning from a two-year teaching assignment with the US Peace Corps, Bonnie enrolled in the Montessori Teacher Training Program at the College of Notre Dame where she received a Montessori credential and a Masters Degree in Education.   Along with her husband, Chris, son, Luke and daughter, Chloe, Bonnie enjoys vacationing in Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and on just about any sunny beach.  She likes to read, attend ballet performances, musical theater, garden, and do a little watercolor painting.


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Lisa Toller
Prior to coming to Sunrise in February, 2009, Lisa was a marketing and communications consultant with NewLevel Group.  She attended the University of Wisconsin before moving west and receiving a degree in English from Sonoma State University.  A published writer, Lisa worked in journalism and public relations before becoming a commercial property manager for Stanford University. Her hobbies include hiking, yoga, gardening, cooking and spending time in Whitefish, Montana with her husband, Joel, and sons, Tyler and Sam.



Melanie.jpgMelanie Oftedal
Mel has worked at Sunrise since 1990 in a variety of capacities.  Currently, she is a teaching assistant in Maple and the school's site manager.  Her hobbies include whipping up gourmet meals (she is often joined by son, Tyler, a Sunrise graduate), gardening, traveling, and music.   At one time, Mel was a competitive 50-mile endurance rider -- on horseback!





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Heidi Caberto
Heidi joined Sunrise in June, 2009 and says she is thrilled to be at the school.  She has a degree in psychology from Cal State Long Beach and studied at National University in the teaching credential program.  Her number one passion is children, as evidenced by her two adorable children, Jack and Kyra.  She is a recent transplant to the Napa Valley where she worked at Whitehall Lane Winery in office administration, marketing, and customer service before coming to Sunrise.



IMG_1011.JPGRene' Hall
Originally from Detroit Michigan, Rene' has lived in Napa most of her life.  She has been married to her husband, John, for 29 years and they have two children, Heather and John.  Their daughter lives in Virginia, but they hope she will soon be moving back to California so they can spend more time with their grandson, Mason.  Their son, John, lives in Napa.