Our Team
Montessori Family Centre is supported by a dedicated team of educational specialists and wellness therapists who work together to nurture each child’s development as a whole person. Our professionals bring expertise in child development, education, and family wellbeing, creating an environment where learning, emotional health, and connection grow side by side.
Each team member is carefully chosen not only for their qualifications and experience, but also for their respect for children, families, and the individuality of every child. By collaborating across disciplines, we are able to support children’s learning journeys, while also caring for their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. As a team, we are able to meet the needs of families with care and respect and provide valuable support for new mothers and empower parents and the commuiy with hands-on skills and knowledge.
Together, we partner with families to create a calm, supportive, and enriching space where every individual feels safe, confident, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Michelle Mateus
Owner of Montessori Family CentreMontessori GuideMichelle found her passion in Montessori in 2000 and embarked on her Montessori training in the Montessori Institute of San Diego . After graduating in 2001 with an AMI 3-6 Diploma, she worked in a Montessori School in Oceanside, California. She returned to her home country, Singapore and gained valuable experience as a Lead Guide in a few renowned Montessori schools. During this time, she continued studying and obtained a Diploma in Educational Studies, specialising in Speech and Drama, Music and Movement and Creative Writing.
She later pursued a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies with Monash University and upon graduation, she led Montessori classrooms in Bali, Chiangmai and Wrocław before relocating to Cascais in 2020 to work in Lisbon Montessori School. It was in Cascais where she met Paulo and together, they established Montessori Family Centre in 2025.
Through dedication and a passion for learning, Michelle has built a remarkable career in Montessori education, inspiring many along the way and leaving a lasting legacy in every community she has touched. Michelle is a lifelong learner and is currently undertaking an Art Therapy course and has recently completed her AMI 0-3 Orientation course. She hopes to start her AMI 0-3 training soon.
Michelle speaks English, Mandarin and conversational Portuguese.
Paulo was born in Zurich, Switzerland, where he spent his formative years there. He and his parents moved back to Portugal when he was 12 after working in Zurich for 20 years. He continued his studies in the German School of Lisbon and then went on to study Architecture in the University of Lisbon. Although he graduated with an Architectural Degree, he decided to pursue video editing and took up a Diploma course in this field and went on to work as a video editor in Tagus Park.
Paulo met Michelle in 2022 in Cascais, Portugal and after they got married in 2024, he realised that Michelle’s greatest passion lies in Montessori education and in December 2025, together they established Montessori Family Centre in Oeiras where they also reside.
He is a dedicated husband who is an avid reader and loves baking. He speaks English, Portuguese and German and comprehends Italian and French.
Paulo Mateus
Owner of Montessori Family Centre
“I am Magalie, of French origin. I have been living in Portugal for eight years and for a year in Cascais, where I moved with the main aspiration of serving the local and international community of children and their families.
So I am happy and excited to join the team of the Montessori Family Center for a position of Montessori assistant! It's also a chance for me to develop my professional understanding of the Montessori method & philosophy after some webminars (0–3 Child: Who Are You?Understanding the development of the child from birth to three with Heidi Philippart, AMI 0–3 Trainer).
About me, I love supporting people in general and families, especially. I love caring and helping young children to develop their natural learning potential with creativity and joy in an inclusive environment where all feel welcome, have the opportunity to advance at their own pace and to be respected in their personal characteristics.
Above all, mother of a brave 8-year-old boy born with Down syndrome, by his side I have learned a lot about resilience, inclusiveness and independence!
I also have professional experience in a school environment, with young children and children with special educational needs. And for several years in France, I worked in an innovative family centre dedicated to families and parents, where they could receive support for all their family-related questions thanks to a team of professionals from various fields.
I believe my strengths are my empathy, my natural curiosity about others, my ability to encourage and identify the needs of those around me and my organisational skills to create a harmonious and supportive environment. I also possess strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills and I am a team player.
Finally, in my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my son, exploring the surrounding area alone or with my family, meeting new people, taking walks by the sea or in the countryside, dancing, and continuing to learn whenever I can.”
Magalie Naudé
Montessori Teacher Assistant
Almon is a women’s well-being practitioner with over a decade of experience in leading London studios. She brings a nurturing, expert-led approach to her work, focusing on supporting women through life's major transitions—ensuring they feel seen, heard, and physically capable.
At the Centre, Almon leads the Nurture & Connection Series, a 75-minute specialist programme designed specifically for the 'Fourth Trimester.' Each session is delivered through a unique three-part framework:
The Insight: Expert guidance on postnatal recovery and infant development. We discuss the "why" behind your baby’s milestones—from head control to rolling—and the science of rebuilding your own physical strength.
The Practice: A movement lab where mothers work on core and pelvic floor restoration and release physical strain like "nursing hunch," while babies engage in sensorial play and rhythmic movement to settle their nervous systems and aid digestion.
The Circle: A facilitated support space over tea and snacks. This is a dedicated time for honest conversation and peer connection, helping you move from the overwhelm of early parenting into a state of empowered confidence.
Almon
Women’s Well-being Practitioner 
Khyati Desai-Seltzer is the founder of Vyana Infant Massage LLC, where she supports families through the art and science of infant massage and traditional belly binding practices. Rooted in ancient indigenous wisdom and modern understanding of infant development and postpartum care, her work offers gentle, effective tools to support improved sleep, relief from gas and colic, stronger immunity, healthy digestion, deeper bonding, and overall growth and wellbeing for the mother.
As a mother herself, Khyati is passionate about empowering parents to care for mama and her babies with confidence, intention, and connection.
Khyati Desai-Seltzer
Postpartum Support CEIM (Certified Educator of Infant Massage)Belly Binding Matron (Trained in Bengkung. Belly Binding by Birth Matron)
River (formally Paulina) is a former midwife, paramedic, and public health advocate with over 16 years of experience in healthcare. She is the founder of URBANFAMILIES, a community-focused platform created to support families through the early, often vulnerable stages of parenthood.
Her professional background spans hospital work, home births, public health initiatives, and infant feeding advocacy. After 16 years living and working in London, UK, River relocated to Portugal nearly three years ago, bringing her international healthcare experience into a new community. Alongside her clinical experience, River brings lived experience as a parent, which deeply informs her calm, compassionate, and realistic approach to supporting families.
URBANFAMILIES was built from the ground up as both a resource for parents and a collaborative space for health professionals, including midwives, doulas, therapists, lactation consultants, body workers, and educators. At its core, the platform is about connection — creating a sense of community where families feel seen, supported, and less alone.
River specialises in Infant, Paediatric, and Adult First Aid, drawing on her dual training as a paramedic and midwife to deliver practical, evidence-based teaching in a supportive and approachable way. Her sessions focus on building confidence, clear decision-making, and calm responses in emergency situations.
As pets are an important part of many families, River also teaches Dog and Cat First Aid and is accredited in training aligned with the latest RECOVER veterinary CPR guidelines.
In addition to first aid education, River offers pre-birth preparation and hypnobirthing support, baby massage, infant feeding guidance, and holistic parenting classes. Her work blends clinical knowledge with emotional awareness, supporting families both practically and emotionally.
River’s intention is simple: to provide care and education that feels human, honest, and supportive. Whether teaching group courses or offering one-to-one support, she is committed to helping families feel more confident, connected, and calm.
Because caregiving — for babies, parents, and pets — is not meant to be done alone.
This is your village.
River
Infant & Paediatric First Aid ProviderEvgenia
Health & Leadership Coach, Art Therapist