River Yang is the founder and director of Montessori Plus International (established in 2015), one of the highest quality early childhood educational programs in Montana. She was honored with the Early Childhood Direct Service Award by Healthy Start Missoula in 2021. Recognized as Montana’s Highest Professional Level (Level 10) Early Childhood Practitioner, she is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator and Professional Development Specialist.

She holds a Ph.D. from the College of Health and Human Development at the Pennsylvania State University and has earned International Montessori Teaching Diplomas in Preschool/Kindergarten and Lower Elementary. Additionally, she has completed extensive graduate-level coursework in Early Childhood Education, Play, Human Development, and Family Studies. She also holds a Montana Preschool Teaching Certificate and both a B.Ed. and M.S. from a teachers’ university in China. A life-long learner, she enjoys reading, singing, playing the piano, gardening, dancing, ice skating, and spending time with horses.

Happily married to a wilderness scientist, she is the proud mother of two daughters.

Yang briefed National Press Foundation fellows in October 2024: Covering Child Care’s Role in Community Development.