Director

Ms. Katie has been an integral part of the Hoboken Montessori School community since its inception in 2011. With over 18 years of experience working alongside young children, Ms. Katie has a deep understanding of the Montessori philosophy and approach to education. As a Montessori child herself, she brings a unique perspective and passion to her work.

 

After earning her undergraduate degree in Marketing from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia in 2007, Ms. Katie joined HMS as an Assistant Teacher. She quickly discovered her love for the Montessori teaching method and obtained her Infant/Toddler AMS certification from West Side Montessori School in Manhattan. For five years, she served as a Head Teacher in both Toddler programs, providing her students with a nurturing and enriching learning environment. In 2018, Ms. Katie stepped into the role of Assistant Director, bringing her expertise in Montessori education and her dedication to the school's mission to the leadership team. Her commitment to providing every child with a high-quality education and supporting families through their journey at HMS has made her a valued member of the school community.

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In 2020, Ms. Katie was appointed as the Director of HMS, further solidifying her commitment to the school's success.  Her passion for Montessori education and her leadership skills make her a respected and beloved member of the HMS community.

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Director of Admissions 

Ms. Kendra's passion for education started with her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salisbury University in Maryland.  Her experience as a teacher spanned various grades in the public school system, from Kindergarten to Third grade. However, it was her own experience as a student in a Montessori school that sparked her interest in the Montessori method, leading her to obtain an Early Childhood credential for children between the ages of 3-6 from West Side Montessori School in NYC, as well as a Preschool-Grade 3 NJ Teaching Certificate.

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Ms. Kendra's dedication and passion for teaching and working with young children led her to join HMS in 2013 as a Lead Primary Teacher. Her years of experience and Montessori training made her an asset to the school, and she was appointed Assistant Director in 2020 and Director of Admissions in 2022. In her current role, Ms. Kendra works closely with the Director to ensure that the school's admission process is efficient and effective and that each family's experience is personalized.

Director of Operations

Meet Ms. Sondra, a seasoned professional who joined the HMS team in 2022, bringing over two decades of experience in both corporate and educational environments. Throughout her career, Ms. Sondra has focused on serving children and their families from the early years of preschool up to high school, in both public and private school settings. Her unwavering commitment to cultivating strong relationships with staff and families has been instrumental in creating a harmonious and collaborative atmosphere. Sondra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from St. Elizabeth University and has also worked as a coordinator for high school exchange students, providing valuable opportunities for global education.

Assistant Director

In 2023, Ms. Alex became a member of the HMS team as the Assistant Director. Her background brings a unique Montessori perspective, having been a student at a Montessori school from preschool until 6th grade. Following her graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Penn State University in 2016, Ms. Alex delved into the sports television industry for a span of 5 years. Despite her time in this field, she found herself yearning for the gratification of working in education once again. This led her back to her origins, and for the past two years, she has thrived as an administrator at a Montessori school. Her dedication prompted her to acquire an Early Childhood Montessori certification from the North American Montessori Center in 2022. 

Primary Head Teacher

Ms. Gen joined HMS in 2020 and is a cherished member of the HMS family. Having been a Montessori student herself, she deeply values the Montessori approach and its ability to foster a child's passion for learning.  Ms. Gen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University and has earned her Montessori certification in Early Childhood (3-6). Ms. Gen's dedication to nurturing the holistic development of each child is palpable every day as she guides, encourages, and empowers them on their exciting and meaningful journey.

Primary Head Teacher

Meet Ms. Houria, a highly experienced educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. She embarked on her career by earning a Bachelor's degree in Education from University Hassan II in Morocco in 1994, specializing in teaching learning strategies in the foreign language classroom. Ms. Houria's passion for teaching led her to explore alternative teaching methods, and she became particularly interested in the Montessori approach. To enhance her teaching skills, she obtained a Montessori Certification from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York in 2007. In addition to her native Arabic, Ms. Houria is fluent in English and French, enabling her to communicate effectively with a wide range of students and families.

Primary Head Teacher

Meet Ms. Katja, an accomplished educator who started her career by earning a degree in Early Childhood from Ochsenfurt State School for Teacher Education in Germany. Her passion for teaching and desire to foster a comprehensive education for children led her to study Montessori philosophy. In pursuit of her goals, she earned her AMS Early Childhood Credential from the Institute of Mercer County CC and commenced her Montessori career as an intern at HMS in 2011. Witnessing the remarkable effectiveness of the Montessori method and materials, Katja has developed a deep conviction in the value of the prepared environment, which facilitates creativity, independent learning, and a sense of belonging for all children. 

Primary Head Teacher

Ms. Victoria has been a part of our HMS community since 2012. In 2016, Ms. Victoria received her Montessori certification from West Side Montessori School in New York City, further deepening her commitment to the Montessori philosophy and approach to education. In addition to her work as an educator, Ms. Victoria is an accomplished artist in her own right. She brings her passion for the arts and her own creative experiences to her teaching, inspiring her students to explore and express their own creativity in new and exciting ways.

Primary Head Teacher

Ms. Xiomara always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and pursued this passion with dedication and enthusiasm. Growing up in Hudson County, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education with a Minor in Psychology and Sociology from William Paterson University. Her journey in education took a significant turn in 2021 when she was introduced to the Montessori method, quickly developing a true love for it and going on to obtain her Montessori Certification. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is known for her passion, joy, love, patience, and creativity. Ms. Xiomara strives to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for her students. Outside the classroom, she enjoys music and dancing, bringing an element of fun and rhythm to her teaching style.

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Head Teacher

Ms. Elvia's journey with HMS began when she joined us in 2016 gaining valuable experience in all our programs. Her Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance and Music Business and Management from Berklee College of Music has equipped her with a creative and innovative approach to teaching, which she incorporates into her classroom practices. She is currently working towards earning her Infant/Toddler AMS certification from the West Side Montessori School in Manhattan. Her fluency in both English and Spanish has also been an asset in connecting with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and promoting inclusivity.

Head Teacher

Ms. Brittney brings a radiant energy to HMS with her engaging presence. She became a part of our HMS community in 2021 as an Assistant Teacher and swiftly developed a deep affinity for the Montessori philosophy. She has since obtained her Montessori certification with a focus in children aged 0-3 years. Leveraging her expertise in theater arts, Ms. Brittney enhances the classroom ambiance, fostering a lively and joyful setting where children are brimming with happiness. Her deep understanding of Montessori principles and philosophy is invaluable to our community.

Head Teacher

Ms. Daniela Garcia, a native of New Jersey, was born and raised in the Garden State. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from New Jersey City University. Her journey in Montessori education began in 2020, and she later obtained her Montessori certification from the North American Montessori Center. Ms. Daniela became a part of the HMS community in the Spring of 2022. Outside of her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Daniela finds joy in reading and cherishing quality moments with her family. 

Head Teacher

With over 15 years of teaching, Ms. Mzima is a seasoned Montessori professional. She possesses specialized expertise in working with our youngest students, demonstrating unwavering commitment to crafting lessons that align with each child's pace and interests. In 2019, she obtained her Montessori Certification focusing on children aged 0-3 years from Westside Montessori School in NYC. Apart from her dedicated teaching role, Ms. Mzima takes pleasure in traveling, indulging in tasty cuisine, and treasuring meaningful moments with her family and friends.

Head Teacher

Since joining our HMS family in 2022, Ms. Rebecca has been a treasured member of our team. With over five years of diverse educational experience, she came to us as an Assistant Teacher, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Music from Sarah Lawrence College and is currently pursuing her Montessori certification for ages 0-3. When she's not at HMS, you might find Ms. Rebecca on the tennis court or playing a musical instrument.