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“This then is the first duty of an educator: to stir up life but leave it free to develop.”

– Maria Montessori

Owner / Head of School Brooke Khawaja

As Director and owner of Hummingbird Montessori School, I am grateful for each child under our care and the trust that comes with it. My passion is working with children and my goal is to provide skilled and compassionate teachers, the best educational programs and the safest environment for your child and mine.

I have developed a 20-year career ranging from one-on-one work with children with disabilities, working in preschools and daycare facilities, and in head management positions at 2 Montessori schools. I studied Child Psychology and Elementary Education and have received numerous certificates with dozens of hours of education, business, and medical training.

Along with being a wife to a loving husband, my most important role is being the mother of three girls and one boy – two of whom attend Hummingbird right next to yours!

I am very excited to have your little Hummingbirds become part of our family and watch them fly off into the world.

Assistant Director
Marie Robles

My name is Marie Robles and I have had the pleasure of working with children for over 21 years. I love being able to have the chance to experience early childhood education in and out of the classroom. My very first experience working with children was at Montessori school where I fell in love with Montessori philosophy. I truly believe it gives us the tools to reach each child at their own pace and help them fall in love with learning. I completed my Associate Degree in 2013 and School Director Certificate in 2022. I am so happy to be a part of the Hummingbird family and especially a part of your child’s learning experience.

“What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.”

Chuck Grassley

Assistant Director Deanna Mackin

My name is Deanna Mackin and I’m excited to join the Hummingbird Montessori School as Assistant Director. I have worked in the early childhood field for 15 years as a teacher, trainer, and mentor coach and continue to grow in my passion for supporting teachers in providing the best care and education experience for little ones. I was born and raised in Montana and enjoy all things nature and outdoors.

I have recently moved to Texas and am excited to explore all the fun opportunities this area has to offer! When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 5-year-old daughter, Marlena. I also sew almost every day for her, testing and photographing sewing patterns for PDF pattern companies.

Education Director
Primary Class Lead – The Hummingbirds Melissa Jackson

My name is Melissa Jackson and I have had the honor of teaching young children for over 30 years. I am a mother of two beautiful adult children and newly blessed as a grandmother. I am a proud native Texan. My time is spent with my family and I enjoy cooking.

As a teacher and Educational Director, I believe in a very simple philosophy – every child needs to feel a bond between their teacher, then they will feel the freedom to explore their full potential. I believe Montessori teaching is important for young children because it allows them to grow and learn at their own pace as well as guide their independence.

Every day is a new experience not only for the child but to see their little faces light up when making a new discovery…that is the true beauty of teaching. My main focus is to provide a loving, warm, and welcoming environment for my children as well as their parents. I am looking forward to another new year and exciting new discoveries.

“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn”.
Maria Montessori

Primary Class Lead – Hummingbird 2 Shabnam Hafizi

My name is Ms.Shabnam Hafizi, Lead teacher of the Hummingbird 2 classroom. I grew up in India and moved to Houston in early 2001. Since then, I have passionately worked with children as it gives me immense joy to nurture them in their early years of development.

This is my second year at Hummingbird Montessori. I strongly believe in being calm and patient around children so that they find comfort in learning independently. My classroom goal is to have a happy learning environment through fun-filled activities, projects and songs.
Apart from teaching I love gardening, painting, cooking and exploring places.
In my free time I like to read and learn new skills.
I am extremely excited and looking forward to working with your child in the classroom.

“Respect all the reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them.”
Maria Montessori

Primary Class Lead – Hummingbird 3
Jyoti Grover

My name is Jyoti Grover. I was born and raised in India. I came to Houston after getting married in 2005. I have been teaching in Early Childhood and Montessori setting since 2013. Teaching in the early childhood setting gives me great joy! I am surrounded daily by eager minds and a unique love of learning. My special interests are music, dance and yoga. I’m blessed to be a mother of a wonderful teenager boy. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and cooking. I also enjoy learning new skills. I’m super excited to be a part of Hummingbird Montessori School.

As a teacher, I believe children are unique individuals, and they learn best when they feel secure, loved and valued. When they feel they are accepted and appreciated, they are free to take risks, make mistakes and learn from their errors and successes. I believe Montessori teaching is important because Montessori classrooms develop the child’s inner motivation to learn and children are encouraged to be independent.

“Do not tell them how to do it. Show them how to do it and do not say a word. If you tell them, they will watch your lips move. If you show them, they will want to do it themselves.” Maria Montessori

Pre-Primary Class Lead – The Chicklets
Jeni Velasco

My name is Ms. Jeni and I have been blessed to be in a Montessori setting for six years. At a very young age I knew I had a passion for early childhood education, and I began working in childcare at the age of 18. I am a firm believe that we should never underestimate the capabilities in a child. The sky is the limit, and we will continue to challenge and educate children so that they will have a solid base for their future. Your children are our future and I take pride in guiding and supporting them on our journey of learning.

Lead Teacher – Nestlings
Katie Jacoby

I’m Miss Katie and I am so excited to get to know everyone at Hummingbird Montessori and get to know each of your little ones! I feel truly blessed to be able to go to work every day and hang out with the coolest kids in the world. The kids I enjoy working with may be young, but I have seen them grow, listen, and make decisions that often leave me speechless and so proud. As their teacher, I promise to always be your child’s hug when they need it, to be their biggest cheerleader for even the smallest victories, and to guide them to be kind and compassionate towards others. My plan is to fill their days with adventure, art, and various activities that will challenge them and encourage them to believe that they can truly do anything they put their mind to.

If your child shows interest in something specific, let me know and I will do my best to incorporate it into learning. Your child is so special and capable; I ask that parents encourage independence and make sure their child is ready for the day. Let’s be a team and make this the best school year ever!

Infant Lead – Older Hatchlings
Ms. Hannah

Hello, my name is Ms. Hannah and I am the Lead Teacher of the Older Hatchlings Classroom. I have been working with children since 2017 and there is nothing I love more than seeing my students happy and excited as they learn something new! Watching them grow and develop over the years is one of my favorite parts of being a teacher!

I also have a young daughter who attends Hummingbird Montessori School, which allows me to feel and understand the joys and excitement that comes with learning and growing together. Thank you for entrusting your kiddo with me, I can’t wait to teach them!!!

“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so…get on your way!”
Dr. Seuss

Infant Lead – The Younger Hatchlings
Madison Griffin

My name is Ms. Madison. I am the lead teacher in the Younger Hatchlings classroom. I have been working with children since 2015 in childcare, home, and church settings. My passion is caring for children and helping them grow, learn, and play! It is truly an honor and joy to have that role in a child’s life.

My teaching philosophy is to foster each child’s unique strengths, interests, and burgeoning personalities through gentle guidance and learning modalities.

Primary Class Lead – The Hummingbirds 2
Colleen Alexander

Hello, my name is Colleen Alexander.

I have over 30 years of teaching experience with education of which 18 have been in a Private Montessori School setting. I enjoy reading dramatically, singing off key, and dancing off beat. I love creating poetry and accepting all decorating challenges. Super excited to be a part of the Hummingbird Team.

I am all for children blossoming into their own and mastering at their own rate. My philosophy in teaching is that I believe all children are able to flourish just by showing the child an inviting environment. My favorite quote from Maria Montessori is – “Play is the work of the child”. I look forward to all the play your child will have the opportunity to experience in my classroom.

“Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society” -Maria Montessori.

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– Maria Montessori

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