Anna’s love and admiration for her own teachers led her to pursue Early Childhood education. As she discovered the magic of Montessori, Anna developed a deep appreciation for the method. She has over five years of experience in a Montessori classroom working with both EC and toddler children. She is currently pursuing her AMS credential. She is eager to share in the joy of discovery and watch young learners grow. It is truly a privilege to be part of such an inspiring environment where every child’s potential is nurtured and celebrated.
Coco has been teaching for 14 years. She earned a B.S. in Commerce with a major in Management in the Philippines. In 2010, her interest in education and affinity for children brought her to HPMS, where she has been enjoying her role as Assistant Teacher in the Bridge and Early Childhood Programs. When she is not teaching, Coco enjoys ballroom dancing.
Gina holds a B.S. in Public Communications from Syracuse University and worked in NYC for over 16 years until she discovered the Montessori philosophy with her firstborn daughter when she was about 9 months old. Not only is she passionate about the Montessori philosophy in her home with her two young children, she completed her Infant-Toddler AMS Montessori certification through the Princeton Center for Teacher Education and is currently completing her Early Childhood AMS Montessori Certification though West Side Montessori. She has worked with children since she was young and when not in school, she spends time with her family, and enjoys running, traveling, eating and shopping (ideally second-hand).
Heather has been teaching for over 20 years. She has an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education/Special Education from Concordia College, an AMS Early Childhood teaching credential from West Side Montessori School, and a B.S. in Anthropology from Florida State University. Heather has over 20 years of education experience and has worked as both an archaeologist and tap dancer in the past. She has over 10 years experience teaching in a Montessori classroom, has been a supervising teacher for Montessori interns and has represented WSMS as a Field Consultant. Ms. Heather also serves as the HPMS Program Coordinator for Early Childhood. In her spare time, Ms. Heather really enjoys hiking and biking with her kids, who are also part of the HPMS family.
Jaclyn holds a B.A. from Montclair State University and an M.S. from New Jersey City University. She has furthered her expertise by obtaining an AMS Early Childhood certification from the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. With 14 years of experience at HPMS, where she also proudly serves as a parent, Jaclyn has a deep commitment to fostering a love of learning in a Montessori environment. She is thrilled for her three children as they continue their educational journey through the Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary programs, further enriching their growth and development in a nurturing setting.
Jing has been teaching for over 20 years. She holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Maryknoll College and earned her Certification in Education from the University of the Philippines. She completed her Montessori training and began her teaching career at the Operation Brotherhood Montessori Center in Manila, Philippines. Ms. Jing has been a Montessori teacher for 20+ years, beginning at the elementary level of Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, Oregon before she moved to New Jersey, where she focused on teaching at the early childhood level in 2002. Ms. Jing has been with HPMS since 2010. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Justine has a B.S. in Education from Bucknell University, where she focused on Elementary and Early Childhood. Ms. Justine has also studied ESL. She joined HPMS in 2010, and after one year of being an assistant, she decided to pursue her American Montessori Society certification through a training program at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education (PCTE). Ms. Justine has also served as a supervisor for new teachers who are pursuing their American Montessori Society (AMS) teaching certification. She is now entering her 16th year at HPMS and is delighted to be part of Willow Room. Ms. Justine loves to travel in her free time.
Lena has been working with HPMS’s dedicated Early Childhood team since 2019. Her adoration for child development flourished when she began working as an assistant at a Montessori school in 2002. This indelible experience inspired her to learn more about the Montessori philosophy and technique. Lena became certified in Montessori education with the Center for Montessori Teacher’s Education and moved on to receive her B.A. in Art Education (K-8) from Montclair State University.
Martha has been teaching for 24 years. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from her home country, Honduras, and a Montessori Certification from The Princeton Center of Teacher Education. With 24 years of experience in Montessori education, she has worked in both Bridge and Early Childhood classrooms. Martha is passionate about arts and crafts and enjoys sharing this enthusiasm with the children, also enjoys traveling and participating in Zumba. As a mother of four, she is proud that two of her children attended Montessori schools. She especially pleased that one of her sons has joined the HPMS staff in a technology role, and is thrilled that one of her grandchildren is also a student at HPMS!
Melissa has been teaching for 13 years. Her educational journey began at the San Fernando Technical Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, and her professional path included roles in Accounting and Business Management in her home country. After moving to the United States, she served as a Council Aide in Jersey City before discovering her passion for teaching. Driven by a deep commitment to addressing each child’s unique needs, she pursued her Montessori Teaching certification through the West Side Montessori Teacher Education Program (WSMS-TEP). Now entering her 13th year at HPMS, Ms. Melissa remains inspired by the learning process. In her free time, she loves traveling, exploring new places, and embracing the rich diversity of cultures around the world.
Tiffanie has been teaching for seven years. holds an M.A. in Art Education from New York University and a New York State Teaching Credential in Art Education. With extensive experience across various educational settings nationwide, she is currently completing her AMS Early Childhood teaching credential through West Side Montessori. Tiffanie’s background in the visual arts and her 14 years of teaching Hatha Yoga, specializing in adult beginners, reflect her commitment to holistic education. She is also a proud Montessori parent, with her son in the Lower El program at HPMS.
Zeynep has a B.A. in English Language and Literature at Bilkent University. After completing her undergraduate studies, she earned her TESOL certifications and began teaching, gaining four years of valuable experience working with children. Her journey eventually led her to discover the Montessori philosophy, where she developed a deep appreciation for its respect for the child and emphasis on independence. She is currently enrolled in the WSMS-TEP program, working toward her Montessori Early Childhood certification. Zeynep grew up in a family of teachers, where the love of education was a constant part of her life. She enjoys reading and singing with children and feels privileged to be part of an environment that nurtures curiosity, celebrates individuality, and helps each child’s potential unfold.
