Hema Jagada I AMS-EC
Montessori Coordinator
Shelton School & Evaluation Center
When I was looking for a school for my son, I had merely heard of Montessori, and I was not prepared for the life-altering impact of a philosophy that so closely aligned with my core beliefs.
As I learned more, I knew this was a place where I wanted to belong. The schedule also offered the balance my family needed, so I left corporate finance and began my AMS Montessori Early Childhood training while expecting my second child.
My inspiration was truly ignited during that training. Learning about Maria Montessori’s deep reverence for the natural development of the child, I felt an immediate, profound connection to her wisdom. When my instructors spoke about peace as the ultimate goal, I realized Montessori was not simply a different way of teaching—it was part of a much larger mission.
Learning about Maria Montessori’s deep reverence for the natural development of the child, I felt an immediate, profound connection to her wisdom.
The first classroom I entered after my training required me to implement strong systems and structures. I quickly learned that creating a prepared environment wasn’t just about arranging materials on shelves—it was about creating a space where children could experience order, independence, consistency, belonging, and safety.
I was then fortunate enough to become part of a school community that truly followed the child and fostered a strong connection to nature. These experiences deepened my understanding of what Montessori could offer children when the philosophy was lived authentically.
As a trained guide, I learned to observe children through the lens of Montessori philosophy, pedagogy, and child development. Those observations informed my instruction, allowed me to follow the child, and helped me build strong partnerships with families.
At the same time, my own children were growing alongside my work, and Montessori became deeply personal. I began to see the child differently—not simply as a student to be taught, but as a human being with an innate capacity to develop, contribute, and become who they were meant to be.
As a parent, I found myself asking different questions. How well does my child’s teacher truly know them? Are they happy, safe, understood, and valued? I came to understand that children learn best when they are calm, secure, and genuinely happy at school. Those questions became the foundation for the kind of guide I wanted to be.
Over the years, I came to appreciate the profound freedom Montessori offers children—freedom within limits. It gives them opportunities to make meaningful choices, develop grace and courtesy, and resolve conflict peacefully. Learning unfolds in the most natural and meaningful way. These are not simply classroom skills. They are skills for life.
As my children have grown—one now a college graduate, the other approaching high school graduation—my own Montessori journey has continued to evolve.
Through my work with the AMS Emerging Leaders Fellowship and the AMS Innovation Fellowship Think Tank, I explored teacher preparation through the lens of andragogy, or how adults learn. That experience helped me identify a new passion: teacher education.
Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave the classroom, and today, I serve adult learners at Shelton Montessori Training as the Early Childhood Program Coordinator—an instructor, field consultant, and mentor to our Early Childhood cohorts, while also supporting our Administrator, MACAR, and MIE programs.
My role lets me contribute to the evolution of our programs, partner with schools on implementation, and support our outreach and marketing efforts, along with presenting at conferences nationally, regionally, and locally.
My work has also expanded beyond teacher preparation. I am fortunate to serve on the board of Texas Education and Advocacy for Montessori (TEAM), where I advocate for greater accessibility to Montessori education for all children. Through this work, I am surrounded by changemakers who are advancing equity and creating greater opportunities for children and families to experience the transformative power of Montessori education.
The experiences I have had as a parent, a guide, and a teacher educator have continued to deepen my practice. The spark lit during my training so many years ago still inspires me to carry this mission forward. Looking back, I realize my journey began with a very personal question: Where would my son be happy and thrive? I could not have known then that searching for the right school for my son would lead me to a lifelong calling.
Montessori gave me a new understanding of education, but more importantly, it gave me a sense of purpose. It taught me to look more deeply at the child, to value independence and human dignity, and to understand that education is about far more than academic achievement. It is about preparing human beings to participate thoughtfully in the world. Ultimately, it is about the belief that when we understand, respect, and honor the child, we are not only supporting an individual life – we are contributing to the possibility of a more peaceful world.
Were you inspired by Hema’s story and would like to take the next step to earn your Montessori teaching credential? Join us at the Montessori Pathways Career Fair on September 17 at 1:00 p.m. EDT to learn about becoming a credentialed Montessori Educator. This free virtual event will include informative sessions, Q&A segments, useful resources, and much more!