Founded in 2009, the Crescent Montessori School of Silicon Valley provides a fully implemented Montessori environment. All of our Lead Teachers are formally educated in the Montessori Method and must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Crescent Montessori offers programs for children 2 years through Kindergarten.
My daughter has attended Crescent for 3 years since she was a Pre-Primary. Her teachers have always been patient and dedicated. The director and staff have been caring and loving. It continues to amaze me how my daughter has grown and learned so much since she started at Crescent. We are thankful to have found a program that allows my child to be eager to learn, be creative and self-dependent. We did not hesitate to let our daughter continue in the Kindergarten program at this school because we know she will continue to flourish!
I live in Cupertino School District (one of the best in California) and I chose to send my daughter Emmy to Crescent Montessori for Kindergarten. I am so happy that my husband and I made this choice. Emmy receives personalized attention from two fabulous teachers who are caring and responsive. For example, at the formal conference in the fall, her teachers shared samples of Emmy’s work and we came up with a plan to tailor the homework and spelling test to her level. I saw the changes right away in her homework folder. Informally, they bring any issues to my attention so that we can address them quickly as a team. Emmy gained confidence being one of the older children in the classroom and all the perks that came from being a third year student. The younger children look up to the older children in the classroom and lean compassion and responsibility from helping them in the classroom. The monthly field trips give them a chance to explore the community with their peers. I am amazed at how much and what Emmy learns. She talk about the solar system, volcanoes, practices math at the dinner table, and eagerly does her homework. She is truly thriving and maturing in this third year and I am confident that Crescent is giving her the best head start possible.
Head of School
Ms. Jea has been working with children for over 8 years, and every single day she finds her career fulfilling and enriching. She received her AMS Montessori Credentials in May 2018 and is on track to receive her BA in Early Childhood Education in 2020.
She began her journey at Crescent Montessori School as an assistant in the Pre Primary community in 2015. Shortly after she was promoted to the Primary community, and then eventually promoted again to Lead Guide in Van Gogh in 2016. She was deeply inspired by the Montessori philosophy on how children are more likely to become self-reliant and capable learners when in a prepared environment. With a more interactive approach and a peaceful atmosphere, she discovered that children develop their love of learning, which is essential to becoming a more successful adult. It is this method and approach to learning that drives Ms. Jea to be more passionate.
Working at Crescent Montessori school has opened her eyes to the capability and potential children have when given the chance to learn independently. In 2019 Ms. Jea was once again promoted, this time as the Head of School. She is now taking all she learned as a Lead Guide to ensure that each child and family has a wonderful experience at Crescent Montessori School. Ms. Jea and her team are committed to helping children develop their own capabilities and reach their fullest potential.
Assistant Head of School
Ms. Annie was born on the island of Oahu in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to Mountain View, California when she was 2 years old.
She first joined Montessori School of Silicon Valley in 2010 as an Assistant Teacher at Crescent Montessori, but after just 6 short months she was promoted to Assistant Director. Ms. Annie is now the Operations Manager at MSOSV and helps maintain important tasks for all of our campuses, while still providing Assistant Head of School support at Crescent Montessori.
Growing up, Ms. Annie learned to love working with children as she always enjoyed taking care of her younger family members. Prior to working at Crescent Montessori, Annie began working in the educational field in 2006. To gain a better understanding of the Montessori philosophy, Annie invested in many Montessori classes, as well as earning Early Childhood Education units from Ohlone College.
Watching the children in her community grow to be independent individuals and witnessing their little personalities blossom is something that Annie takes to heart and loves to be a part of. Her favorite part about working in our schools is seeing the children get excited over all the little things that happen throughout their day at school. It also always brightens her day when she receives the most random drawings from the children.
In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, being outdoors with her fur baby, and doing various arts and crafts on her Cricut machine. She also loves singing in the car, especially to Disney songs, Glee songs, old school 90s and R&B songs. Lastly, anyone who knows her knows that she loves her Bay Area sports teams! She is a die-hard Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and San Jose Sharks fan!
Lead Primary Guide
Monet Community
Ms. Sujata started working with the Montessori School of Silicon Valley in November 2021 as an Assistant at our Main Street location. Having embraced her passion for early childhood education, Ms. Sujata became a Studio Lead before becoming Primary Lead Guide of the Monet Primary Community in May 2023. Prior to joining this organization, her journey began in India, where she dedicated three years volunteering at a preschool. Additionally, she actively participated in a non-governmental organization (NGO), contributing her efforts to the food bank and providing essential medical resources to underprivileged children.
To enhance her knowledge and skills in child development, Ms. Sujata pursued child development units at Mission College. She is currently enrolled in the Montessori Primary Credential program at MTEC, furthering her commitment to delivering quality Montessori education.
Ms. Sujata’s heart has been captured by the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes a child’s direct learning, fostering independence and freedom within set boundaries, allowing them to develop at their own pace and nurture their unique potential. She was drawn to this profession because of the appeal that no two days will be the same when working with children. Encouraging and motivating them in their learning journey brings her immense joy, especially when witnessing their triumphant moments like writing their first letter independently or completing a challenging puzzle. The sheer delight on their faces makes every effort worthwhile.
During her free time, Ms. Sujata finds solace in activities like meditation, long walks, and hiking, which bring her a sense of calm and tranquility. She recently embarked on a musical adventure by acquiring a ukulele and is teaching herself through online tutorials. However, her most treasured moments are spent with her 12-year-old daughter. A unique aspect about Ms. Sujata is her ability to find joy and establish meaningful connections with individuals of all ages. Whether conversing with a two-year-old or an octogenarian, she derives equal delight from engaging in conversations that can span hours. This quality allows her to appreciate the diverse perspectives and wisdom that people of different ages have to offer.
Lead Primary Guide
Van Gogh Community
Ms. Kaho took her first step into the world of teaching in high school when she decided to join a program called Teaching Academy during her Junior and Senior year. Since then, she has always known that education was her true calling. After graduating from her high school, she earned her ECE units from California College of Early Childhood Education in 2017 and is on track to receive her Primary Montessori credentials at the Montessori Teacher Education Center.
She has been working with children for almost three years and first joined the MSOSV community at our Crescent Montessori location in January 2018 as a Floater Teacher, before she was promoted to the Primary community as an assistant teacher in 2019. Then eventually she was promoted to Lead Guide of our Maple community at our Main Street Montessori location in 2020. With the closing of Main Street, we are so excited to welcome Ms. Kaho back to our Crescent Montessori location.
Ms. Kaho is drawn to the Montessori method because of its emphasis on concrete, child-directed learning, and building confidence, self-sufficiency and resilience through education. The powerful meaning behind the Montessori philosophy makes her strongly believe that children are born with an innate desire to learn and explore the world around them, and how each child has certain gifts that are their own. She has also been inspired by many great teachers and children in the Montessori community and how they model respect, patience, and kindness to each other. She hopes to implement what she has learned from them and the Montessori philosophy into her Maple community.
Other than spending her time looking for new ideas on Pinterest and shopping for classroom materials at Michaels, she enjoys reading or writing short novels at her desk with a cup of tea and her family dog, Luna, taking a nap on her lap.
Lead Primary Guide
O’Keeffe Community
Ms. Hannah is the Lead Primary Guide in the O’Keeffe Community at Crescent Montessori School.
She has been teaching at Crescent Montessori since 2011 and recently obtained her AMS Montessori Certification in Primary Education and Early Childhood.
Her Montessori journey began at Crescent as an assistant in the Pre-Primary community. After several years in that community, she began working with the Primary age children in the Monet community and then moved to the O’Keeffe community.
She enjoys working with children to help them develop their growth and independence.
She is enthusiastic about being a member of the Crescent Montessori community and having the opportunity to work with the wonderful staff and children.
Lead Pre Primary Guide
Cassatt Community
Ms. Alejandra has been working at Crescent Montessori for almost 5 years and is currently the Lead Pre Primary Guide of the Cassatt community. She started as an assistant for both Pre Primary and Primary communities, but found her calling within the Pre Primary community.
She is currently finishing her practicum training through the Montessori Teacher Education Center (MTEC) and is set to receive her certificate in May 2021.
Ms. Alejandra loves how independent children can be at such a young age. She is fascinated at how capable children can be if we let them and so she wants to continue to learn with the children. Ms. Alejandra always wanted to be a teacher just like her older sister, and she truly believes that educating children is a rewarding choice.
In her spare time, Ms. Alejandra loves to sing, hike, and explore different places. She also picked up a new hobby which is gardening!
Ms. Alejandra encourages us all to be happy because life is better when you are laughing!
