Meet Our Team
Muqing Hu
Education Director
Muqing deeply values the unique knowledge each student brings, honoring their diverse cultural backgrounds. She draws continuous inspiration from observing how children learn and engage with the world, always curious about what sparks their joy and ignites their curiosity. Muqing firmly believes in the Montessori principle of fostering autonomy, encouraging children to take ownership of their learning in a nurturing, well-prepared environment. Embracing differences is second nature to her, and she views play as the cornerstone of learning. For Muqing, teaching is more than just a profession—it is her calling. Her extensive experience across various educational settings has led her to a leadership role, where she ensures that educators possess the grace and skills needed to honor the dignity of every child.
Muqing holds an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, along with the New York State Birth-Grade 2 Certificate and a Bilingual Extension Certification in Mandarin. She also earned a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University and is a certified Montessori teacher for both Infant/Toddler 0-3 and Early Childhood 3-6.
Before joining Bean and Sprout Kids Center, Muqing served as the substitute director and Twos teacher at Pine Street School for several years. She also spent significant time teaching Chinese literacy and cultural studies at The Spence School, where she designed curricula and led the Chinese after-school program for K-4 at the Spence Language and Culture Institute.
Natalia Garcia
Lower Infant Bilingual Teacher
Natalia is an experienced Infant and Toddler Montessori Guide, with seven dedicated years of nurturing the minds and spirits of young children. She is Montessori-trained in the 0-3 program and is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with plans to pursue a Master’s in Early Childhood. With a passion for fostering curiosity, Natalia has successfully led 0-3 Montessori classrooms, creating enriching environments that encourage children’s exploration and discovery.Natalia is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where children can thrive. Her extensive knowledge of child development and the Montessori philosophy allows her to provide individualized guidance that nurtures curiosity and fosters independence in each child.
A native Spanish speaker fluent in Portuguese and English, Natalia embraces diversity, enriching the classroom experience for children from various backgrounds. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of Montessori principles, especially as they relate to infants and toddlers. She believes these early years are foundational to lifelong learning and focuses on each child’s unique interests and developmental needs.
Natalia enjoys a variety of interests that reflect her love for culture and exploration. She is a fan of international and vintage films, appreciating storytelling from diverse perspectives, and finds inspiration in reading fiction. Natalia also loves the outdoors and takes any chance to connect with nature, whether hiking or taking a leisurely stroll in the park.
Olamide Ejidira
Upper Infant Teacher
Olamide’s teaching philosophy aligns deeply with the Montessori approach, focusing on the holistic development of each child—nurturing their intellectual, social-emotional, and physical growth. Her dedication to education and commitment to excellence were recognized when she received the '212 Extra Degree Award' for her exceptional contributions to students, parents, and colleagues.
Olamide’s experience spans working with children aged one to six years old, where she tailors each child’s learning process to their unique needs, respecting their natural development. She began her teaching journey at a preschool in Jamaica, Queens, and has since led classrooms in both Montessori and STEAM-based curriculum programs. As a lead teacher in a Montessori classroom, Olamide believes in the power of Montessori education to provide a solid, child-centered foundation. By integrating STEAM principles with the Montessori philosophy, she encourages hands-on discovery, experimentation, and computational thinking, enabling her students to become independent, critical, and creative problem solvers.
Olamide’s diverse background includes experience in communications, independent preschool teaching, and behavior therapy, which has shaped her into an effective communicator and educator. Her experiences allow her to balance academic rigor with holistic development, finding fulfillment in seeing her students grow into well-rounded, responsible citizens.
Olamide holds a Master’s in Education and an MA in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from the University of Leeds.
Jennifer Manuel
Infant Bilingual Teacher
Jennifer has always had a passion for working with children and knew early on that she wanted to become an educator. As the oldest sibling in her family, she found her interest in teaching growing stronger, inspiring her to pursue a degree in education. She earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from LaGuardia Community College and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at City College.
Over the years, Jennifer has taught children ranging in age from 3 months to 10 years old. She strongly believes that children thrive in nurturing environments. As she explored various teaching methods, Jennifer was particularly drawn to the Montessori approach, which emphasizes child-led, hands-on learning and fosters a classroom centered on the child’s pace and interests.
Jennifer is committed to empowering her students by promoting independence, critical thinking, and emotional and social growth. She takes a warm and nurturing approach, ensuring that every child feels valued and respected, and works to create a positive, inclusive, and stimulating classroom community.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, cleaning, and watching her favorite shows.
Molly Szucs
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Molly is a passionate art educator and a firm believer in the Montessori philosophy. She loves blending different educational approaches to create a dynamic and enriching classroom environment. Her journey with Montessori began while working at a local PK-8th Montessori school during her undergraduate studies, and since then, she has gained hands-on experience in both primary and infant/toddler Montessori classrooms. She is deeply committed to the Montessori method and finds great joy in witnessing how it nurtures creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning in young children.
Molly received her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has a deep appreciation for the role of art in early childhood education, particularly in fostering social-emotional development. She embraces arts integration whenever possible, believing that creativity is a powerful tool for exploration and self-expression.
Outside of the classroom, Molly enjoys creating, going to museums all over the city, grabbing a bite to eat, and spending time with friends and family.
Irlanda Marino
Toddler Bilingual Teacher
As a child, Irlanda loved pretend play, especially being a teacher, often teaching her younger brother and plush toys. This early passion led her to pursue an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, followed by a bachelor’s in Sociology. She is now pursuing a master’s in TESOL Pre K-12 at Hunter College and enrolled in the Infant/Toddler 0-3 program at North American Montessori Center.
Irlanda has extensive experience working with infants to preschool-aged children, focusing on their early developmental stages. Her teaching emphasizes fostering independence, self-discipline, and a love for learning, with a special appreciation for Montessori principles. She believes children thrive when given the freedom to explore, choose activities, and work at their own pace in a thoughtfully prepared environment.
In her work teaching Spanish to pre-K students, Irlanda uses engaging activities such as songs, games, and stories to make learning interactive and fun. She believes that this approach helps young learners develop basic vocabulary and language skills in a playful and supportive environment, encouraging a love for languages early on.
Outside of the classroom, Irlanda enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, and cooking. She is excited to work with young learners, guiding them through the Montessori approach, where students are empowered to make choices and take responsibility for their learning.
Caroline Contreras
Toddler Bilingual Teacher
Teaching has always been Caroline’s dream, and she is passionate about shaping the minds of young children, helping them grow into confident, curious learners. With experience teaching young students and as a mother of two daughters, she understands both the educational and parental perspectives in early childhood development.
Caroline is dedicated to a career in early childhood education, focusing on toddlers and preschoolers during their most formative years. She believes that every child has incredible potential, and her goal is to create a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel encouraged to explore, ask questions, and develop a love for learning. Through guided Montessori activities, she fosters creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills that build a strong foundation for future success.
For Caroline, inspiring little minds is not just a job—it’s a calling. She is committed to continuously learning and growing as an educator, ensuring that she provides the best possible support for the children in her care.
Rose Luo
Infant and Toddler Mandarin Teacher
For Rose, teaching children has always been a dream fulfilled through her love of reading, play, and sharing her cultural heritage. As a native of China, Rose brings an authentic and immersive approach to teaching Mandarin, ensuring her students not only learn the language but also appreciate the deep cultural connections behind it. Her passion for traditional Asian cuisine, from sushi rolls to pureed eggplant, is often integrated into her lessons, offering students a unique, hands-on experience with the culture.
Beyond her love for teaching, Rose is a dedicated lover of literature, classical music, and wildlife photography. Her artistic eye has taken her around the world, from deep rainforests to towering mountain ranges, where she’s captured the beauty of nature through her lens.
Before moving to the United States, Rose had a successful career as an entrepreneur in Beijing. In her new community, she continued her commitment to education by serving as the Asia Liaison and Science Research Booster Chairwoman for the PTA at Great Neck North High School.
With years of experience working with children from 4 months to 5 years old, Rose brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and warmth to her classroom. She is eager to inspire her students by combining her global experiences, artistic passions, and culinary traditions to create a rich and engaging learning environment, all while making the journey of learning Mandarin a joyful and rewarding adventure.
Taisha Munoz
Preschool Bilingual Teacher
From a young age, Taisha has been passionate about helping others and finds joy in observing children as they grow and thrive. With experience in various teaching styles, she is committed to creating an inclusive, engaging, and nurturing learning environment that supports each child’s unique developmental journey, in line with Montessori principles.
Raised in a Mexican household in New Jersey, Taisha earned her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from Pace University. During her studies, she taught a social skills class for students with autism spectrum disorder, which deepened her understanding of individualized education. Following graduation, she worked as a behavior therapist, providing classroom support to children with autism and developmental disabilities. It was here that she discovered her passion for working in the classroom with young children, providing them with individualized attention, leading her to transition to a preschool teaching role at Little Bee Learning Studio in Hoboken, NJ, where she embraced child-centered, hands-on, and inquiry-based learning inspired by Montessori education.
Outside the classroom, Taisha enjoys crafting, from sewing and water coloring to pottery, and loves spending time with family, friends, and her dog. She also has a passion for traveling, embracing new cultures, and exploring diverse cuisines.
Taisha is currently working toward her master’s degree in early childhood education, as well as earning her Montessori teaching diploma.
Ouissam Mechat
Preschool Bilingual Teacher
Ouissam is deeply passionate about supporting young children in their growth and development. She finds immense joy in shaping their early learning experiences and fostering a nurturing, child-centered environment where they can thrive. Guided by the Montessori philosophy, Ouissam believes in respecting each child's individuality and encouraging independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.
With a certificate as an Assistant Teacher in a public school and completion of all required DOE workshops—including those on student violence prevention, child abuse prevention, and the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)—Ouissam is well-equipped to create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Her training and experience empower her to cultivate spaces that prioritize children’s emotional and physical well-being, ensuring they feel valued and ready to learn.
Outside of her professional role, Ouissam is a proud mother of three boys. She loves cooking, watching movies, and cherishes opportunities to travel and explore new places. Known for her easygoing and sociable nature, Ouissam enjoys building meaningful relationships and connecting with families and colleagues, fostering a warm and collaborative community.
Jenny Hong
Preschool Mandarin Teacher
With over 10 years of teaching experience in both traditional and informal educational settings, Jenny brings a deep passion for nurturing young children. Her commitment to lifelong learning and her ability to foster independence, curiosity, and creativity in young minds make her an ideal fit for our Montessori-inspired preschool program.
In her spare time, Jenny is dedicated to community service. Her extensive experience as a teaching volunteer and docent at the American Museum of Natural History has equipped her with unique skills in creating hands-on, child-centered learning experiences. Jenny has worked with students from pre-K to 12th grade, utilizing museum exhibits to spark curiosity and encourage self-directed exploration—approaches that align seamlessly with Montessori's emphasis on discovery through active learning. She excels in helping preschoolers build a strong foundation for future learning through sensory-rich, experiential education. As a native Chinese speaker, Jenny has also shared Chinese culture with NYC public and private school students, enriching their understanding of global perspectives.
Jenny's most recent academic journey includes earning a master’s degree from Boston University. To further strengthen her expertise in education, currently, she's pursuing her fourth master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Jenny’s blend of academic knowledge and hands-on experience enhances the learning environment at our center. Her approach aligns with the Montessori philosophy, emphasizing self-guided learning, purposeful play, and collaborative activities, all designed to support the natural development of each child.
Stay tuned—more teacher bios are on the way, and trust us, they’re worth the wait!
