HMS Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Gen

Head Teacher- Ms. Gen

Please share a little background about yourself:

I was born and raised in New Jersey and have been living in Hudson County since 2021. I was a Montessori child from age 3-7 years old, and I believe it guided me to explore the world with a sense of passion, empathy and keen eye for detail, often through creative endeavors! I’ve been working in Early Childhood since January 2021, and stepped into my first Lead Teacher role after growing as an assistant teacher at HMS!

What drew you to Montessori education, and how did you first learn about the approach?

After relocating from my hometown to the Hoboken area, I decided to continue my endeavors as an assistant teacher at a daycare, and joined HMS ready to learn more about Montessori education. I knew that my experience as a Montessori student was meaningful and wanted to reconnect with the approach from the teacher’s perspective. I grew even more passionate as I learned the in-depth purpose and functions of all classroom curricular areas and the way this form of education gifts the child with a holistic, well rounded way of learning.

What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

Seeing the children get excited about new work in the classroom, and learning how to use it! Also, when they start showing each other how to do things!

What is your favorite area in the Montessori classroom?

My favorite area of the classroom curriculum is Practical Life! I love that it incorporates art, but I’m also fascinated by how it naturally prepares students for reading and writing, guiding them to work from left to right while strengthening their fine motor skills. It’s often the area that students are most drawn to when they first enter the Primary classroom, due to its hands-on approach and familiar household items. It is filled with wonderful materials that also build on the students’ independence, confidence, and sense of responsibility for themselves and their classroom environment.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Since childhood I’ve always loved visual art and music. My art endeavors have primarily focused on illustration that often features nature imagery, in a style often inspired by children’s books. I also love to play guitar along with a few other instruments, and sing! Whenever possible, I also love to spend time outside.