About

Ixora Montessori School in Williamsburg Virginia, provides an authentic Montessori education for preschool children ages 14 months-6 years.

We are an intentionally diverse community of learners, with equity and inclusivity at the core of our guiding principles. We work to especially embrace those communities who have been marginalized or not be well represented in traditional schools.

We work to connect children to the world, themselves, and each other in a nurturing and healthy community with family engagement.

We believe that all families of young children in our community should have access to a high-quality Montessori Education regardless of financial means.

We are a member of the Wildflower Network of schools.

Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Wildflower aspires to give all children and families the opportunity to choose high-quality, beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey.

Please contact us to receive more information about our school and hear about upcoming information sessions.

Our Teacher Leaders

Our Staff

Founding Teacher Leader

Beverlee Mendoza

Beverlee was born in Trinidad and Tobago, she began her Montessori journey over 30 plus years ago when she began looking for a preschool for her daughter. Thus began her journey to become a Montessori teacher.

Beverlee worked as an Infant Directress for 10 years, coordinated toddler programs in 2 Montessori schools for many years and worked as a 3-6 teachers for over 20 years in schools in Trinidad, the US and China.

She teaches prospective Montessori teachers and consults for Virginia Center For Montessori Studies in Richmond Virginia in their Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler programs.

Beverlee loves spending time with her family and is a member of the American Montessori Society. She is honored to be the founding teacher leader of Ixora Montessori School and looks forward to bringing Montessori education for all, especially embracing the rich diversity of families in the Williamsburg VA. area and its surrounds.

Qualifications: - M.Ed., concentration in the Montessori Method, B.A. English, Early Childhood Montessori certification, Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification.

Interest: Gardening, Travel, and the arts.

Toddler Teacher Leader

Ketty Mulanga

Ketty comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, her first language is French. She completed a baccalaureate in Latin philosophy. Ketty is the vice president of the ONG ENVIPRO which supports children living with disabilities. She has worked as a Sunday school instructor, a secretary in both a law firm and construction company. She is a trained caregiver and is in the process of working on her Montessori Infant and Toddler Training.

Ketty has a real passion for working with very young children and enjoys helping each child progress in all areas of their development – academic, social, language and motor skills. She strives to create a community of learners and feels honored to help nurture their growth in a positive and fun environment, so that they can reach their full potential.

Ketty has been married for 12 glorious years and have four fantastic children ages 11, 10, 8 and 3 months old who attend Clara Byrd Baker Elementary.

Interests: Singing, playing keyboards, art, watching our children's sports: tennis, volleyball, basketball, and swimming! She also enjoys reading, cooking, listening to music, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Assistant

Emily Stefanick

My name is Emily Stefanick and I am a senior in a votech program here in Williamsburg studying early childhood education and development. I went to Montessori school when I was younger and I enjoyed being an intern this past year at Ixora Montessori and was delighted when I was offered an assistant position.

Support Staff

Angela Tambone

My name is Angela Tambone and I am certified in Montessori Early Childhood Education. I have been a Montessori EC Lead Teacher for over 35 years. I am currently retired. I am a mom and grandmother.

I am excited to start my new journey at Ixora Montessori.

Assistant

Dinia Ramos Schroeder

Dinia was born in Peru. She is the mother of 3 children.

Dinia studied engineering in Peru and worked as an engineer for many years.

Dinia migrated to the United States 7 years ago and has been working in business since then while also being a mom and wife.

Dinia's hobbies are looking at movies, reading and being with her family.

French Teacher & Support Staff

Ingrid McGuckin-Hamra

Ingrid McGuckin-Hamra studied French and K-12 Education at Grove City College and taught French at Bruton High School in Williamsburg for 10 years.

She has been married to her much beloved husband Duncan for 3 years and has enjoyed traveling the world with him and most recently settling into their first home together in Williamsburg.

She loves travel, ballet, yoga, meditation, good conversations, reading, playing piano, exercising, and coffee dates with friends.

She has a heart for mentoring and nurturing kids of all ages. Although her education experience to date has mostly been with high schoolers, she has thoroughly enjoyed opportunities to care for her young nieces and nephews.

She was homeschooled until 10th grade and has been intrigued by Montessori teaching methods for a long time.

She is looking forward to humbly learning the ropes of early childhood education from the wonderful teachers at Ixora this year and to seeing how her experience as a French teacher might add value to this beautiful community!

She is fluent in French, Italian and Japanese.

Board Members

Joe Cross

Retired Founder of PMA Architects, Cross & Associates, Ltd. (Real Estate and Construction), Director of Development &Construction, Anheuser Busch/Busch Properties whose children attended Montessori.

Michele Mohar

Michele Mohar, MEd, is the director of Virginia Center for Montessori Studies in Richmond, VA and has both her Early Childhood and Infant & Toddler AMS Credentials. She has over 25 years of experience working with children and adults in a variety of educational settings, primarily Montessori. Michele is a former assistant head of school and lead teacher at West End Montessori School in Richmond, VA. She is a frequent presenter on Montessori topics at both a regional and national level and is also the current chair of the AMS Teacher Education Action Commission.

Jocelyn Bell Swanson

Jocelyn Bell Swanson is an educator and humanities specialist, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her work with elementary and secondary learners centers around her commitment to nature-based learning, with a focus on stewardship and practical life skills. Trained in the Montessori method, she runs farm camps on her James City County farm alongside a full-time middle school and high school program. She is the Education Team Coordinator and member of the board of directors for the Williamsburg Community Growers (community garden). She developed and now directs the secondary-level training and certification program for adult teachers through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. And most recently, she founded Looseleaf Learning, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to nature education and therapy, for which she serves as Executive Director.

In her pre-teaching career, Jocelyn ran her own marketing business, starting out as a writer/editor. Jocelyn has an undergraduate degree in business/communications and a Master’s degree in education.

Kameeka Shirley

Kameeka is a founding Teacher Leader at Blazing Stars Montessori School and a loan originator for the Sunlight Loan Fund. She holds a B.B.A in Marketing and worked for almost 5 years at Morgan Stanley in New York before joining Teach for America as a 2017 corps member in Jacksonville, FL. Most recently, Kameeka has worked for 3 years in a Lower Elementary Montessori classroom and holds a Florida Professional Educators Teaching License with a Reading Endorsement and course work in English as a Second Language and Gifted. She is currently in Montessori training. She is a certified Nature Based Educator through ERAFANS, trained in the Growing Up Wild curriculum and is currently enrolled in Montessori training. Kameeka is a mother, photographer, amateur naturalist and gardener. She also enjoys fitness and martial arts.

Staff

Teacher Leader

Founding Teacher Leader and Primary Guide