Toddler Supervisor /Founder: Ms. Coco

Greetings! I am Coco, the founder of Avocado Montessori. Hailing from the coastal city of Tianjin in northern China, I moved to Seattle in 2010. My profound Montessori journey took flight with the arrival of my first daughter, as I sought to build a deeper connection with her as a person, transcending the traditional role of a mother. In my quest for guidance, I stumbled upon the Montessori method and was captivated by its transformative philosophy.

In 2018, driven by my passion and commitment, I embarked on a rigorous training course, earning the AMS certification from the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. This training solidified my dedication to observing and nurturing young minds, tailored to their individual needs and interests.

At Avocado Montessori, we warmly welcome parents to join our community. It is an honor to be entrusted with the opportunity to spend invaluable moments with your children, fostering their growth and embarking on a shared journey of exploration and learning. 

Hello! My name is Emily Chan and I am very excited to be a part of the team at Avocado Montessori Academy. I was born and raised in Hong Kong and I graduated from the University of Washington in 2018 with a BA in Communications and a minor in Education. I am also a certified Montessori teacher holding both AMS (0-3 Years) and AMS (3-6Y) Montessori Teacher Certification from MEIPN.

I enjoy working with children and I have over 5 years of experience teaching in a Montessori environment in Seattle and Hong Kong. I believe through careful observation and well-prepared environment, children can thrive and develop to their full potential. I strive to encourage independence and a love of learning in my classroom and I am very excited to work with in the Toddler class in AMA!

Ms. Hannah

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah, I’m an AMI 0-3 &3-6 trained Montessori educator, I’ve been a part of Montessori since 2016. The first time that I discovered the Montessori approach when I was doing an observation in a school and became passionate about this philosophy, so I decided to devote myself to my passion since then. I’ve always enjoyed working with children over the last 6 years. I’m very excited to join our Avocado family this year, to share both language and cultured with our little ones, providing them with positive and meaningful experience in the environment.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoors, cooking, knitting, and exploring nature with my family and my dog Juju!

Ao Zhang, primary class Co-Lead Teacher in Avocado Class.
With a degree in broadcasting and an early childhood Montessori credential, Ao Zhang works in our primary Avocado classroom. “As the mom of two young kids, I understand what children need, how they think, and how they feel,” she said. Before joining AMA, Ao worked at a Montessori school for five years; even earlier than that, she was a correspondent for a Beijing TV station. Her favorite part of AMA is that it feels like a family. Outside of the classroom, Ao enjoys playing the piano and doing photography. With family on two different continents, Ao loves to travel and camp around the Seattle area.

Hello, my name is Caity and I am very excited to begin my journey at AMA. I graduated from Oregon State University in June 2023 with a BA in science. I majored in biology with a pre-education option. Previously, I worked at Linn-Benton Community College where I was an assistant volleyball coach and a tutor in psychology, chemistry, and biology. I have always loved working with kids and I am passionate about supporting the development of their purpose, identity, and self-regulation. Outside of the classroom I enjoy playing volleyball, making puzzles, and gardening.

I am Maggie, a graduate of the University of Washington with a major in Communication and Education. I volunteered extensively at two public elementary schools in Seattle during my undergraduate years. After gaining work experience, I pursued a Master's in Teaching at Seattle University to further my passion for education. I now hold a graduate diploma in education and a teacher's certificate in Washington state. I am thrilled to be a part of AMA, where I can learn and grow alongside my students and colleagues in the Montessori environment.