Dedicated experts with a proven record of success, passion and commitment.

 

Executive Director

 

Montessori Trainers

We have a team of around 30 Certified Montessori teachers that act and have acted as volunteers at different stages of our project.  

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MS. Renee Ibañez, Montessori Curriculum Advisor & Trainer.
 

Ms. Reneé led the team of Montessori teacher volunteers at Educate from the Heart, Inc. since our inception.  She excitedly joined as soon as we shared with her our vision and the impact that we want to make in the world.  

Ms. Reneé was always strongly committed and passionate about children, and the power that a transformational education and unconditional loving have to make the world a better place.  She contributed to Educate from the Heart, Inc. in countless ways, by giving all her free time to advise us and help us shape our training program and curriculum, discuss research, incorporate materials and co-lead the production team of our proprietary teaching program, as well as provide on-line and on-site training to our different childcare centers.

Ms. Reneé was a Montessori Pre-School Teacher (3-6) at Dhalia Montessori, a Montessori school that she founded and directed until her passing. Her experience as a Montessori teacher spawn over two decades. She was an AMI Certified Montessori Lead Teacher and a Certified Montessori Teacher Elementary I according to MACTE standards.  She actively participated in transformational leadership courses. Ms. Renee’s memory will always be honored at Educate from the Heart, Inc. Her legacy lives with us.
 

 
 
 

MONICA GARCIA REINA

With over two decades of experience in early childhood education and leadership, Monica Maria Garcia Reina brings a profound dedication to transforming the lives of children in underserved communities. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Preschool Education from the University of Quindío and a postgraduate specialization in Human Talent Management from the University of Manizales. Her educational foundation is complemented by extensive training in workplace safety and health systems auditing.

Throughout her career, Monica has demonstrated exceptional leadership in diverse roles, including serving as Director of Fundación Social Azar for nearly a decade. Her experience spans educational settings, nonprofit organizations, and administrative roles, where she has consistently championed the importance of empowering caregivers and educators.

As Executive Director of Educate From The Heart, Monica leverages her expertise to spearhead the organization's groundbreaking Montessori training program. This initiative combines online and in-person learning to reach remote and rural areas, making high-quality early childhood education accessible to communities that need it most. Her work is fueled by a passion for fostering sustainable, heart-centered education through partnerships with local childcare centers, empowering them to thrive and uplift their communities.

Monica’s collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to equity and innovation make her an invaluable leader in the mission to transform lives through education.

 
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Board of Trustees

Team Gallery
Dr. AnaMaria Rivera, Esq.
Dr. AnaMaria Rivera, Esq.

Dr. Rivera is the Chair of the Board and founder of Educate from the Heart, Inc. She was deeply impacted by how powerful and transformational the Montessori Method is, and was moved by the fact that less than 10% of world-wide Montessori schools are public, leaving this incredible education reserved almost exclusively to wealthy children.  Her quest, over the years at Educate from the Heart has been to use her knowledge and expertise as both an entrepreneur and an educator to design and implement a blended model of Montessori training that allows for teachers at low-income centers around the world to have access to top-quality training and materials to implement Montessori and transformational methodologies at their centers.  

Dr. Rivera has more than 25 years of professional experience advising corporations and teaching top executives strategic and transformational leadership.  She has been a consultant with McKinsey & Co, has lectured for over 15 years in top universities in Colombia, USA, China, Russia and Singapore and has trained executives across industries in top global companies such as Microsoft, Delta, United Nations, Pfizer, Medtronics, AT&T, Siemens, to name a few. Dr. Rivera’s work on Transformational Leadership for more than 15 years, included books, research, conferences, courses and workshops around the world, aiming to examine existing mind frameworks, look through different lenses and challenge existing beliefs,  and generate leadership from within.

Dr. Rivera’s career now is focused on her practice of immigration law, as she earned her JD and Masters of International Law at University of Miami, along with her degrees in Industrial Engineer, a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Doctoral Degree in Transformational Leadership.  She is licensed to practice law in Missouri, North Dakota and New Mexico.

Pablo Ignacio Montoya G.
Pablo Ignacio Montoya G.

Pablo Ignacio is an industrial engineer, marketing specialist, certified facilitator in LSP Lego Serious Play and project manager. He has 14 years of experience in design, development, launch and sale of products and services. He has knowledge in sensory marketing, innovation, creativity and human development.

Pablo is committed to a better world, passionate about children and education and willing to work with us in taking out program to many low-income communities around the world.