Meet The Team

 Adassa Robinson-Brutus possesses the keys to numerous doors, having been nurtured in a family of educators, where she consistently aspired for excellence. With extensive teaching experience in and around New Jersey, Ms. Brutus has become a cherished figure in her community, renowned for her unwavering dedication to her students. For her, teaching transcends the confines of a classroom; it is about nurturing and developing each child, prioritizing their growth over standardized testing. This philosophy led her to embrace Montessori education. Acknowledged for her exceptional teaching skills and positive leadership with children, she firmly believes that education is the cornerstone of success and personal development. "Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I worked diligently in college." Introduced to Montessori education two years ago, Ms. Brutus has wholeheartedly embraced its methods, holding a Montessori certification. Her aspiration is to influence the lives of young minds, recognizing the transformative impact children can have on our community.

adassa@birdsofparadisemontessori.org

Cell# 201-589-4409

Mother Theresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” That is what being an educator means to me. I always knew that I was placed here on earth to contribute and give back in ways that would alter the course of many lives. Little did I know it would begin as a classroom teacher?
My parents always placed great emphasis on what it meant to learn and truly hold on to the hems of knowledge because that would be the thing that altered our realities. I did not understand it then, but I must begin by saying ‘Thank You’ to the people who taught me to give myself to education without limits. Learning for us was painted to be the best experience one could have in a life, and I was hungry to learn and even hungrier to offer what I had learned. That is what pushed me into the classroom. My older siblings will say, I am not Guyanese but I have heard enough to know that the sacrifices my parents made there were for us to gain opportunities they could only dream of. Moreover, I am not really from Botswana but I saw the blood, sweat and tears that were planted in foreign land that eventually built bridges to cross the water.
The American Dream. Many people land in this country believing that all it takes is passing through a system that lands you in a “good job” in hopes of getting that white picket fence. How many people do you know that have acquired this? My passion for education began because of everything my parents (and siblings) have scoured the earth to instill in me. I stepped into the classroom and was transformed by the bright-eyed children who sat before me. Little did they know, they were educating me as well. I am grateful for any opportunity I get to ignite a passion for little brown and black children to learn that
ultimately alters the course of their life. Education is important. Being an educator goes beyond teaching someone to process ABC’s and 123’s. I am excited for what this school will offer to all the children who
had parents, siblings, and teachers that I was blessed with and the ripples in the water they will create because of stones that were casted into their lives. Thank you.

Asia Johnson is a vibrant professional, dedicated wife, and mother of two, making waves in both the healthcare and culinary worlds. Her journey is characterized by a commitment to faith, education and
community service.

As a dental insurance coordinator and credentialing specialist, Asia brings her expertise and passion to the healthcare field. Armed with a certification in dental assisting and radiology, she navigates the intricates
of insurance coordination with a blend of precision and empathy. Her “what you see is what you get “attitude makes her a trusted and approachable figure in her professional circles.
Asia’s upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for education, and as a mother, she is determined to provide her two children with the best quality of learning. This commitment extends beyond her family, as she actively promotes education within her community, believing that a strong educational
foundation is key to individual and collective success.

In addition to her work in the dental field, Asia recently ventured into entrepreneurship by launching her own catering and meal prep company. The company’s sole purpose is to offer quality, nutritional meals at an affordable cost. Asia’s culinary venture reflects her dedication to ensuring that everyone,
regardless of financial constraints, has access to wholesome and delicious food.

Driven by her faith-centered values, Asia actively engages in community service. She, along with her teenage daughter, takes pleasure in providing hot meals for people in need. This tangible expression of care and generosity displays Asia’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those around her.

Drawing on more than 14 years of teaching expertise, Alexandra Hanlon boasts a proven history of impactful teaching. Her ambition is to cultivate intellectually stimulating learning experiences within a classroom setting that champions creativity, curiosity, and kindness. As a certified elementary teacher in both the U.K. and the USA, coupled with teaching experience in France and a brief Stint in Poland, Alexandra brings a global perspective to our board.

Katie Blunden is a dedicated mother of two, a New Jersey native, and Co-Head of School at Dahlia Montessori in Allenhurst, NJ. 

Before embracing the world of Montessori, Katie studied American Sign Language Interpreting and served as the Clinic Director of a wellness center for nearly a decade. It was during her transition to motherhood that she discovered the magic of Montessori. Initially self-taught, Katie implemented a Montessori-at-home approach that proved instrumental in nurturing independence in her own children.

Driven by her newfound passion, Katie enrolled in the AMI Assistants Course at the Washington
Montessori Institute in Maryland. This marked the beginning of her hands-on experience in various Montessori classrooms, spanning toddler, primary, and elementary levels.

Determined to deepen her understanding of Montessori, Katie pursued her AMI diploma from Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Armed with a comprehensive education and a wealth of practical experience, she emerged as a fervent advocate for children and the importance of early childhood education.

Katie Blunden firmly believes in the transformative power of Montessori education and its ability to shape the future of our society. As a Head of School at Dahlia Montessori, she continues to champion the cause of providing children with a solid foundation for lifelong learning and success.

In my role as an educator, I have had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of students, including those facing behavioral challenges, speech impairments, and varying academic levels. This experience has equipped me with profound insights into tailoring approaches to accommodate different learning
styles and implementing effective methods to meet each student’s unique needs.

My teaching approach involves fostering learning through creative centers, hands-on activities and engaging manipulatives. These methods have consistently proven to ignite social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and academic growth in students. Moreover, I leverage these strategies not only to introduce
new concepts but also to establish connections between classroom lessons and real-life situations, cultivating an exciting and interactive atmosphere while imparting essential skills.

My passion for teaching stemmed from a desire to serve others, a trait my mother humorously
attributed to my gift of being talkative. The fulfillment I derive from teaching lies in the belief that I am contributing to a better world, one student at a time.

My parents have been my unwavering support system, instilling in me the value of education as something earned that cannot be taken away. These principles extended beyond our family, empowering numerous children in our community to strive for their fullest potential in each chosen path.

My journey in education began in Kingston, Jamaica, where I discovered my love for working with children from a young age, babysitting for relatives, friends, and church members. At the age of 18 years old, I embarked on my first significant role as an assistant 3rd grade teacher at a preparatory school, quickly transitioning to become the lead teacher. Despite challenges, this experience affirmed that working with children was my true calling. I obtained my certification in early childhood education in Jamaica and progressed to become a principal at a prominent preparatory school.

Presently, I serve as a nanny/caregiver for a wonderful family, nurturing two boys ages 4 and 5 months. With a background of seven years as a lead daycare teacher, I remain committed to fostering positive and transparent relationships with student’s families and community members.

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Introducing Akeem Robinson, a dedicated Board member currently residing in New York. A risk manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Bank, Akeem is committed to achieving goals with his strong analytical abilities and financial knowledge. Birds of Paradise Montessori is delighted to welcome Akeem to our board of decision-makers.