Little Hoku Montessori Academy serves preschool children between the ages of 3 and 6. Our preschool is conveniently located right off Piilani Highway in North Kihei, on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Our classrooms are inside the Kihei Lutheran Church. The preschool is an easy commute for Maui residents of Kihei, Wailea, Kahului, and Wailuku. It is also less than 30 minutes to Paia, Makawao, and Kula.
The facility is equipped with air-conditioning, fire sprinklers, and a 4500 sq. ft. grass gated outdoor area for children to play and enjoy, as well as an outdoor sink for maximum cleanliness. Our Montessori school is licensed for 24 preschool and kindergarten aged students.
Take a few minutes to explore the website to learn more about Little Hoku Montessori Academy and our philosophy.
Mission
Little Hoku’s mission is to provide a safe and fun environment for students to grow to be independent and creative individuals. Our school follows the Montessori philosophy. Little Hoku focuses on activities by directing our students in various Montessori activities to nourish their creativity and academics.
Core Values
- Know every child and strive to instill and teach them the love of learning.
- We value transparency and good communication.
- We share a respect for self, others, our world and our environment.
- Parents are partners and all adults are role models.
Program
Little Hoku Montessori Academy is a program for children ages 3 to 6.
Little Hoku has one classroom with a Lead teacher and a teacher’s aid, which is People Attentive To Children (PATCH) certified. Our program offers Preschool and Kindergarten. We are licensed for 24 students.
Accreditation
ABOUT US - MEET OUR STAFF
Shadi Naderi, PhD
Founder and Head of School
Dr. Naderi has earned her PhD degree in Mathematics and has spent the last 18 years in Research. Her passion for education and the undeniable need for preschool in the beautiful Island of Maui have convinced Dr. Naderi to open the Little Hoku Montessori Academy in 2019. She is a state of Hawaii certified program leader in early childhood education.
Ms. Michelle
Director
Michelle Lazuka brings more than 20 years of early childhood education experience to her role as Director of Little Hoku Montessori Academy. A dedicated Montessori educator and school leader, she is committed to creating nurturing, intentional learning environments rooted in respect for each child. Michelle holds a Master of Education, a bachelor’s degree in Child & Family Studies, an American Montessori Society Teaching Credential, and a Montessori Reading Program Specialist Credential. She is also DHS and PATCH Director and Lead Teacher Certified. Throughout her career, Michelle has founded two schools and supported gifted children, students with special needs, and children with learning differences. She also works as a private tutor and reading specialist and is a certified adult and keiki yoga instructor. Her experience, thoughtful leadership, and child-centered philosophy align beautifully with Little Hoku’s mission, and we are honored to have her as part of our school ʻohana.
Ms. Stephanie
Lead Teacher
Ms. Stephanie has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, holding a degree in Psychology from the University of Denver and an AMS certificate from the Montana Montessori Teacher Education Institute. She began her journey at Woodland Montessori School in Kalispell, MT, and later opened and ran her own successful Montessori school, Sunlight Montessori, in Whitefish, MT, where she served for nine years as the director, teacher, and administrator, nurturing young minds and building a thriving community. Since 2016, Ms. Stephanie has been teaching in Montessori classrooms on Maui, including one year of teaching abroad in Indonesia. In addition to her teaching career, she is certified in Positive Discipline and has a background in Kindermusik, which she incorporates into her classroom. Outside the classroom, Ms. Stephanie enjoys practicing yoga, meditating, hiking, scuba diving, and getting lost in a good book.
Auntie Alisha
Teacher’s Aid
Alisha Jermulowske brings warmth, experience, and a nurturing spirit to the Little Hoku Montessori team. Originally from Whidbey Island in Washington, Alisha now calls Maui home and is a proud grandmother of six. She is affectionately known as “Auntie Alisha” to the keiki in our community. With a background in early childhood education, health and wellness coaching, and over two decades of small business ownership, Alisha combines professionalism with genuine care. Her calming presence and deep love for children help create a safe, joyful learning environment where students are supported as they grow and thrive.
“We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for himself; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Physics and Educator, Inventor of the Montessori Education Method
These very children reveal to us the most vital need of their development, saying : 'Help me to do it alone!
From Childhood to Adolescence, p. 67
"The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behaviour towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practised to perfection only when working among children
The Absorbent Mind, p. 257
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