Daily Inspiration: Meet Amina Mulayev

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amina Mulayev.

Hi Amina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as an educator began long before I was introduced to the Montessori Philosophy.

Initially, I worked with children in a conventional setting, but I felt very limited. I yearned to create an environment that would give my students a stronger foundation for their various stages of development and the ability to tap into their greatness. reinventing the wheel was redundant. Dr. Maria Montessori created an outstanding pedagogy that revolutionized education, providing me with a structured blueprint.

Observing children in the Montessori classroom brought me overwhelming joy and inner peace. It was organic, holistic, and aesthetically pleasing. Watching them work independently, using grace and courtesy to communicate with one another, and utilizing practical life activities to care for themselves, one another, and the environment gave me hope for the future.

Students were taught on his/her individual paths, by utilizing the materials in the prepared environment. Children were enriched and gained so much insight into the world around them by using all their five senses. The teacher’s role in the classroom was very different from what I was used to.

The teacher was a guide, an observer, and a facilitator of the student’s physical, cognitive, spiritual, and emotional growth. Thus, my Montessori Journey began, for my children and the children of the community. In 2012, I founded Emunah Montessori Academy, the only AMI-certified Jewish Montessori school in all of Arizona! For the past 10 years, we have been low-key, but word of mouth is an amazing source of advertisement. We have a waitlist of families who wish to enroll their children in our program. It’s been a long time coming, the school’s growth, families are thinking outside the static frame, and want a different form of schooling for their children. Montessori meets the criteria for the future of their children.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Acquiring a facility has been the most challenging. Expanding our humble Montessori school to add more age groups has been in demand for years.

We have been planning, organizing, and executing it to the best of our abilities. We currently have the Primary class ages 3-6. We aim to add the toddler program and eventually the lower elementary (1-3 grade) and upper elementary (4-6 grade). We’ve been searching for a building already in compliance, which means zoned for a school, ADA-approved, and has a fire sprinkler system installed. In addition, we wanted to stay within the Central Phoenix location.

Fortunately, we have found such a place! Though there are struggles in purchasing the building, we’re working hard to make it happen. We have partnered with Charidy, a crowdfunding organization, to help us fundraise for our Non-profit organization. We will be launching our EMA fundraiser soon and hope the communities will be a part of making our dream into fruition!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the founder of Emunah Montessori Academy. I received my Bachelor of Arts and Education in 2004 and have taught ever since.

I have been running my school for the past 10 years and look forward to continuing on this path for many years to come! Seeing my alumni students years later gives me such pride! Everyone remembers the one teacher that impacted their life…I hope that I will be that ONE!

Contact Info:

• Website: emunahmontessori.com
• Instagram: @Emunahmontessori
• Facebook: Emunah Montessori Academy