MELF Staff

Find out more about the MELF Team

Hawa Tayob
​MELF DIRECTOR

Masters in Ed. Psychology (University of Stellenbosch); Masters in Early Childhood Education (UNISA); Montessori 2-6 Teachers Diploma (AERCO Montessori Centre, USA); TEFL English Second Language Diploma; Over 10 yrs teaching experience in Montessori, toddler, pre-primary and primary environments; Presentations of Montessori numeracy programmes at education conferences (Dept. of Education) and SAMA conferences 2009, 2016; Published Articles in Montessori Magazines, YOU Magazine, Your Family.

Shamiemah Jassiem
​course convenor

Shamiema is course convenor, moderator and assessor at MELF. M.Soc.Sci (with Distinction) in Religion and Montessori (University of Cape Town, SA); Honours in Psychology (University of the Western Cape); Montessori 3-6 Pre-Primary Diploma and National Diploma in ECD Level 5 (MELF Teacher Training, Cape Town); Registered Assessor (In Tuition); 5 Years Experience as an Office Manager and Principal at a Montessori School; 2012 ABSA/ UNICEF Best ECD Trainer of the Year Award.

Insaaf davids
​administrator

Montessori Attendance Certificate, 2007 - 2008 (MELF Teaching Training, Cape Town); N4, N5, N6 in Early Childhood Development (Cape College); 15 Years experience in Administration; 4 years Pre-primary teaching experience.

Mandisa mamputa
mentor

Mandisa holds a National Diploma in ECD Level 5, completed at MELF. She has 4 years of teaching experience in the Montessori pre-primary environment and in bilingual outreach facilitation. 

Kate Rooseboom
lecturer

Kate completed her academic training at MELF in 2016/ 2017. Before joining MELF Kate completed a Masters in Social Sciences.

Nabeela Armien
​lecturer

Nabeelah Lectures on the Infant and Toddler Programme. She completed her Dual Qualification (0-3 and 3-6) at MELF. She found her passion in working with 0-3 children. She is also a professional photographer. 

Bouchra Elfetouaki
lecturer

Bouchra lectures on the Infant and Toddler programme. She worked in the financial world in France before completing the Dual Qualification (0-3 and 3-6) at MELF.

humairah rangila
lecturer

After receiving her Montessori 3-6 Primary Diploma at Wonderkids Montessori College in Durban, Humaira worked for over 10 years in pre-primary environments. In addition, she has 5 years of facilitation experience. She is founder and owner of Jacaranda Montessori in Randburg, Johannesburg.