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.

Kate Rooseboom
lecturer

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

Tania Coetzer
Lecturer

Tania brings over 24 years of experience in Montessori education, working across both pre-primary and primary environments. She holds a Montessori 3–6 Pre-Primary Diploma, a Montessori 6–9 Foundation Phase Diploma (Montessori Academy for Teacher Training), as well as a  Diploma in Primary Teaching (Montessori Specialisation) Level 6 (NQA Q0067) Junior and Senior Primary Phase (Montessori Education Centre). She has also acquired a B.A. in Psychology and English (University of South Africa). Tania is a registered Assessor and Moderator with Khulisane Academy.

Sinéad Feely
Lecturer

Sinéad is a passionate and dedicated Montessori educator with over a decade of teaching experience in both local and international settings, including Ireland, Canada, and South Africa. She holds a B.A. and B.A. Honours in Montessori Education from St. Nicholas Montessori College, Ireland, and a Bachelor of Education Honours (SAQA-accredited, NQF 7 & 8). Her classroom experience spans the full 3–12 age range, with particular expertise in guiding children in the primary years. Currently Head Directress for the 9–12 age group at Shereens Primary and Pre-Primary in Salt River, Sinéad is committed to creating interactive, engaging environments where children are empowered to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

FORMER STAFF

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. 

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. 

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. ​