Now Enrolling
for 2026-2027 School Year
Hummingbird Montessori Preschool is a welcoming learning environment, providing high quality care to children in the Bay Area since 1996. It is nestled in Albany, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, amidst an excellent K-12 public school district (AUSD).
Hummingbird places an emphasis on allowing children a safe and fun social environment in which to explore their interests and talents of all kinds. At Hummingbird, we believe a healthy preschool experience is key to a child's success in all future education.
1:4-1:6
Teacher to Student Ratio
29 Years
of Hummingbird classes
8-12
Students per class
Hummingbird Staff
Jeanne Devin, Director & Head Teacher
Jeanne Devin, Director & Head Teacher
For four decades, Jeanne has dedicated her life to the field of early childhood education, serving as a preschool teacher in the Bay Area. In 1996, she realized her lifelong aspiration of establishing a childcare program, which she named Hummingbird Montessori Preschool. Shortly thereafter, she welcomed her first child into the world. Today, she is immensely proud of the school’s accomplishments and the happiness of her daughter and stepchildren.
Jeanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Development from Mills College and is a certified Montessori educator with AMS (American Montessori Society) Certification. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in nurturing curiosity, independence, and a deep respect for the natural world.
When she’s not in the classroom, Jeanne embraces life with the same enthusiasm she brings to her students. You’ll find her exploring the beautiful trails of the Bay Area, dancing to live music, and enjoying the vibrant, diverse culinary scene with friends. She shares her home with a beloved senior dog, who is her faithful companion on leisurely walks.
Jeanne is passionate about sustainable living and actively cultivates a healthy biosphere through composting and vermiculture — the art of worm farming. She tends the school vegetable garden with a growing knowledge of permaculture, helping to connect children with the cycles of the earth. Her love of cooking with organic, locally sourced ingredients keeps her kitchen creative and her table full, as she’s always experimenting with new recipes to share with family and friends.
Carmelita Llamas Carmelita grew up in the East Bay Area. She worked in the Montessori community for over 28 years at various schools and has a degree in early childhood. She is also AMS certified. As a mom of 4 kids herself, all her children attended Montessori schools as well! Carmelita has lived her childhood years abroad while traveling to different countries. Being introduced to different cultures at a young age was essential to her passion to teach diversity, inclusion, and culture to children. In her free time Carmelita enjoys trying new cuisines and recipes. She is an avid Bay Area sports fan and enjoys spending time with friends and children from her past Montessori communities.
Here's a polished professional version of the biography:
Carmelita Llamas
Carmelita Llamas grew up in California’s East Bay and has dedicated more than 28 years to the Montessori community, serving in a variety of roles at several Montessori schools. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS).
As the mother of four children, all of whom attended Montessori schools, Carmelita brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work with children and families.
During her childhood, Carmelita lived abroad and traveled extensively, experiences that fostered a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives. These formative years inspired her passion for teaching children about inclusion, diversity, and cultural awareness from an early age.
Outside of her professional life, Carmelita enjoys exploring new cuisines, experimenting with recipes, and cheering on her favorite Bay Area sports teams. She also values staying connected with friends, families, and former students from the Montessori communities she has been part of throughout her career.
Joe Weaver, Assistant Teacher
Joe is a father of two and has been a Montessori teacher for over 30 years. He has a BA degree from JFK university and a Montessori certification from St. Mary‘s College of Letters and Science. In his spare time, Joe likes to go hiking with his wife of 33 years and their two small dogs. Joe also belongs to a local ballet company and has danced with them for many years. When he is not dancing or hiking, you can find Joe working in the garden, puzzling out a sudoku or reading a good book.