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
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, 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 acts as a therapy dog and school mascot.
Jeanne is passionate about sustainable living and actively cultivates a healthy environment 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. This is shared with the children through their daily interactions in the vegetable garden.
Carmelita Llamas, Assistant Teacher
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.
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Joe Weaver, Assistant Teacher
Joe is a father of two and a proud first-time grandfather. He 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.