Meet the Team
Founder
My name is Aihua Jiang
Dear Parents,
Thank you for visiting our website. I’m so glad you’re here.
As a mother of two, I understand both the joy and challenges of raising children—and how deeply we want to give them the best possible start in life.
My own journey to early childhood education was unexpected. I earned my M.D. and Ph.D. in China and completed two postdoctoral fellowships in the United States, including one at Harvard Medical School. But becoming a mother changed the questions I wanted to explore. I became fascinated by how profoundly the earliest years shape a child’s confidence, independence, emotional security, and understanding of the world.
That journey eventually led me to Montessori education. Today, as an AMS-certified Montessori educator, I bring together my background in medicine and research, my experience as a mother, and years of hands-on work with young children to create warm, high-quality Montessori programs for toddlers and their families.
My book exploring how adults help shape a young child’s subconscious foundations has also been accepted for publication by Tsinghua University Press, with an English edition planned for the future.
I believe the earliest years are not simply preparation for school—they are the years in which children begin constructing who they are. It is a privilege to be part of that journey with your family.
Warmly,
Aihua Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., AMS-certified educator
Founder, Firefly Family Montessori
Senior Consultant
Marcia S. Hubelbank
Marcia is a dedicated Montessori educator and consultant with extensive expertise in early childhood development and Montessori pedagogy. As the founder of Understanding the Nature of Childhood, Marcia brings deep knowledge of child-centered learning and development to her consulting practice.
With experience as a Head Teacher in toddler programs at established Montessori schools and as faculty at the Montessori Institute New England, Marcia specializes in helping educators and schools understand and implement Montessori principles effectively. Her work focuses on the natural development of young children, appropriate classroom environments, and teacher training in Montessori methods.
Marcia is a recognized educator within the Montessori community, having presented workshops and courses through the American Montessori Society on topics including child development, play-based learning, and toddler education. Her consulting approach is grounded in a deep understanding of Maria Montessori's philosophy and how it applies to real-world educational settings.
Marcia joins Firefly Family Montessori as Senior Consultant, bringing her expertise and passion for supporting educators and families in creating meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children.
Location-1: 73 Woburn st. Andover
Aihua Jiang
Director and Lead Teacher, EEC Certified
As a mother of two, a passionate Montessori educator, and a former physician-scientist, Aihua brings a unique perspective to early childhood education.
With over 13 years of parenting and five years of teaching experience, Aihua’s philosophy centers on “following the child”—understanding each child’s unique needs and supporting their development through practical life, sensorial exploration, language, math, culture, music, and art.
She has also developed a three-step emotional coaching approach to help young children understand and regulate their emotions. Her forthcoming book explores how early experiences shape children’s subconscious development and has been accepted by a leading university press in China, with plans for an English edition.
Lina Chu
Senior Firefly Assistant Teacher, EEC Certified
Lina discovered her true calling in early childhood education after becoming a mother, pivoting from a successful business career. With a Bachelor's in Business Administration and experience as an assistant manager at global companies, she brings leadership and strategic thinking to her role as a preschool teacher.
Now joining Firefly FM, Lina is committed to building a classroom where children feel genuinely supported and intellectually alive.
What sets Lina apart is her gift for weaving yoga and music throughout the day, recognizing them as powerful tools for children's emotional development and creative confidence. Her unique blend of business acumen and dedication to children's wellbeing makes her an extraordinary addition to Firefly FM.
Liya
Firefly Assistant Teacher, EEC Certified
Liya brings a thoughtful and caring presence to early childhood education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in E-commerce in China, developing strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a calm, dependable approach that serves her well in the Montessori classroom.
As a mother of two, Liya understands the joys and challenges of raising young children. She is a patient and observant educator who responds to each child with warmth and consistency, creating an environment where children feel safe, supported, and valued.
At Firefly Family Montessori, Liya is excited to support young learners with the same patience, care, and dedication she brings to her own family.
Guilan Yan
Firefly Assistant Teacher, EEC Certified
Ms. Yan is the heart of our kitchen, bringing a grandmother's warmth to Firefly Family Montessori.
A former insurance agent in China, she discovered her true calling in caring for young children. Now retired and living locally with her family, she dedicates herself to creating nourishing meals and fostering a nurturing environment. She brings both strength and gentleness to everything she does, creating a space where every child feels safe, seen, and beautifully nourished.
Location-2: 62 North st. Andover
Jeanette Wang
Director and Lead Teacher
Jeanette brings over two decades of teaching experience to early childhood education, having transitioned from high school classrooms in Guangzhou to pursue a passion for early learning in the U.S. Throughout her years with older students, she discovered that the most transformative growth happens in the early years—when curiosity awakens and foundational skills take root.
Certified in Mandarin and ESL with specialized training in child psychology, Jeanette understands how young children learn and develop. Her teaching style is distinctive: she balances warmth with appropriate firmness, creating an environment where children feel genuinely seen and respected. She recognizes that early childhood is a critical period where confidence, emotional intelligence, and cognitive foundations are formed.
As a mother of two—including an MIT freshman already launching his entrepreneurial vision—Jeanette has witnessed how strong early foundations shape lifelong learners and innovators. She brings this same commitment to fostering growth and discovery to every child in her classroom, guiding them with patience, intention, and authentic care.
Xiaoni Wu
Senior Firefly Assistant Teacher, EEC Certified
Ms. Wu is a dynamic educator who brings infectious energy and genuine warmth to early childhood education. As an accomplished kindergarten teacher and pianist, she has a remarkable gift for sparking curiosity and confidence in young learners. Her vibrant, attentive approach—marked by her patience, kindness, and genuine effort to understand each child—creates a classroom where young learners feel truly seen and valued. Children light up when she sits at the piano, eagerly jumping up to dance and move to her music, transforming learning into pure joy.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Wu pursues life with the same passion: she's an accomplished cook who delights in creating nourishing, delicious meals; an avid sports enthusiast; and a devoted adventurer. With her two children, she embraces outdoor exploration and new discoveries, embodying her belief that learning and joy go hand in hand.
Jie Zhu
Firefly Assistant Teacher, EEC Certified
Jie brings a unique blend of professional expertise, teaching experience, and a genuine passion for young children. She earned a degree in Electronic Engineering and spent over 20 years in the semiconductor and automotive industries, where she developed strong organizational skills, analytical thinking, and a calm, thoughtful approach to problem-solving.
Inspired by raising her two boys, now ages 6 and 9, Jie transitioned into education and has spent the past five years teaching bilingual classes at the Chinese School of Andover. She has created engaging lessons and nurturing environments where children learn through language, music, games, and hands-on activities.
As both a mother and educator, Jie is especially passionate about working with toddlers, helping them build confidence, independence, and curiosity. She is excited to bring her patience, bilingual teaching experience, and love for children to the Firefly Family Montessori community.
Firefly Family Montessori is now an AMS member school!