Having attended Montessori schools from toddlerhood through to adolescence, Jemina (Jea) Villanueva-Vallée was first a Montessori child before becoming a Montessori guide, administrator, and trainer.

Villanueva-Vallée is an Australian early childhood educator who has spent over 20 years nurturing young children and educators in China and around the globe. She holds an AMI Primary diploma from Australian Montessori Teacher Education Foundation (AMTEF), a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education.

Prior to joining the Prepared Montessorian team, Villanueva-Vallée helped build the largest network of Montessori schools in China, established one of the first infant-toddler centers in Beijing, and consulted for various international schools and institutions on early childhood education pedagogy, practices, curriculum, and training.

In addition to her current role of VP Operations for Higher Ground Education China, Villanueva-Vallée is also VP of the Prepared Montessori International.

Villanueva-Vallée lives in Hong Kong with her husband, two growing boys, and their adopted rescue cat, Pistache.