Administration

Ms. Ages Hahn

Principal 

 

My name is Agnes Hahn and I’m pleased to introduce myself as the principal of Mission Bay Montessori Academy. I am honored to work with the passionate educators in a school community known for its excellent education, nurturing environment, and strong partnerships with families throughout its nearly 60-year history.
As a Montessorian with 30 years of experience, I have served as both a teacher and a school leader across toddler, preschool, and elementary Montessori programs in California. I hold American Montessori Society (AMS) Certifications for Primary, Lower & Upper Elementary levels, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Literature. My educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the Montessori approach, which respects the uniqueness of every child and supports individualized learning through hands-on materials. I believe this holistic method inspires children to become self-motivated learners and responsible citizens. Motivated by this vision, I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology to deepen my understanding of human development and better support our community.
Each day, I strive to practice Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy with humility and respect. One of her quotes that guides me is: ‘Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” I’m truly delighted to be a part of the children’s lives and the journey they are taking to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Now,I ‘d love to invite all the community members for the tour to show our amazing programs and wonderful staff.
Thank you!

Ms. Karina Janco

Director of Operations  

 

I'm beyond excited to step into my new role as Director at Mission Bay Montessori Academy! Teaching children and designing curriculum has always been a passion of mine, and watching young minds grow and flourish is one of the greatest joys in life. With my experience as a Director of Child Development and Lead Teacher for diverse age groups, I can’t wait to dive in, learn everything about this fantastic Academy, and become part of this vibrant community. I hold an Associate's Degree in Child Development and am currently working toward a Bachelor's in Business/Marketing. Having recently moved to sunny San Diego with my partner, Alex, I’m loving the chance to explore this amazing city—whether it’s biking along the coast, trying new restaurants, or training for a half marathon. At home, you’ll often find me cooking, working on renovating our fixer-upper, or spending time with my playful kitten, Skippyjon Jones. As Director, I am deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships with parents and families to ensure that each child's unique needs are met. I believe that collaboration between home and school is key to nurturing well-rounded, confident learners. I’m also passionate about supporting our incredible teachers and staff in creating a safe, welcoming environment where children feel empowered to learn, grow, and chase their dreams. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this team and look forward to the many adventures ahead!

Ms. Andrea

Children's House Director   

 

Hello everyone!  My name is Andrea Suckau and I recently joined Mission Bay Montessori Academy in July 2022.  I received my BA degree in Organizational Management in 2013 from Ashford University and hold a Program Director permit through the California Department of Education.

 

I have extensive experience in various childcare roles- both as an administrator and as a preschool teacher. Additionally, I have also managed and implemented the standards and requirements for Title 5 and Title 22. In all roles, I have enjoyed helping families, students, and teachers.

 

As the Children’s House Director, I am most excited about getting to know our families, maintaining licensing compliance with health and safety standards, and supporting MBMA teachers.

 

In my free time, I enjoy indoor and outdoor cycling, hiking, and scrapbooking. I am originally from Temecula, California, and have been in the San Diego area since 2006.

Ms. Catherine

Administrative Assistant 

 

My name is Catherine Jewell.  I am the Administrative Assistant at Mission Bay Montessori Academy.

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I was born and raised in Sunnyvale in Northern California and am the youngest of three girls.  I come from a family of educators, so it seemed logical that I too, would go into education. I spent my high school and college years working in preschools. I graduated from UCSD in 1987 with a BA in Psychology and my California Teaching Credential.

 

In 1989, I joined MBMA as a teacher in a 2nd & 3rd grade classroom, where I taught for 5 years.  During my five years of teaching, I met my husband, Steve, right here on the MBMA campus. Steve takes care of the landscaping and his son, Jeremy, was at MBMA in 5th grade when I joined the staff. We married in 1992 and I completed my fifth year of teaching while pregnant with our daughter, Rebecca.  I left the classroom in 1994, choosing to work part-time while raising our family. Our son, Randy, was born in 1997.  

 

In the fall of 2000, after a few part-time administrative jobs, I returned to MBMA to work part-time in the office to assist with registration materials and provide general office support.  Over the past 20 years, my position has transformed to full-time and now includes accounting, registration, immunizations, whole school communications, and much more.

 

I feel so blessed to be a part of the MBMA community. I have raised my children here, with all three attending Children’s House and completing the 6th grade program.  I started working at MBMA to simplify life, allowing me to have the same schedule as our children. It turned into so much more, including a marvelous foundation for our children and an amazing family-like support group through the staff and families alike. I am so honored to be a part of this amazing school.