Voyage Houston features MOLO School Director
- Lenan Yang
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolene Tollett.
Hi Jolene, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?I never wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher and I didn’t see it as my path. I was bored in school and didn’t have to engage much while a Dyslexic classmate always struggled. I found it tedious.
When I moved to Houston 20 years ago, I got a job as an afternoon Teacher’s Aid and substitute in a Montessori school. This experience changed my life. Children were busy, engaged and joyful in their learning. They wanted to be at school. Each child was doing what they needed, not everyone doing the same thing.
I also saw useful skills being taught such as pouring, cutting, sewing, tying shoes etc. Math doesn’t matter if you can’t cut your own food. I needed to know more. This sent me on a path to get my Montessori certification. After spending nine years in an HISD public Montessori school, I left to get my masters degree. I now run an amazing program.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?I went to a public Montessori program in HISD because I believe every child deserves this kind of education. The individualization, the skills, the deep knowledge and to learn on their level at their own pace. I loved it so much.
I loved the children, the parents, my team and the administration at my school. However, HISD made it too hard to be what the children needed. I was told things like “You’re just a teacher” and “He’s only four, he’ll grow out of it” when I brought concerns. After one child did not get his needs met, in a very public way, I could no longer continue there.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?I am the Director of MOLO Bilingual Montessori School. We are the only Montessori in Houston focused on Mandarin as a second language.
I am actually really interested in the pediatric brain and its development. I spend a lot of time reading books and articles on this. I try to pass on knowledge to the teachers here at the school and to parents. I do YouTube videos for our channel called Montessori Moments that focus on child development. Everyone should have access to this type of information in a quick and useful way.
I present at conferences across Texas and the U.S. and am certified as a Texas Trainer. It is my goal to bring useful information to all teachers and child care providers. In the past three years I worked on research in resilience and how mistakes are really important for brain growth. My most recent research involves shyness.
I spend as much time as I can in classrooms. I enjoy watching the child teacher interactions and the creativity and joy in classes. This helps me know the staff and each student well, give tips and it brings me happiness as well.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?I had an intern who introduced me to the CEO of MOLO and in a way it was luck. But Stephanie introduced herself to Anneka as a fellow Chinese Montessorian, and I had been a mentor to Stephanie. I don’t say luck, I say make your own opportunities. Take each opportunity, don’t let it pass. Part of this is knowing how to introduce yourself and engage in a conversation, a dwindling skill in the world these days.
Do I think that opportunities present themselves, yes and you may call this luck. However, it is taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented that makes a difference. I have made many mistakes in my life, but each is a lesson, an opportunity to learn. As my recent research shows, mistakes lead to brain growth and no one can regret that.
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