top of page

About Us

Why Roxbury Roots?

children.png

Roxbury Roots Montessori, Inc. is the vision of its founder, Renee Jolley, who wished to address a need by bringing the magic of Montessori education to a community that looked like her. Having taught in the Montessori classroom for years, she desired to have a local program that would benefit children who derived from African-centered backgrounds and families from all backgrounds who wished to expose their children to multiculturalism within the classroom. The program began as a small, parent-child initiative, educating parents on how to complement their little learner's education at home. It grew into a home-based program offering care to six families and has since blossomed in seeking to serve more children by becoming a center-based program. Roxbury Roots Montessori, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN number is: 84-1964356.

​

From the time Kendall Allen was a child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. As time evolved, that dream shifted from solely desiring to teach to also hoping to shift the educational experience for children by designing and opening her own school. Her commitment to alternative forms of education, hands-on learning opportunities for children, and positive self-image work guided her in the process of considering a model that would meet the needs of all children, with a particular emphasis on children of color. Roxbury Roots Montessori, Inc. envisions those goals.

Having met and connected through the Wildflower Diversity Initiative and trained in the New England Montessori Teacher Education Center together, Renee and Kendall embarked on the journey of opening a school together. This school is the culmination of their dreams and hopes for a brighter future for our children!

Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 9_edited.jpg

Board Director

Renee A. Jolley

Head of School/Founder

renee@roxburyrootsmontessori.org 

Renee is a life-long resident of Boston and has a special love for Roxbury. She has a passion for teaching young children and has been working in childcare for over 30 years. She has been teaching within Montessori education for the last 13 years and is now realizing her dream of opening a Montessori school in Roxbury.

Meet the Director

Dedicated & Certified

Meet the Board

Board 1.jpg

Ambrose Davis

Secretary

Ambrose Davis-Lawson is a

Clinical Business Analyst at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston, MA.  Ambrose worked in the Healthcare administrative and patient access delivery system for the past thirty years. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the school's mission. 

Screenshot 2025-04-23 at 11.58.39 AM.png

Rachel KImboko

Treasurer

Rachel Kimboko has been engaged in the Montessori commuity of Washington, DC.  Today she is the Executive Director of the new DC Wildflower Public Charter School. She has served as the Vice-Chair and Treasurer for the AMI Elementary Alumni Association since 2019. Rachel currently serves on the board of RRM.

Resized_R_edited.png

Akira Austin

Lead Teacher

Akira Austin joined Roxbury Roots Montessori in 2022. Akira is trained and certified as a 3-6 yr old Montessori early education instructor. She is also the lead BPK teacher and has a B.A in early childhood education.

E50B6061-112B-4ED8-BA3F-BEE92E86F490_1_105_c.jpeg

Lillier Tam

Administrative Coordinator, Assistant Teacher

Lilllier Tam joined Roxbury Roots Montessori in 2024. Lillier has extensive experience with early years childcare and is Boston Pre-K certified. She 

65D34F9F-26C0-48F8-9CFF-386775DD15CE_1_105_c.jpeg

Yah-Yah Wright

Afterschool Program Assistant Teacher

Yah-Yah joined Roxbury Roots Montessori in 2024. Yah-Yah is licensed and trained in early education and childcare. 

Meet the Staff

bottom of page