Our Story
Matenek Montessori was founded in 2021 by Gabriel and Dinah, birthed out of the vision of how the Montessori philosophy could powerfully transform families and empower local communities in Timor-Leste.
Back in 2021, Gabriel and Dinah were volunteering at local schools in Timor-Leste while home-schooling their own children. When sourcing around for best home-schooling practices to raise their own children, they discovered the Montessori method. They fell in love with how Montessori treated children with respect, advocated for the rights of children, and were astounded by how children could benefitting exceptionally from the Montessori method from a young age.
Then, the twin goals of raising their own children well and contributing to the beautiful country of Timor-Leste aligned perfectly. What was formerly known as Matenek Academy, was birthed to spread the wealth of Montessori education to the other parents and children in Timor-Leste.
Matenek Academy began humbly as an informal Montessori-inspired playgroup with just a few friends of their children in the house of Gabriel and Dinah.
In 2023, Matenek Academy joined Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
In 2024, Matenek Academy re-branded as Matenek Montessori to give emphasis to the Montessori work that we are doing.
Today, Matenek Montessori is more than just an international-quality AMI Montessori centre serving the needs of children in Timor-Leste but is also a social enterprise. Matenek Montessori is involved in the training and equipping local Timorese Montessori assistants and childcare providers, and impacting local communities through the Montessori philosophy.
“We must look to the children as a vehicle for bringing change to humanity.”
- Maria Montessori
Our Founders
Ms Dinah Chua, is an AMI-trained 0-3 years old Montessori Guide from Sydney Montessori Training Centre (Australia), and teaching scholar of Ministry of Education (Singapore) with over 10 years of formal teaching experience in Singapore.
She completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education (Singapore) and won the prestigious Most Caring Teacher Award from the Singapore Ministry of Education in 2018.
Mr Gabriel Chia, is an AMI-trained 3-6 years old Montessori Guide from Sydney Montessori Training Centre (Australia), and teaching scholar from Ministry of Education (Singapore) with over 15 years of teaching experience in Singapore.
He completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education (Singapore), and is also a member of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the recognising authority of Montessori education globally.
Ms. Dinah Chua
Mr. Gabriel Chia
To be a World-class Montessori brand in Timor-Leste transforming lives with warmth, excellence and love.
Our Vision
Our Mission
To guide every child in their own unique way to become a capable, creative and contributing member of our world in the 21st century.
The core values at the heart of Matenek Montessori are
Warmth, Excellence and Love
