Teacher Insight: Meet Dr. Grace Sanvictores

Through this Teacher Insight series, we are proud to highlight the talented individuals whose contributions make Hudson Montessori a place where children truly thrive. Meet Dr. Grace Sanvictores, our Middle School director and dedicated STEAM co-director.

Dr. Grace brings a blend of creativity, innovation, and Montessori-inspired practice to her work. Her greatest motivation as an educator stems from the joy of witnessing students experience those meaningful “aha” moments when curiosity sparks, understanding deepens, and confidence grows. She believes deeply in the power of discovery and loves guiding students as they develop lifelong skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience.

Dr. Grace’s Experience & Qualifications

Dr. Grace, a valued member of Hudson Montessori School since 2014, has shaped our Middle School STEAM program through transdisciplinary, project-based learning that connects science, technology, engineering, art, and math in meaningful, real-world ways. 

She brings the Montessori philosophy to our pre-teen and adolescent learners, developing a curriculum centered on data literacy and environmental stewardship, and guiding students through significant projects, including Future City, citizen science initiatives, TED Talks, and the Billion Oyster Project.

She collaborates with respected organizations—including the Hudson River Foundation, Hackensack Riverkeeper, NASA, and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University—to bring authentic field experiences into the classroom. 

Dr. Grace presents her work at national educational conferences, sharing her expertise in STEAM integration and transdisciplinary learning. Her leadership extends to mentoring students through clubs, community outreach, and hands-on investigations that nurture both academic growth and social-emotional development.

Why Does She Choose Hudson Montessori School as a Teacher?

Dr. Grace believes Hudson Montessori Middle School’s greatest strengths lie in its holistic, student-centered approach to education. She appreciates how the school empowers students through hands-on projects, interdisciplinary exploration, and a strong emphasis on leadership, creativity, and real-world problem solving.

She values the school’s culture of community, where students, teachers, and families collaborate. To her, Hudson Montessori’s blend of Montessori philosophy, innovation, sustainability, and global awareness sets it apart, preparing students to think critically, take initiative, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Dr. Grace’s Personal Life

Outside the classroom, Dr. Grace loves traveling, immersive experiences, visiting museums and art galleries, and exploring national parks. Nature, design, and storytelling inspire her both personally and professionally. She is also an avid runner and hiker who embraces marathons and outdoor adventures.

Something that may surprise people is that she often experiments with creative STEAM activities even in her free time, finding joy in designing hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages. In the classroom, she especially loves project showcase days when students present their STEAM work, TED Talks, or other projects to the community. She also enjoys incorporating citizen science and hands-on experiments that transform the classroom into a place of discovery, collaboration, and wonder.

Her favorite children’s book is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss, a story that inspires her with its celebration of courage, resilience, and exploration—values she aims to instill in every student. Her guiding advice echoes a message of purpose and impact:

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall

Dr. Grace encourages her students to recognize the power of their choices and to use their talents, creativity, and kindness to make meaningful contributions every day.

Hudson Montessori School, located in downtown Jersey City, serves children aged 2 to 8th grade. Our teachers use an interdisciplinary, theme-based learning approach to education, grounded in the Montessori philosophy and methodology, to foster a love of learning in its students. Its STEM-certified campus is the only one of its kind in New Jersey, featuring STEM-certified teachers who meet the highest standards set by the National Institute for STEM Education. The school invites parents to attend an open house to learn more about its programs.