From Engineering to Montessori: The Journey of Taj Abou Harb

Since childhood, Taj Abou Harb resisted traditional schooling practices that stifled her natural curiosity. Trained as an engineer and passionate about hands-on work, she discovered in the philosophy of Maria Montessori a revelation: an approach that nurtures children’s innate love of learning and respects their individuality.

While living in Canada, Taj had the chance to observe classrooms at the Maria Montessori School of Toronto. The experience felt “almost magical” and deeply transformed her vision of education. She eagerly enrolled her daughter Sophia in the school, immersing herself in the Montessori world by attending every workshop, parent session, and performance.

When her family returned to Beirut in 2017, Taj realized there were no schools offering a complete Montessori journey beyond preschool. Determined to change that, she dedicated three years to building Montessori Beirut—connecting with passionate educators, attending international Montessori conferences in Prague and beyond, and joining a global network of Montessori school leaders.

Today, Montessori Beirut embodies her vision: a school that celebrates children’s curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and leadership, while honoring their need for movement and connection. Inspired by Maria Montessori’s legacy, Taj and her team are committed to seeing every child for who they truly are—not who others expect them to be.