Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Isabel Hejazi. They and their team shared their story with us below:
A south-Texas native, Dr. Isabel Hejazi, has called Houston home for over 17 years. She has been part of the educational field since 2005. Isabel began her career as an educator as an elementary teacher. She worked in early childhood in one of the largest school districts in Houston for 7 years. Throughout her career as an early childhood educator, Dr. Hejazi received several recognitions, including Aldine ISD Teacher of the Year 2009, Aldine ISD Bilingual Teacher of the Year 2009, and South Houston Association of Bilingual Educators Finalist 2010.
After 7 years in early childhood education, Isabel decided to explore secondary education and taught 7th-12th grades in a charter school district in Houston, Texas. In 2014, Dr. Hejazi left the classroom to become a district administrator overseeing the online program in several high schools.
Throughout her educational career, Dr. Hejazi became interested in promoting the opportunity of an equitable education regardless of a child’s zip code. Therefore, she embarked on a rigorous journey at the University of Houston to obtain her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. During her Ph.D. journey, Isabel worked full-time, got married, and had two adorable boys, Aryan and Aarad.
The Hejazi family enjoys spending time in museums, reading, traveling, and exploring nature. Whatever the activity is, there will always be some learning involved.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We opened IDEA Lab Kids- The Woodlands in Summer 2020. Therefore, the road was definitely not smooth. Our first summer camps were scheduled to begin in June 2020. The teachers and I worked tirelessly to get every detailed ready to receive our campers. The Sunday before starting, the teachers and I all started feeling sick. We all went to a clinic, and we all tested positive for COVID. In the summer of 2020, COVID was still not as common as it is today. Therefore, we had to postpone our summer camps for 3 weeks and go through a rigorous sanitation process for our facility. Our first two to three years of summer camps, we still had to stay vigilant about masks, disinfecting, looking out for symptoms, etc. Even though the pandemic is already behind us, we are still recovering from it.
We offer engaging camps; therefore, we tend to have a pretty solid base, and the majority of our camps are at capacity. We are grateful for the Woodlands community that has trusted us with their children throughout this journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of IDEA Lab Kids Woodlands. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
IDEA Lab Kids Woodlands specializes in engaging STEAM activities. I have been in public education for 17 years, and I am familiar with the curricula and teaching practices. In public education, teachers focus on exposing the students to the theories and ideas of STEAM. However, there is limited time to be able to explore those theories with engaging hands-on activities. We are here to solve that problem! Students come in and are excited to learn about chemical reactions, physics, culinary arts, technology without realizing that we are putting in practice what they are learning in school.
We offer so many experiences for the Woodlands community. We provide classes in medical science, astronomy, paleontology, civil engineering, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, computer animation, game development, art around the world, culinary arts, baking, and decor, etc.
Students can explore many areas of STEAM so they can begin to see what their preferences are.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a passionate educator who wants to provide engaging experiences for all children. During my educational career, I was honored with several wards, including Aldine ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, Aldine ISD Bilingual Teacher of the Year, and Suburban Houston Association of Bilingual Teacher of the Year.
Pricing:
- Summer Camps are $219
- After school is $150 a month for 1 day a week
- Preschool $850 a month for 5 days a week
Contact Info:
- Website: https://idealabkids.com/location/woodlands/
- Instagram: @idealabkids.woodlands
- Facebook: IDEA Lab Kids the Woodlands
