In a cosy corner of Fish Bay, nestled between the energy of town and the calm of the sea, something extraordinary is taking place—a quiet revolution in education. It’s called Brain Train Learning Centre, the brainchild of a determined mother-daughter duo, Debra and Tiye Hodge. Together, they’ve transformed a dream into a thriving, purpose-driven educational program that’s already leaving its mark on young minds—and their proud parents.
From Challenge to Creation
“Brain Train was something we considered during what I would say was a low period in our lives,” says Debra Hodge, reflecting on the early days. “Tiye wanted to do something meaningful, and she has a real passion for working with children.”
That shared desire for impact became the seed that grew into Brain Train. What started as lengthy discussions and ideas soon shifted to action. “Enough talking,” Debra recalls saying. “Let’s make this a reality.”
They launched Brain Train in November 2024, starting small, with just six children and the support of the parents willing to take a chance. Today, the centre is operating at a capacity of 22 students, a growth that Debra and Tiye credit to their unwavering focus on quality over quantity.
A Montessori Mission
While Debra handles operations and business management, Tiye serves as the lead educator and curriculum visionary. Montessori-certified and deeply passionate, Tiye saw an opportunity to bring Montessori education to families who might not be able to afford a full-time program.
“I believe in it so much,” Tiye shared. “When I started learning about Montessori, I thought, wow, more children should be introduced to this.”
That belief is now shaping the future of Brain Train. The centre currently offers a Montessori-based after-school program, with plans to expand into a full Montessori curriculum. At the heart of this evolution is a commitment to foundational excellence—especially in Math and English—through hands-on materials, repetition, and deep comprehension.
Parent-Powered Success
The most rewarding part? The feedback. “It’s constant gratitude,” Debra beamed. “Parents say they’ve never seen their child this confident. Vocabulary is improving. One student even taught her classmates some of the things she learned here.”
This affirmation from parents has reinforced the Hodges’ commitment. For them, success is measured not just in enrollment numbers, but in the smiles of students, the pride of parents, and the steady growth in academic performance.
Looking Ahead
While the journey is still unfolding, the Hodges are confident they’re heading in the right direction.
“This is only the beginning,” Tiye says with a smile. “We’re enjoying working with the children, seeing them grow, and celebrating with them. It was a dream, but now that we’re living it, it’s so meaningful.”
Debra echoes her daughter’s sentiment: “We’re off to a good start. And we know the best is yet to come.”
Brain Train Learning Centre isn’t just a tutoring program—it’s a vision brought to life through love, strategy, and a whole lot of learning. And if the first few chapters are anything to go by, this train is only just leaving the station.
