Meet the WIDE team

Maryam Lumpkin and Marjon Aucoin are the heart behind The WIDE School. Their shared passion for creativity, childhood development, and meaningful education inspired them to create a school they would want for their own children - one that nurtures curiosity, imagination, and a deep love of learning.

• Maryam, the Founder and Director, brings a background in Business and Education. After graduating from Houston Baptist University, she trained under her aunt, Nikou Fatemizadeh, a long-time educator, and eventually led Little Wonders Learning Center before co-founding WIDE. Her vision was always to build a place where childhood is honored and children grow into confident, capable, compassionate adults.

• Marjon, the Creative Director and Head of the Yellow House Program, is an award-winning illustrator and fine artist. She studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has exhibited her work across the country. Her artistic lens and deep respect for children’s creativity help shape the school’s unique project-based, Reggio-inspired approach.

Together, they work side-by-side on campus every day, ensuring the environment, curriculum, and community reflect the school’s core values.

In 2011, they launched their elementary program, The School of Wonders, and in 2016, built the current campus affectionately known as W.I.D.E. — a place where children can Wonder, Investigate, Discover, and Educate themselves and the world around them.

In 2025, The WIDE School celebrated two major milestones:

• Completion of a second building, expanding the learning environment and opportunities for students across all grade levels.

• Hosting its first graduating class, a proud and powerful moment for the entire WIDE community.

Maryam and Marjon’s dream was simple: a school that feels like family. And now, thanks to the incredible families, staff, and students who make up our community, that dream is alive and growing every day.