I had heard of “Montessori Schools”, but didn’t know what they were, or who Maria Montessori was, until we began the search to find a preschool that would be a good fit for our second son. My oldest had gone to a very traditional preschool, and while we thought it was fine, we didn’t necessarily feel that the “one size fits all” approach and the curriculum supported the long-term development of our son. We didn’t even realize what we were looking for until we walked into Blue Mountain Montessori. Immediately, my husband and I realized we’d found “it”. Seeing an entire school built just for early childhood age children, learning about how the different works in the classroom would support all aspects of my son’s development, and hearing the passion in the teacher’s voices as they spoke about the Montessori method, made our decision to enroll our son a very easy one.

Over the last year-and-a-half, I have continued to learn about the Montessori method, and of course, the best part is to see it come to life, as my son has blossomed from a timid pre-schooler into a motivated and confidant classroom leader. I truly believe that he has learned skills over the last two school years that will shape the way he learns and interacts with the world from now on.

Most of my early work experience was with children. From being a sought-after babysitter with a box of projects and materials I would haul from house to house, to completing an elementary education internship in my senior year of high school, and teaching a tumbling class to preschoolers while in college, I have long sought to get back into education in some way. As my kids started to get a little older, and I thought about a long-term career, I knew I wanted to work with children, but was a little hesitant about entering the world of public school teaching. One day, while volunteering at Blue Mountain Montessori, it hit me… I couldn’t wait to find out more about becoming a Montessori teacher. I am so impressed at how the teachers engage with the children at their level. Rather than reciting directions to a room-full of disengaged kids, the teachers are on the floor, demonstrating works and supporting the children as they are able to manipulate activities. Each child is met with a work that is appropriate for them, and once they have mastered it, they can move on. I can’t remember a time that I’ve been more excited to embark on a new journey and challenge, and am thrilled at the prospect of working with kids again on a daily basis in the safe and warm environment of a Montessori school.

The Montessori approach to educating the whole child is something I feel passionately about. Watching the children master things like pouring and buttoning, which enables them to take care of themselves and contribute around the house seems so simple, but is critical in boosting a child’s confidence and sense of self. Learning to show grace and courtesy with peers and solve problems in an effective way, without the intervention of an adult, is so important in a culture that increasingly seems to have parents jumping in at moment’s notice. The Montessori Method lays the foundation for self-reliant and independent young citizens.

In the Montessori classroom, I will be able to connect with the children to ensure that the right materials are at their disposal to engage them in their work. I am naturally curious and excited to learn as much about the Montessori Method and it’s implementation as possible. I am looking forward to integrating my love of art and creativity in the classroom, as well as my appreciation of nature and the outdoors. I am eager to build relationships with the parents in the school community, in order to help them reinforce their children’s experiences in their own home, which is something that as a parent, I have enjoyed as well. I have years of experience working on productive teams, and look forward to contributing to a group of like minded individuals. I am kind, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with people and learning about them and their life experiences.

In “The Absorbent Mind”, Maria Montessori shares that education is something that develops naturally, not something that is taught. I really connected with her example of children learning their first language; they learn to speak on their own, by absorbing everything around them, and even if they attempt to learn another language later in life, it is never as easy or fluid as the language that they learned in their first years. I have realized that so much of a child’s education is making sure they have the right environment to encourage exploration, and then observing their progress. I look forward to becoming part of the community at Montessori Education Center of the Rockies and realizing my goal of having a meaningful job that allows me to make an impact as a successful teacher.