After graduating from Edinboro University with a BA in Art History, I moved to Houston, Texas and worked as an art consultant in an art gallery.
I befriended a Montessori teacher and became curious by her work. In an effort to understand the Montessori philosophy, I began working part-time as a teaching assistant in a Montessori classroom. Observing the school children at "work" filled me with awe for the method. I was particularly interested in the gentle but firm way the method, as delivered by the "Directress" or teacher, encouraged not only independence, but fostered self-confidence in each child, and most importantly, established a true love for learning that was obvious by the smiling faces and enthusiastic attitudes of the children. This new-found appreciation led me to leave my job at the art gallery and work instead as a teaching assistant in two Montessori schools.
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Soon after, I moved to Washington, D.C. to attend the Washington Montessori Institute, during which time I lived as a nanny with a family, caring for their three children for the nine months it took to complete my Primary Montessori Certification. While in school, I had the opportunity to intern in several different Montessori classrooms where I mentored under and was influenced by some of the finest teachers I've yet to encounter.
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I moved back to Pittsburgh and began working at the Montessori Center Academy in Glenshaw. After teaching six years, it became apparent to me that the young child could be better served in a Montessori classroom that was part of a home environment; a non-institutionalized atmosphere that would closely relate to the child's own home environment, making the first separation from home to school one that was gentle, easy, and familiar to the child. It also seemed that the ideal way for a young child to foster independence, a sense of order, concentration, coordination, and a respect for each other and all living things was in a small group setting of 6-8 verses 15-20, as is found in most preschools. Coincidentally, I was ready to start a family. Having a classroom in my home, in the event of having a baby, would enable me to continue teaching and care for my own child. And, so it was. My daughter, Kiersten Rose, lived her first five years of life as a Montessori student in her mommy's school!
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I have been teaching in my home since September 1986.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
