News

What led you to become a Montessori Teacher, and how long have you been at Springmont?  I came to Springmont as a parent in 1998; later I was the librarian and an Assistant in the Upper Elementary program. I was so inspired by and grateful for the Montessori experience that my two children had that I became a trained Montessori Primary Teacher so that I could offer that experience to other children. I enjoy seeing how children become self-directed and confident learners through the Montessori approach to learning and development. 

Do you have a favorite area of the classroom?  Is there a particular lesson you like to give students and why? The Language area, which offers experiences for every child during the entire three-year Primary cycle, is my favorite. The youngest children love expanding their vocabulary with language cards. Later the children use the multi-sensory Sandpaper Letters to learn sounds and their symbols and then they discover the magic of being able to put their thoughts down in a concrete form with the Movable Alphabet. I particularly enjoy giving lessons with the Metal Insets, which not only help the children perfect their handwriting but offer a chance to create beautiful designs. I also love seeing the excitement of a child who has just realized he is putting sounds together and reading!

What do you love best about Springmont? The sense of community that comes with a mixed-age class of children with many different interests is very special.  I love hearing the children share their excitement about events both big and small - a trip to the pumpkin patch, a new puppy, or the news that someone baked banana bread over the weekend.  It is also gratifying to witness the small kindnesses that the children show one another - an older child tying the shoes of a three-year-old or a child who stops his own work to help another child clean up a spill.