Our School Staff

Our Montessori Trained and Certified Teachers

Here are the people who create a safe haven for your kids at the Montessori Academy of Valparaiso. Our staff takes a hands-on approach to learning and enabling the full development of manners and socialization in your kids. Call us to tour our facility and meet our staff.

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The Role of the Montessori Teacher

Caregiver

The teacher’s most important role. A caregiver strives to put aside her teaching and personal motives to serve the child’s developmental needs. A caregiver is a reflective student of her own growth and development. Above all else, a caregiver is kind.

Guide

The guardian angel of the child’s health, safety, and well-being. A guide strives to be physically present and available to the children. To be present means to be physically in the place and the time where we are needed most. To be available is the capacity to remain emotionally open and understanding in the face of the child’s ever-evolving needs.

Companion

A partner who helps the child to know her mind and to own it. A companion strives to always see the child’s world and herself through the child’s eyes. A companion is a genuine friend who understands the joy of giving without expectation of return.

Educator

A collaborator with the child’s emerging skills and her parent’s developing understanding of childhood. An educator strives to perfect her approach to the child, master the content of her presentations, and develop her ability to interpret for the child.

Colleague

A colleague treats her assistants, fellow teachers, and administrators with honor and respect. A colleague strives to offer the members of her school’s community the best of herself.

Professional

A professional strives to be a pleasure to work with. She seeks a home where she is respected and her work is honored. A professional strives to keep her peace with the children, parents, and peers, regardless of her personal feelings at the moment. Where caregiving matters are at stake, she is uncompromising and speaks her mind in a kind and forthright manner. She abides in a place where she is warmly supported and where she can reliably do her best work.

Our teaching faculty is comprised of dedicated and talented teachers who are committed and caring educators. At the Montessori Academy, our classrooms are led by the following head teachers.

Meet Our Staff

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Miss Dawn

Miss Dawn is the owner, administrator, and coordinator of the Montessori preschool program. She also serves as a head teacher. She started the Montessori Academy in the fall of 2001. The children have benefited from Miss Dawn’s expertise in child development and the Montessori approach. She holds an AMS credential in Early Childhood Education. She believes in the Montessori method as it establishes a strong and nurturing relationship between the teacher and the student. Each child reaches his /her own potential by mastering the skills. Every individual in the classroom carves his / her own path of excellence. Miss Dawn came to Montessori through her children. After having her 4 children attend a Montessori preschool and seeing the joy they developed for learning, Miss Dawn decided to change careers and become a Montessori Teacher. After starting the Montessori Academy of NWI and teaching there for 10 years, she had the opportunity to purchase the Montessori Academy of Valparaiso. It was a school that had been established for 30 years. Since 2010, she has been the Owner and Administrator for both locations.

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Miss Kim

Miss Kim has been at the Montessori Academy of NWI for 20 years. Her love for Montessori began when she enrolled her daughter in our program. She saw her learn and grow in the environment and decided to get her credentials for the 3-6 preschool program. Miss Kim believes in supporting children to achieve their highest potential. This has been very rewarding for her! She believes that children learn best in a nurturing atmosphere where they feel free to be creative and express themselves. Providing children with a developmentally appropriate environment that promotes their self-esteem, and encourages them to interact with peers and with curriculum/natural materials in meaningful ways, is one of my priorities. When children feel empowered to make appropriate choices and are respected for who they are, they thrive!

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Miss Charlotte

Miss Charlotte decided on a career in education because she was passionate about creating an environment for children that supports and encourages a love for learning from a young age. She will often say, "Toddlers are my people," because I truly enjoy what I do and appreciate each unique personality that I meet in our toddler community. The toddler years go by quickly, and it is a privilege to have this opportunity to support each child during a time of incredible growth. She looks forward to each new partnership with families, as together we support and encourage the children. Montessori Academy of NWI is a place where we gather to dedicate our time, thoughts, and love to this common goal and value: The children. Miss Charlotte enjoys staying active and loves outdoor activities. This keeps her able and ready to handle the energy that the toddlers bring to the classroom. Miss Charlotte has been with us for 8 years, working with our toddlers. She has brought so much to our program.

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