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MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide quality Montessori education to the children of the White Mountains.  In accordance with Dr. Montessori's theory and philosophy we believe that the preschool years are the formative years in human development, and we strive to provide the highest quality education in these vital years.  the population of the White Mountains is ethnically, culturally and economically diverse.  We will make our classes representative of this diversity.  We seek the betterment of society through providing  an environment in which children live in harmony with and appreciation of one another.  As children are our promise for peace, we seek to bring this peace to all.

ABOUT US

We have created a Montessori environment in which children can develop themselves independently using didactic (self-correcting) materials.  The Montessori Directress acts as a guide for the child, giving presentations of the materials and allowing the child to repeat the exercise at the direction of their urgings.  These urges to manipulate the environment and work with the materials are the result of the child's sensitive periods of development, during which the child is attracted to certain activities above all others.  Your child will have the freedom to follow this inner direction, with the Montessori Directress always aware of the growth and development that is occurring, and she will provide your child with the next level of work which can further aid in their development.  The Directress also helps the child learn to respect the  work of others while enjoying conversation and freedom of movement in the classroom.  Children love Montessori because they are loved and respected for being unique individuals in the process of constructing themselves.

Montessori offers a complete educational program for even the youngest child, and the lessons are presented in ways that allow the child to absorb the knowledge effortlessly as part of his natural development.  Every child has one-on-one lessons and interaction with others throughout the day.

The Montessori prepared environment has a full range of materials; including the Exercises of Practical Life, the Sensorial Apparatus, Language Exercises, Mathematics Exercises, and work in cultural areas including geography, science, art, music, biology, and botany.

According to Dr. Maria Montessori, it is the duty of the Montessori Directress to see that "the environment is treated with respect, and to cultivate an approach which conveys the impression of communal ownership and a familiarity of careful usage."  When accidents happen, they provide the opportunity of introducing living techniques--such as how to avoid spilling water, or how to do things quietly and correctly without disturbing your neighbor.  Manners, habits, and customs are demonstrated with great patience, kindness and love.

Parents are welcome to observe our classroom, and may make an appointment to do so.  Observers will be given guidelines for observing a Montessori classroom.  We will conduct periodic parent conferences, educational meetings, and will inform parents about Montessori.  Overview courses may be held throughout the course of the year.  We also encourage you to borrow books and tapes from our Montessori library, which will grow as the school grows.  You may find that you want to implement some of Dr. Montessori's philosophies and practices into your family life as well.  We have a partnership with parents in raising joyful children with healthy personalities and love of learning which will last a lifetime.  The child is the most important member of society--the  representative of the future, and our promise for peace.

Again, welcome to White Mountain Montessori Schools.

OUR TEACHERS

Panda Causey, Montessori Directress and 3-6 Year-Old Program Teacher

Panda came to WHITE MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL from Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  She is the mother of three sons, the two youngest of whom are with her and her husband Vince.  Their oldest son is in the Army.  Panda is a certified AMS teacher and has worked with children from mentally challenged to gifted, in a variety of fields, for twenty years.  Panda has a strong interest in the language area and hopes to increase our small library.

Melissa Miller, 6-9 Year-Old Program Teacher

Melissa is a Certified Montessori Teacher for the 6-9 year old age level, Arizona State Certified Teaching Credential.  She worked at Villa Montessori in Phoenix for seven years before moving to the WHITE MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL with her family.  Melissa has two daughters, Autumn and Amber, 12 and 14 years old.  Her husband Ron Miller works for the BIA in White River as a planning forester.

Janet Krening, 3-6 Year-Old Program Assistant Teacher

The reason Jan works at WHITE MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL is the children!  She says that they teach her daily.  One of her favorite quotes comes from Maria Montessori:  "Avoiding war is the work of politics.  Establishing peace is the work of education."

Kathy Heiser, 3-6 Year-Old Program Assistant Teacher

Kathy is a mother of two and grandmother of one!  She has been with White Mountain Montessori for two years and is looking forward to another successful year with the 3-6 year-olds.  She has provided home day care in the White Mountains for 20 years and enjoys continuing to build relationships with the Montessori families.

Debbie, 3-6 Year-Old Program Assistant Teacher

Debbie is a native Arizonan with 3 children: Andrea, 26, Clinton, 22, and Devon, 18.  She also has one grandchild, Aurora, age 18 months.  Debbie's great area of interest is in teaching the children art appreciation.  She teaches both through lessons, and working with the children on a variety of art projects.

Eithne Stover, Music Teacher

 

ENROLLMENT

3-6 Year-Old Program:  Teacher-Student Ratio is 1 to 10 or fewer students.

6-9 Year-Old Program:  Teacher-Student Ratio is 1 to 12 or fewer students (plus one classroom Assistant).