Meet Our Board of Directors
Janake Benson - Board President
Hello! My name is Janake Benson. I fell in love with the Montessori method years ago when my roommate’s son flourished while attending a Montessori inspired school. Fast forward several years and now my children are flourishing as well. The independence, confidence and social skills my daughter learned at young age was unbelievable. The Montessori method played a major role, but also the amazing dedication of her teachers who were with her for three years at a time was the icing on the cake.
I want every child who can flourish with an alternative approach to learning to be able to have access to the resources and practices of Montessori methods.
One of many favorite quotes by Maria Montessori:
“Our work is not to teach, but to help the absorbent mind in its work of development. How marvelous it would be if by our help, if by an intelligent treatment of the child, if by understanding the needs of his physical life and by feeding his intellect, we could prolong the period of functioning of the absorbent mind!”
― Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
Zach Defina - Board Vice President
Info coming soon!
Chelsea Ireland - Board Treasuer
Info coming soon!
Skylar Nelson - Board Secretary
Hi! My name is Skylar Nelson. I decided to take part in this journey because I love the idea of alternative teaching. These days the typical classroom is over crowded and unfortunately some students get left behind. Every child has a different learning curve as we can not expect them to conform to the teaching “standard”. Which is why I think Montessori teaching is so great! From my personal experience, I was a child who thrived with hands on learning but, not every classroom gave that opportunity and for that, I always felt behind the other kids. So when I first learned of Montessori teaching, I was thrilled that something like this even existed! And when I got asked to be apart of this board, I couldn’t say no!
“We serve the future by protecting the present” - Maria Montessori
Gabriela Maciel - Volunteer
Community Connection Coordinator
My Montessori story.
Welcome, I’m Gabriela Maciel. Montessori style learning was a happy accident for our family. At 3 years old my daughter told me she was ready for school but because of her age it wasn’t her time. While exploring early learning options for her I stumbled upon a Montessori style learning school. While I wasn’t specifically looking for Montessori, I would have never known what my daughter could be capable of now at 5 years old. She has become a well-rounded young human who has prospered beyond her years. Being able to learn at her own pace, with an individualized curriculum, taught one on one by her teacher, is now the only way I can see her reaching towards her unlimited potential. My son will also be enrolled into a Montessori program so he can do the same.
I believe in Montessori for any child because they will be supported and challenged by their teachers and peers to become their best self. Making this alternative learning approach available to more families who believe their kids are starving for growth; in ways such as, a thirst for knowledge, a hunger for friendship by socialized learning or physical need for more individualized curriculum, has become a passion of mine.
“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.”
-Maria Montessori