I first discovered my love for working with children in high school, when I began taking Early Childhood Education classes at Bates Technical College while also gaining hands-on experience in the childcare program on campus. Since then, I have worked in different childcare settings with children ranging from 2 months to 30 months old. Altogether, I have 9½ years of professional experience working with infants and toddlers, including experience in a lead teacher role.

I discovered the Montessori philosophy several years ago after coming across an article that sparked my interest and led me to learn more about it. As I researched, I realized I was already incorporating many Montessori principles into the way I parented my own child. I joined Montessori in Motion as an assistant in the infant room and have loved continuing to grow as an educator while deepening my understanding of the Montessori philosophy.

What I love most about Montessori is the respect it has for children as individuals with their own minds, personalities, emotions, and unique ways of learning. I love encouraging independence while also recognizing that every child grows and develops at their own pace. Montessori allows children the freedom to explore, follow their natural curiosity, and discover what truly captures their interest, making learning a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy hiking, exploring new places, and spending quality time with my family. I am a mom of two wonderful children, Ariella, age 7, and Derrick, who will be 1 in September. Being both a mother and an educator has made my love and appreciation for early childhood development even stronger.