With over 20 years in education—including more than a decade as a Montessori Lead Guide and Head of School—Ms. Amanda brings a deep passion for Montessori philosophy to everything she does. Her journey has taken her from the classroom to administration, and now into teacher training, where she mentors adult learners in applying Montessori principles with confidence and purpose. She holds a Montessori Primary Teaching Certificate, a BA in Psychology, and has completed extensive professional development in areas such as inclusivity and infant and toddler development. Ms. Amanda’s approach to adult education

Each year brings special moments in our Outdoor Community, but this spring offered an extraordinary opportunity for the children in the Yellowstone Primary Community. Through the windows of their classroom and during daily garden time, the children had front row seats to a breathtaking journey—the life cycle of a hummingbird family. It all began with the discovery of a delicate nest, expertly woven and nestled in a protected corner of our outdoor community. From there, the children observed every step of nature’s beautiful process: the careful building of the nest, the

Meet Ms. Harley, our amazing Assistant Head of School at Cantera Montessori! She joined our community in August 2024, bringing with her a strong foundation in child development—earning her degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis just the year before. With three years of teaching experience and a deep appreciation for Montessori education, Ms. Harley is passionate about supporting each child’s natural development through exploration, curiosity, and a nurturing environment. In her leadership role, she enjoys being involved in every part of the school—from behind-the-scenes planning to engaging with

We’re excited to spotlight Ms. Diana, one of our dedicated Montessori guides at Peak Ave Montessori! With over a decade of teaching experience, Ms. Diana brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for early childhood education to her work. She has been with MSOSV for the past two years, and her commitment to nurturing young learners is truly inspiring. Ms. Diana’s love for Montessori education is driven by her belief in the power of independence and choice in a child’s learning journey. Her favorite moments are when she watches

Once Montessori teachers have a strong foundation in Philosophy and Practical Life, the next natural step is diving into Sensorial and Language education—key areas that continue to shape the child’s mind and spirit. We move into Sensorial because the senses are a child’s first pathway to understanding the world. Through hands-on exploration with carefully designed materials, children refine their ability to observe, compare, and classify. For teachers, learning how to present Sensorial work is about awakening a child’s mind—preparing them for future work in math, language, and critical thinking. Then, we transition

Meet Ms. Lizzy! With over 12 years of experience in early childhood education, she brings a wealth of knowledge, warmth, and passion to Cantera Montessori. What began as a way to support her own family quickly became a lifelong calling—one that has led her through many roles, from mentoring educators to guiding entire school communities with purpose. Ms. Lizzy holds a CDA in Primary Education, a State of Texas Childcare Credential, and is currently pursuing her Sage Montessori Credential. After years in traditional early childhood settings, discovering Montessori felt like finding

We’re thrilled to spotlight Ms. Nicole, one of our amazing Montessori guides at Peak Ave Montessori! With over a decade of teaching experience, Ms. Nicole brings warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to authentic Montessori education. Since 2010, she’s dedicated her career to nurturing joyful, peaceful classrooms where children feel valued and capable. Ms. Nicole holds AMI credentials for both the Infant-Toddler and Primary age groups, along with a Master’s in Education and an Inclusive Education Diploma—proof of her passion for lifelong learning and inclusive practices. One of the Montessori principles closest

A Blog Series by Colleen Noll Blog 4 of the 5 Part Series There are practical ways to bring Montessori ideas and principles into your home to aid in your child’s growing independence. The Montessori philosophy guides us to “never to for a child what they can do for themselves”. Bringing Montessori into the home and practicing this philosophy isn’t always as easy as it sounds. However, it is important to understand that when you interfere with a child’s independence, that becomes an obstacle in the development. The message we send is that

Ms. Michele has been immersed in Montessori education since she was 18, and she’s now in her fifth year of teaching. She joined Cantera Montessori when it opened in 2021 as a Lead Guide, bringing with her a deep passion for helping children grow into confident, capable individuals. What inspires her most? Watching children transform—gaining independence, building self-assurance, and stepping into leadership roles within the classroom. It’s this journey that fuels her love for Montessori every day. Outside of school, Ms. Michele is a proud plant lover, a creative home re-decorator, and

We’re so excited to spotlight Ms. Amanda, our incredible Head of School at Peak Ave Montessori! With nearly 13 years of experience working with children—and over 10 years as part of the MSOSV organization—Ms. Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge, heart, and leadership to our community. Her journey began in ABA therapy and community outreach before she discovered her true calling in Montessori education in 2015. Since then, she’s earned a BA in Psychology, a Montessori Primary Credential, and completed extensive training in early childhood education, leadership, and supporting children with