About Us

Classroom 1

Irene and Mary have worked together in the classroom since 1990. They agree that the secret to their success is that they complement each other well.

Mary C. joined the Greenhouse Montessori School family in 1985. She loves her job, she loves working with kids, and she doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

A native of Visalia, Mary studied Early Childhood Development at College of the Sequoias and Sacramento Junior College. She and her husband soon moved back to Visalia with their two children who both received a Montessori education in Visalia. Mary now has three grandchildren, two of which have attended Greenhouse. Aside from spending time with her family, Mary enjoys reading and biking.

Mary’s favorite Montessori materials are the water works from practical life and the trinomial cube from sensorial. She loves Montessori because it teaches children compassion and self-esteem.

Irene G. is inspired by watching children develop their skills as they practice and repeat the simple tasks of practical life work in the Montessori classroom. She is always amazed by the sense of self-worth and pride that children take away from their time in the classroom. Irene has been a fixture at Greenhouse since 1986.

Irene loves to prepare the environment for the children to learn and enjoy. She loves to see the wonder and excitement of the children when a new work is added to the shelf or part of a work is changed to make it more challenging.

Classroom 2
 
Maria is impressed by the Montessori materials because they give the child a methodical and concrete experience before they are asked to do something abstract, like count out loud. Maria loves to observe children becoming more independent as they work in her classroom. She has been at Greenhouse since 1995 and continues to be excited about learning.

Maria was raised in Southern California, and now lives in Visalia. She enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Oliver and Thumper.

Mickey started teaching at Greenhouse Montessori School in 1989. Greenhouse gives Mickey a sense of peace when she comes each day. That peaceful, empowering feeling comes from the high level of strong leadership at Greenhouse that children, parents, and staff can count on, and the brilliance of Montessori education.

Mickey was attending College of the Sequoias and working on her teaching credential when she decided to take Montessori training. She is still in awe of Maria Montessori’s intelligence. Research that Montessori presented in the early 1900’s has been proven by more modern medicine and research.

Mickey likes embroidery, knitting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Classroom 3

Kristin has a love for Montessori because it allows her to watch the children explore, touch, and learn without fear at their own pace. She enjoys watching them grow socially, academically and independently. She has been a part of Greenhouse since 2001.

Kristin grew up in Visalia. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Fresno Pacific University. She also has her Early Childhood Montessori Teacher Certification. She is currently working on her California teaching credential. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and reading.

Mary P. joined Greenhouse Montessori School in 2002. Mary loves Montessori because children learn using hands-on tools and are able to work at their own pace. She is a native of Visalia and has three children. Mary loves to spend time with her family and two dogs, Daisy and Sam. Her family also enjoys their newest addition, Fred the cockatiel, which they adopted from Greenhouse.

Shaunda has enjoyed working at Greenhouse Montessori School since 2006. Shaunda loves to read, camp, and spend time with her family and friends. She lives in Visalia with her husband, Josh, and two dogs, Chevy and Loddi. She is finishing her B.A. at Brandman University and will graduate in 2013. Shaunda loves to get to know the children and parents at Greenhouse.

Classroom 4- Kindergarten

Anne & Nina alternate years in the mornings.

Treva is inspired by how Montessori children are encouraged to reach their full potential as individuals as well as a part of the community. She hopes to instill in each child a lifetime love of learning through the joy of discovery.

Treva is an American Montessori Society (AMS)-certified Early Childhood teacher (ages 2-6). She taught at Greenhouse Montessori School from 1983-2002. She holds an M.S. in Counseling; with an emphasis on Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy, and a B.S. in Social Science. She was Site Supervisor of a Tulare County Child Development Center for over seven years. She is thrilled to return to Greenhouse after 10 years away.

Kim began her teaching career at Greenhouse Montessori School in 2011. She thinks preschool and Kindergarten students are at a fun age and that they like to engage in what they are learning. Preparation for life tasks and problem-solving are what Kim admires most about Montessori-educated students. She also knows how valuable freedom of movement in the classroom is to children.

Kim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Fresno Pacific University. She enjoys scrapbooking, which comes in handy when making materials for the classroom.

Classroom 5

Malinda began teaching at Greenhouse Montessori School in 2005, satisfying a lifelong desire to teach. Though she has been working in preschool classrooms since high school, her first true love in teaching is Montessori. Malinda is drawn to the peaceful atmosphere and the engaged independence of the children who collaborate and learn with older and younger peers. Malinda is grateful for the opportunity to be a head teacher and work with Suzanne in the classroom.

Malinda finished her Montessori training before her daughter, Hailey, was born. Hailey will be a 2014 Greenhouse graduate. Malinda enjoys spending time with her family and preparing her classroom.

Suzanne has brought beauty and peace to the classrooms at Greenhouse Montessori School since 1993. When she first observed in a Montessori environment, she knew it was a perfect fit for her because of the sense of order and beauty contained within. Suzanne is also drawn to the way that Montessori teachers respect and speak to children.

Suzanne grew up in San Jose and now lives in Visalia with her family close by. She enjoys gardening and recently attended her first American Montessori Society conference. She plans to continue learning with other Montessorians at future conferences.