Our Community
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver exceptional early childhood education to our community, drawing from the genuine Montessori Method and the enriching experiences of nature play within an aesthetically pleasing setting. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where the Student, the Guide, and the Environment are cherished, valued, and embraced with profound respect, compassion, and affection. Our commitment lies in nurturing the complete growth of every child, recognizing and supporting their emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development.
Our
Vision
Our vision is to inspire a positive transformation within our community by upholding the sacredness of childhood through the Montessori Method and immersion in nature. Guided by this philosophy, we endeavor to celebrate the individuality of every child within a nurturing, emotionally supportive, and academically outstanding atmosphere. Our aspiration is to cultivate a steadfast foundation and ignite a lifelong love for learning in our budding community leaders..
Our Core Values
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The physical, mental, emotional wellness of our students is our first, last, and always priority.
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”.
- Fredrick Douglass
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We pursue educational equity for all children by fostering a sustainable environment of inclusivity.
“It is extremely difficult to reform an adult; childhood is the time for reformation and, for this reason, it is so important. Man is formed at this age and... can be helped at this time. This is the great importance of this age: the character of the adult is formed at this time.”
- Maria Montessori
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Mountain Willow aspires to develop a culture of resilience within our students, families, staff, and community.
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail me ship”.
- Louisa May Alcott
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We are committed to surrounding our students with nature and beauty.
“The child should love everything that he learns, for his mental and emotional growth are to be linked. Whatever is presented to him must be made beautiful and clear striking his imagination. Once this love has been kindled all problems confronting the educationalist will disappear. ”
- Maria Montessori
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We are committed to unifying our community by utilizing Mountain Willow as a gathering place for growth, collaboration, and connection.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller
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Grace and Courtesy is the fabric of our efforts.
“A child who becomes a master of his acts through repeated exercises of grace and courtesy, and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which he has been engaged, is a child filled with health and joy and remarkable for his calmness and discipline.”
- Maria Montessori
Quality is at the Forefront of our Mission.
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Carefully Curated Environment
MWM’s environment feels more like a home than a school. Our classrooms are carefully curated with child-size furniture constructed with raw Baltic birch, which we source from the Baltic region of Europe. All of our furniture is purchased from local and regional craftsmen. The classroom itself is neutral, open-plan, and has a distinct sense of order, beauty and harmony. Everything has a purpose and a place. Our students are able to deeply engage in their own learning, progress at their own pace, and discover learning outcomes through repetition and practice. Learning in our curated environment is largely active, individually paced, often self-correcting, and completely tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student.
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Organic/Locally Sourced Food
It all begins with high quality food! We aim to nurture the whole child, including healthy bodies. MWM partners with a certified chef and nutriitionist to source child friendly recipes and ingredients. We source local, seasonal, and organic whenever possible to ensure our students receive the highest quality and variety of food. MWM meals are served family style, with Love as the secret ingredient. Our students have the opportunity to understand and engage in the process of preparing their meals. We believe food and meal preparation is integral as the child navigates the art of self-care and community.
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Integrated Social/Emotional Learning
Community Partner: Dr. Rebecca Taylor, BHC
In-House Filial Therapy aides in helping children regulate their emotions, tackle difficult developmental stages and master how to understand their world, and life transitions through their child-brain language. We want to grow the social/emotional development through weekly classroom integration. WHAT IS FILIAL THERAPY? Filial therapy has its origins in Child-Centered Play Therapy. However, it focuses on teaching parents and paraprofessionals the clinical skills to provide a therapeutic, secure-attachment based relationship with children!
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Pottery and Fine Arts
Our very own Mountain Willow Artist provides weekly pottery and fine arts lessons for our students. Through open exploration of various mediums, children self-initiate and generate inspiration through their discovery. Various fine art techniques are taught along with art history to provide perspective and the building blocks for creativity.
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Plant and Garden Care
Community Partner: The Living Room and Rian’s Tower Gardens
We have partnered with The Living Room to provide all the plants featured in our environment. Additionally, our environment features organic grow tower provided by Rian’s Tower Gardens. Plant care and gardening education engage our student’s innate wonder and care for the natural world. It offers our students the opportunities to participate in hands-on learning and educates children about natural food sources. Our students will develop an appreciation of environmental stewardship and community connectedness. And all harvested fruits and veggies will be served to our students for snacks and lunch.