How did you discover Montessori?

At 16, I first walked into a Montessori school in the mountains of North Carolina just to see if I could visit and learn about this type of school. Later, two friends of mine were teachers there, and I came as often as I could. Fifteen years later, a family friend convinced us to send our son to the Mount Sopris Montessori School in Carbondale, Colorado, and convinced me to also begin teaching there.

Why do you love being a Montessori teacher?

I love being a Montessorian because it supports people to learn all they can, to collaborate on learning and teaching, and to become people who contribute to their communities.

What attracted you to WSM?

I admired the absolute dedication to being a fully authentic Montessori home for children and their families, and the commitment to the work involved.

What are your credentials?

I have been an educator for forty years, twenty-seven of those in Montessori schools. A Primary overview trainer for a local elementary Montessori school, and a parent coach since 2004, I was happy to become the author of a new book based on my experiences and practice, Long Range Respect.