Recently, I realized that I have actually spent the last half of my life teaching Montessori. My own Montessori path and upbringing helped pave the journey to reach this point.

I grew up in a suburb on the southside of Chicago in a colorful Greek household. We were always cooking or entertaining or planning our next family vacation.  Although both of my parents were born in America, my grandparents who lived through the Depression were a major influence in my upbringing.

From a young age, we all learned to participate in family life.  Although my older brother and sister remained home for preschool, my mother enrolled me in a Montessori school that had just opened in Palos Heights.  I have fond memories of the practical life work: scrubbing and using the child-sized mop and broom in my classroom.

Unfortunately my “love of learning” came to an abrupt halt when I started Kindergarten in the public school the following year. The teacher repeatedly told me I needed to keep my comments to myself and wait to share until everyone in the class had a chance to speak.  Luckily, I had a few great Elementary teachers along the way who encouraged me to set goals for myself that were more in keeping with my eagerness.

My father had a small grocery store in Alsip and by the time I was old enough to walk there on my own, I would help out fronting shelves and pricing merchandise.  My father was an amazing man who would inspire people to do their best. His enthusiasm and belief in me encouraged me to experience life to its fullest.

As a business major and English minor at Lake Forest College, I was allowed to dabble in many different interests to find my true vocation.  First, I did an internship at the not-for-profit International Visitors Center in Chicago.  Then, I thought I wanted to go into hotel management but after participating in an internship at the Marriot Courtyard, I realized the monotony of the job was not for me.  My junior year, I spent six months in Greece, traveling with an archaeology program. Spending day and night traveling with my classmates and teachers, I had a new found respect for the academic, social and emotional support that the teachers offered us as we traveled through Greece.  Although the subject matter was the same for everyone, our teachers did a great job of adapting the curriculum to meet our individual needs. It was at that time that I realized my calling was in education.

When I returned to Lake Forest College I was ready to switch majors. Before doing so my advisor encouraged me to check out Montessori and assigned me a marketing study at the Montessori Country Day school in Mundelein as part of my business curriculum. This was a perfect way for me to receive my Business Degree and then pursue my Post Graduate Montessori Degree.

I started researching Montessori training programs and decided to move to Milwaukee the following year to receive my International Montessori teaching degree. At the time I had grand hopes of teaching in Australia or Greece.  Upon entering the Montessori training classroom, I had a wonderful feeling of warmth and déjà vu, returning to a place that had brought me such happiness in my childhood.

I spent the next 10 years teaching in a Primary Class (first in Mundelein at the school where I had done the marketing study and then at MSLF). I loved every minute and was so happy that I had found my niche. After I got married, there was an opening in the Administration, and Lissa Hektor, the Executive Director, encouraged me to join her as the Admissions Director and Summer Camp Director.

The students joined me in a mock wedding celebration and my tenure in the classroom came to a brief halt. Ms. Levandowski, who originally worked as my assistant, took her Montessori training, completed her internship with me and eventually took over my class.  As the Admissions Director, I enjoyed working with families but greatly missed the children. Luckily during that time my own daughter was born and I was able to apply my Montessori training to her Montessori education. She was the school mascot (affectionately referred to as “Baby Gianna”) and would often take naps in the office. When she was 15 months old, she joined the MSLF Toddler Community and has been enrolled at the school ever since.

Gianna has greatly benefited from her Montessori education.  She is currently an 8th year student at our Blue House Adolescent Program.  She is an avid and dedicated figure skater.  We begin most mornings at 6AM at the skating rink where she practices her moves, jumps and routines.  I believe her Montessori foundation has helped inspire her values of perseverance and dedication.  So many of the wonderful traits that we try to foster in the classroom, I am witnessing in my own daughter.

Both at home with Gianna and at school, I continue my Yiayia’s tradition of baking.  Every morning my students help to create a baking dough or grain base that is then formed, topped and baked as a snack in the classroom.  As part of the Adolescent Program curriculum at the Blue House, Gianna has the opportunity to plan, shop, cook and clean up her weekly lunches.  And I am proud to say that Gianna is carrying on the tradition of her Greek ancestors as she loves making “recipe-inspired” dishes to share with her friends.

In addition to baking for my students, family and friends, I started up a biscotti business a few years ago at the urging of my nieces.  My Italian mother-in-law shared her biscotti recipe with me when we got married.  What started as holiday gifts for my friends has grown into a little side business to fund Gianna’s figure skating.  It is called Dolce Mia Biscotti. Every month, I offer a few flavors of biscotti and gluten free Energy Drop cookies.  There is something always brewing at our house.

On the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my family.  On Sundays, I teach preschool at the Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church.  I also run their Vacation Church School program.

I am so fortunate that I received a Montessori foundation and that Montessori is still a part of my life. I love spending my days with like-minded individuals who love learning and enjoy life. I think the world would be a better place if everyone followed the simple model of a Montessori classroom!

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