The school director, Ms. Lee Falabella, has a B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Hayward, ECE graduate courses at Wheelock College, received teacher training from the New England Montessori Institute, and is certified by the American Montessori Society. Lead teachers hired have all received their Montessori training beyond the 4 year college degree and certification. Each staff member also brings to the position a wide range of useful experiences, and a thorough knowledge of the developmental needs of children.

PHILOSOPHY

The basic philosophy for the school stems from the approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy's first woman doctor. In 1907 she established a series of day care centers for the children of the working class people in Rome. She guided these street children into the classroom environment where they took delight in learning puzzles, perceptual learning devices, and everyday living skills that reinforced their independence and self-respect. For fifty years Dr. Montessori studied the child and developed a system from the training of teachers to everyday methods that make sense in the classroom.

In today's classroom the basic ideas have withstood the test of time. Self-respect is nurtured through respect for other children and adults, through the care of the material in the classroom, and for things in nature. The child's natural curiosity and need for constant movement is designed to fit into the learning environment of the classroom. The classroom materials are designed to be self correcting and progressively challenging. The children are governed by a few simple ground rules to underline the important element of respect. They are given a great deal of freedom, but are never licensed to disrupt others around them.