Introduction to Head Directresses
Mission Statement
Montessori Education
The Program
The Curriculum
Tuition Schedule
Enrollment Application

Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori Center was founded by Mrs. Jan Vickery and Mrs. Shirin Bhaloo in January, 1995 on the belief that every child should be helped to reach their maximum potential and that every child has the right to be treated with love and respect in their school environment.

Mrs. Vickery has been involved in Montessori Education since 1975 and holds her pre-primary certification from the American Montessori Society.

Mrs. Bhaloo has been involved in Montessori Education since 1965 and holds her pre-primary certification from the St. Nicholas training center in London, England.

Mrs. Virginia "Ginny" Weinbrenner has had twenty years teaching experience. She has her BA in Elementary Education with Masters Degree level units in teaching elementary reading. Mrs. Ginny holds her pre-primary certification from the American Montessori Society.

Mrs. Julia Giangregorio team teaches with Mrs. Jan Vickery. She has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and has been involved in early childhood education since 1986. She holds her Montessori pre-primary certification from the American Montessori Society.

Mrs. Meaghan McClung came to us from Canada and has been with our school since 1999. Meaghan also holds her Montessori pre-primary certification from American Montessori Society. She presently team teaches with Mrs. Shirin Bhaloo.

How Do You Tell If It Is Really Montessori?
The Montessori name is not protected by copyright, so how do you know if a school is a "real Montessori?" Here are some things to look for:

Dr. Maria Montessori distinguished herself not only as the first female medical doctor in Italy, but also as a dedicated scientist and educator.

She established the first "Casa dei Bambino" (Children's House) in Rome in 1907, and through extensive observation and insight, developed an approach to child education which encompassed a new philosophy of education.

The teachers role is to connect the child to the Montessori materials and resources of the classroom and to maintain a calm, peaceful classroom environment to aid concentration. The children learn through concentration on, and interaction with, the Montessori materials.

Excitement over the Montessori method of education exploded in North America with the publication of an article in McClure's Magazine in 1911 entitled, "An Educational Wonder Worker: The Methods of Maria Montessori." The first North American Montessori School was opened in New York in 1911 by Dr. Montessori's first American student Anne George. Today Montessori's philosophy and methods of education are respected and practiced world wide.

Dr. Montessori continued to lecture, write books and train students in her teaching method until her death in 1952.

Our program is designed for children 2 1/2 years of age through kindergarten. In order to be enrolled, all children must be able to use the bathroom independently.
The children in Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori spend a good portion of their time during the day involved in both group and individual lessons using Montessori equipment.
Additional lessons include Spanish, Art, Art Appreciation, Music and Physical Education.

Special events such as visits from professional storytellers, magicians, environmentalists/nature lovers and planetarium shows play an important role in the children's education.

Our student/staff ratio is 1 adult for every 7 students.

Montessori education employs a mixed-age grouping so that children may move at their individual appropriate academic pace while staying with their social peers. Children also have the opportunity to teach and assist others with subjects they have already learned about. This provides a review of their skills while developing confidence and self-esteem. The mixed-age group also mirrors the world they are preparing to enter and provides opportunity for fully developing the skills required to live effectively in our society.

Parents are encouraged to continue the child in Montessori through their kindergarten year in order to receive the maximum long term advantage from the experience.

Sensorial:
The sensorial materials in the Montessori classroom are perceptual, didactic materials. The materials help the child develop organization skills and help refine the use of all five senses in learning. Many of the sensorial materials are based on mathematical concepts.

Language:
The language program stimulates self expression and confidence. Through a phonetic approach, a firm basis in spelling and reading is developed. Because of these acquired skills, reading becomes effortless and pleasurable.

Mathematics:
Math has been a stumbling block for some children, not because of its nature, but because of the way it is presented to the child. Montessori materials allow the child to see, concretely instead of abstractly, the quantity and later the function that he or she is performing. This hands-on approach allows the child to experience rather than memorize math.

Practical Life:
This introductory area includes care of self, care of environment, grace and courtesy. Montessori exercises for these include the dressing frames, sweeping and greeting. While the child is learning these practical skills, he or she is also developing concentration, advancing his or her independence and increasing his or her small muscle control.

Social Studies:
The study of geography begins in the pre-primary classes with the use of large puzzle maps and the simple globes. Social Studies includes the needs of man and the acceptance of every human being's special gifts.

Science:
The study of science is pursued through real life objects in the classroom. Plants and animals are studied in the classroom, and experiments with magnets, water and plants are undertaken as a group or individually. Cards for studying botany, zoology and physiology are always available to the child.

Creative Arts Program: