Mountain Community Montessori School is the vision of Danielle Stech-Homsy, an experienced, AMI certified elementary Montessori teacher with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. Danielle began her teaching career doing literacy work at a public elementary school in New York City. There she worked with the children of immigrant communities, specifically using poetry and writing to help with English language learning. Her experience in the public school system lead her to explore alternative teaching methodologies. When a friend gave her a copy of Maria Montessori's "The Secret of Childhood" she felt immediately that the Montessori philosophy would be an extensive resource for her future work.

 

In 2015, Danielle received her Elementary Montessori certification from the Association Montessori International (AMI) at Montessori Institute of the Northwest. The rigorous program emphasized the discipline and deep inner work required of a Montessori teacher. She later went on to complete her Master's Degree in Education at Loyola University. After teaching for several years at the established Pacific Rim International School in Emeryville, California, Danielle made the decision to move to the beautiful Sierra foothills in order to be closer to her heart family and young god-son. With her, she brought her dream of creating a small in-home school in collaboration with this very special community of mountain-dwellers.

 

In addition to her training and experience as an elementary teacher, Danielle has enjoyed over a decade of writing, performing and recording her own music. Her love of music and experience with creative process is something she loves to share with the very creative children in her classroom. Danielle has received Level One Kodály music education training (for work with children ages 3-10) and has taught music in elementary, early childhood, toddler and infant Montessori environments.  

 

References and testimonials are available upon request.