Hildale UT – After 27 years in the public school system, a local educator grew disillusioned with the increasing emphasis on conformity over individualized learning. “It felt like we were spending more and more time trying to motivate (manipulate) the students into fitting into the box that was defined by government bureaucracy,” says Margaret Williams. “At the same time, more and more students were coming into the system that didn’t and probably wouldn’t ever fit it. I was searching for ways I could be a better teacher and better meet the struggle at hand. My niece was teaching at a Montessori school in Las Vegas and had invited me down to observe. I took her up on her offer, and you might say it was love at first sight. I loved the respect and trust that existed in that room between the teacher and her students as they freely moved about exploring their interests. I immediately set about finding a way to get training in Montessori education thinking I could make my classroom a better place and become a better teacher. Not far into the training, it occurred to me that this type of education, if taught in its purest form, would not mesh with the public school system. The only option I could see was to start my own school.”
This realization led to the founding of Creekside Montessori, now in its eighth year. The school aims “to work with families to create a peaceful community of diverse, respectful, self-motivated, and independent learners who seek out and joyfully embrace academic and social opportunities.”
Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education. The Montessori Method of teaching was developed by Maria Montessori in the late 18th century. She spent many hours observing children and taking note of how they learn. She devised materials that would encourage children to engage with and learn the skills they need to be successful in life. Her method discourages traditional competitive measurements of achievement, such as grades, tests, and incentive carts, instead focusing on the individual progress and development of each child. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just listening, watching, or reading. Teaching children to teach themselves is integral to the Montessori method, which encourages innovative thinking, independent decision-making, and curiosity-driven learning. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones.
To give a clearer picture of the school’s philosophy, the Montessori method is central to Creekside Montessori’s approach:
The Montessori Method & Creekside’s Approach: The Montessori Method is an educational approach that emphasizes child-led learning, independence, and hands-on exploration. In a Montessori classroom, children typically work individually or in small groups, using specially designed materials to learn at their own pace. The teacher acts as a guide, facilitating learning rather than lecturing. Creekside Montessori tailors this approach to meet the unique needs of its community. Right now we have full Montessori for ages 3-9. Our teachers for our older students have been using Prenda, which is an online program. These teachers are just beginning Montessori training for the older elementary students. I am excited to get to the place where we are 100% Montessori at Creekside. Creekside Montessori is here to work with families to create a peaceful community of diverse, respectful, self-motivated and independent learners who seek out and joyfully embrace academic and social opportunities.
Program Details: Creekside Montessori offers a full Montessori curriculum for children ages 3-9. This includes:
Early Childhood Programs (Ages 3-6): These programs focus on developing foundational skills in areas such as practical life (self-care and environmental care), sensorial exploration, language development, and mathematics.
Elementary Programs (Ages 6-9): The elementary program builds on the early childhood foundation, introducing more advanced concepts in language arts, mathematics, science, history, and cultural studies.
STEAM Integration: Creekside Montessori also integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into its curriculum, fostering problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity through hands-on activities.
Emphasis on Community and Diversity: Creekside Montessori emphasizes the importance of creating a peaceful community of diverse and respectful learners.
Teacher Development: The school values its teachers and emphasizes their ongoing professional development to ensure a high-quality learning environment.
Growth: Creekside Montessori has grown each year since its inception, indicating a growing interest in this educational approach in the community.
Tuition prices for each child depend on many factors, including age, state of residence, length of school days, and more. For more information visit https://creeksideway.com/
