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Author: Alejandro Malespin

Farewell to Teachers

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Announcements, Blog, Community News.

We are saddened to share the news of our four departing teachers: Ms. Nozomi, Ms. Fernanda, Ms. Alyssa, and Ms. Kayla.

Nozomi first worked with us near the beginning of the Toddler program and it was a real pleasure to work with her. After working with us for a few years her husband took a new position in Texas and their family moved there and stayed for several years. After she returned to Utah we were delighted to offer her a position at our school again and we have appreciated all that she has contributed to our school community and particularly to her students. From Nozomi.

Fernanda has worked at our school since we began our Toddler program so many years ago. She has a special gift for teaching and a deep understanding of the Montessori philosophy which she always practices. Over the many years she has contributed so much to our community and particularly to the students (and their families) she has taught. Our toddler program will be very different without her.

Alyssa also taught at our school near the beginning of our Toddler program but later pursued an alternative career, married and had her lovely little Elanor. This year she returned to teach at our school and joined Fernanda in the Moons class. They have been a close knit team and have offered so much to your children. Our Admin team is very grateful for their contributions. From Fernanda & Alyssa.

Kayla began working as an assistant teacher with Ms. Ruby and it was clear that she had a natural gift as a teacher and was so well suited to working in a Montessori school. After a few years she completed her education to become a Certified Montessori teacher and continued to work with Ruby in the Aspens class. This year she moved to the Magnolias class as the head teacher and has been a wonderful guide and will be really missed by her co-teachers, who will continue to work together with a new certified teacher. It has been such a pleasure to work with Kayla. She always has such a pleasant attitude and is so supportive of her peers and the Administration. We will miss her very much but do understand how close she is to her family and how much she is looking forward to living closer to them. From Kayla.

We wish all these valued teachers the very best in their new adventures, and hope to keep in touch.

Arohanui,

Robyn

End of Year Celebration

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Announcements, Blog.

Our End of Year Celebration will take place on June 6th, 2023, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

It will take place on the Green Space, so feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket. There will also be a Magic Show at 6:30pm, and also face painting, carnival games, and treats.

Oscar De La Cruz Ruiz

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Staff Bios, Support Staff.

Oscar moved his family to the US in 2018, seeking a better education and life for his daughter. She is currently at the Utah Military Academy in Riverdale training to be a pilot for the United States. Oscar worked for the Peruvian Air Force for 30 years, starting at age 17. He started with 4 years of boarding school to work on aircraft instruments for 12 years. Then he worked in human resources for 14 years. Besides his family, Oscar is interested in soccer, music, and painting.

Meg Mathews

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Early Childhood Staff, Staff Bios.

Meg was raised in Utah County. She completed two years at Brigham Young University before joining Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake in January 2023. Meg is excited to be working on her Early Childhood Certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies and expects to receive her certificate in the summer of 2025.

At home, Meg enjoys spending her time with her husband and their young daughter. When she finds the time, she loves to create by illustrating or carving custom linocut prints.

Mary Dickerson

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Parent, Testimonials.

Our daughters’ have made very close friends and have remained close over the years. From the perspective of a parent, the teacher community is very tight knit, and there has not been much turnover in the past.

Rob Cordova

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Parent, Testimonials.

FMSL has been a central part of our family for over 13 years. What started out as a solution for daycare has turned into a beautiful community that has helped me raise four children with the assistance of Montessori methodology. The school has been a rock for us through difficult family times and throughout turns in the economy and the pandemic. They have made an effort to know my family and our specific needs and truly be a partner in providing whatever they can for our situation.

Elise Winther

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Specialty Staff, Staff Bios.

Elise Angeline was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she found her passion for dance music and self-expression from a young age naturally and continued in two decades of professional dance training into her adulthood.

Elise explored many different career opportunities, from motherhood to business management to human resources, and serendipitously she found her way into teaching a few years ago.
Elise is now in her third year at Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake and has enjoyed so much of guiding young curious minds.

In her free time, Elise enjoys collecting new hobbies. She loves finding new activities that inspire movement, music, creativity, and nature. Elise enjoys roller skating, rock climbing, dancing, life music, hiking, kayaking, and just enjoying life. She is an avid reader and writer who has been working on her first young adult novel this year.

Elise is excited to continue to play, learn, and grow with the students of FMSL.

Karey Smith

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Early Childhood Staff, Staff Bios.

Karey Smith was born in Lehi and is the oldest of five girls. She was an “Army Brat” and traveled all over until her family settled in New Jersey. She lived in England for a while and then returned to the U.S. to complete her Montessori Infant and Toddler training in Princeton, New Jersey. She then moved to Utah for her Early Childhood Education Montessori training. She has been working in Montessori since the age of 16! She loves to read, listen to music, watch movies, cross-stitch, and spend time with her family. Little known fact about Karey: her sisters are all named with K’s: Krissy, Krisha, Kendra, and Kimberly. Her mom’s name is Karen. Her dad’s name: Bob!! She has been a certified Montessori Guide in Early Childhood for over 27 years and has been at Foothill Montessori since 1997.

Valor in Vernal

Written by Alejandro Malespin on . Posted in Blog.

Administrators from Utah Montessori Council member schools around our state gather each Fall for a weekend of activities and conversations that strengthen our connections, our craft and our souls.

Vernal

This year we traveled to Brandi’s hometown for Valor in Vernal! Brandi facilitated the opening ceremony at her family’s yurt. She held space for us to begin our work for the weekend- a deep dive into the concept of valor. The Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines valor as, “strength of mind or spirit to encounter danger with firmness.”

Brandi’s yurt

Amiee Di Brienza presented our keynote where we explored valor in our schools and our careers.

Petroglyphs

We hiked and explored Dinosaur National Monument. A highlight of our time was the opportunity to meet with and learn from a National Park ranger. Ranger Mason Runs-Through patiently answered our endless questions about paleontology and archeology in this special place.

Ranger Mason Runs Through @Dinosaur National Monument

At the closing ceremony, Emily Squadroni deftly closed the circle on our conversation while providing us with work for our hands as we processed all that we had explored.

Hey fourth graders you can get a FREE pass valid for the duration of your 4th grade school year (September-August). Visit https://www.everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm to learn more.

We all left the retreat with renewed trust in our network of colleagues and empowered to lead with valor.