Faculty

Administrative Team

Together Ms. Malinda (Head of School) and Ms. Amy (Assistant Director) administrate the daily operation of the Little Learners Lodge and Montessori of Mount Pleasant (MMPSchool) child care program. Their four plus decades of experience as Montessori certified and RIE trained guides in the classroom makes them uniquely qualified to not only provide a physically safe environment, but also one that promotes the social and emotional well-being of children, parents and teachers.

Additionally, the Administrative Team is responsible for daily parental communication, complying with local and state regulatory agencies, coordinating enrollment and budgetary needs, and staff recruitment and training. The Team meets weekly with the Pedagogue Team Members and serves the children in the classroom in various capacities. From the top down, being with the children on a daily basis is an essential component of the work we do.

Pedagogue Team Members

The Pedagogue role is filled by experienced and highly trained specialists in the field of early childhood education who are always assessing whether the children are learning as effectively as possible. This person is tasked with understanding the unique characteristics of the group, individual child preferences and styles, providing assistance in creating the curriculum and environment, guiding and supporting caregivers, and resourcing parents.

The Pedagogue Team is composed of Montessori certified, RIE, and Pikler Trained mentor master teachers involved in consulting and training, facilitating Parent Guidance classes, and presenting at local, state and national conferences. The Pedagogue further supports the Teaching Team at MMPSchool as a guide, weekly meeting chair, and documentation specialist.

All-School Environmental Design

With two decades experience working within the Zero-Six community as a certified Montessori guide and RIE trained mentor, Ms. Karen shares her love of creating aesthetically pleasing environments with a focus on the child with the MMP community.

Additional Teaching Team Members

MMPSchool boasts a teaching faculty with 93% RIE Foundations trained, 53% Montessori certified as well as being cross-trained in various progressive models of education. Members of our Team are certified Master Naturalists, RCB positive disciplined trained instructors, certified in Orton-Gillingham, or Reggio experienced. In addition to caring for the well-being of young children on a daily basis, the Team facilitates quarterly Parent Community Meetings, participates in school sponsored paraprofessional training, and meets daily towards guiding the center’s philosophy and approach.

Program Support Team

David and Nicole first began their journey at MMPSchool at RIE and Montessori Teachers. They currently serve the program on a consultation basis providing HR support and introducing new families to the center. Together, they help develop the vision for the center, secure resources and funding for paraprofessional training and growth, and document the work of the demonstration facility. The two are passionate about providing the best care and services to our youngest citizens, supporting the professional growth and development of early childhood professionals, and ensuring that parents have the support and resources they require in meeting their child’s individual growth and development.

David currently serves as Vice Mayor for the City of Satellite Beach and Nicole is a RIE Associate and Foundations Instructor on the Pikler Pedagogue Pathway.