How I Got Here…
I am a mom! But, before I dive into my personal journey over the last month, I would like to give you a precursor to how I got here. I moved to Portland, Oregon in the fall of 2009. Shortly after my arrival I found employment through Portland Public Schools working as a Para Educator for special needs children. I was assigned to work with a child at the first public Montessori school in Portland (The Ivy School), in its first year of operation. It didn’t take long for me to become completely immersed in the educational structure of that first-3rd grade classroom. A rather long story short, I quickly found myself completely enthralled with Montessori education. Unfortunately as a product of large budget cuts at the end of that school year, myself and many other para’s were laid off. Luckily I found my way into a neighboring Montessori preschool as an assistant teacher in an infant classroom.
I have been a lover of babies since I was a little girl and could hardly believe my eyes as I walked into this beautiful little haven. I observed the youngest children being independent and stimulated in their infant environment. They used sign language to communicate their needs and desires. They moved their bodies freely around a safe space to explore materials that stimulated all the key elements of their development. They interacted with other babies in their age group, creating what was likely their first peer social engagements. Our job was to love them, support them, care for them and keep them safe. We followed them as they fulfilled their individual needs and problem solved in order to create the most optimal environment for their growth. For me, that job was definitely a dream come true.
I spent 3 years at that school and followed my inspiration into a local Montessori teacher training program at Montessori Northwest. I spent a year and half studying the Montessori philosophy in a condensed course known as, “Assistance to Infancy” which pertains to 0-3 year old development. I have never been so excited and inspired by what I was learning. Since my training concluded I have spent time working more closely with a family that has three young children. During this intimate time with a fabulous Montessori minded family, I was fully supported in my desires to rearrange the children’s environments, while implementing the core values of Montessori based development/education. The children thrived and the parents worked very hard to follow through with the work I was doing with the girls. I am still amazed at their ability to come home after long work days and give their children 100% of their attention with the patience and love that they do.
Working directly with this family also allowed me to set some standards for what is actually realistic when it comes to the guidelines for parenting and to know when to throw a strategy or philosophy out the window!
My hands on experience setting up a home environment to work for three different age groups (infant, toddler and young adolescent) and knowing when to alter it based on their developmental needs was very beneficial. I learned a lot of great strategies to use in the future…which brings me to my current situation. It is my turn now! I have spent so many years enjoying caring for other people’s children that I am now so excited to tackle it myself. I should note that I am hardly tackling it myself, as I have the most supportive and encouraging husband by my side. Together we are ready to tackle this!
In the limited free moments I have, I am going to document and follow my journey through mothering with this blog. Follow along as I attempt to provide for my little girl the most beneficial home environment, filled with stimulating and resourceful materials. I will share with you my personal experiences as a first time mom and how our family adapts to this new and beautiful chapter in our lives. Here’s to new beginnings and following the child every step of the way!