Staff Spotlight: Bridgett Miller
Bridgett Miller has been teaching at WSM for 13 years and recently received her certification as a School Garden Educator. She is passionate about teaching children gardening skills and respecting nature.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Your background, your interests, your
dreams, and your hobbies.
My background is in Early Childhood Education. I am a graduate of Lourdes University and have my Ohio pre school fifth grade licensure. Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute is where I completed my Children's House training. I have been teaching in Little House for 11 of my 13 years at West Side.
I am the wife of a hard-working maintenance coordinator, Brent, and we have two children together. Brookelynn (8th grade) and Brayden (5th grade) have attended West Side since they were toddlers.
Our family is heavily involved in 4-H with raising livestock animals and showing at the Fulton County Fair. My husband and I have been 4-H advisors for over 20 years. Brookelynn loves raising sheep, hogs, beef calves, and training dogs. Brayden raises turkeys and has an interest in showing goats.
I am free-spirited and have a variety of interests. My happy place is anything relating to gardening! I recently completed an 80-hour class to become a certified School Garden Educator. Most of my hobbies include art or nature related activities such as painting, flower arranging, music, cooking, swimming, hiking, and fishing. I have been running in 5K events for over a decade. I challenged myself by completing my first half marathon this year. I run for purpose. I enjoy running events that support a worthy cause.
I dream about being more of a minimalist while embracing a homestead lifestyle. I value experiences over material things. I appreciate growing and knowing where my food comes from and how that is beneficial for better health.
What inspires you the most in the Montessori environment?
The authenticity of toddlers in a prepared Montessori environment is what inspires me. Toddlers are the most direct, honest, opinionated and non-judgemental human beings. Toddlers have a natural curiosity and desire to learn and this is fostered by a prepared environment with beautiful, interesting, and developmentally appropriate materials. I give them room to explore and they teach me how to live in the moment.
What is the most important life lesson you'd like to share with your students?
Compassion. I believe at a very young age children start to develop compassion for others and this is something they can carry with them all through life. For my students, it can be as simple as feeding fish, watering plants, observing bees and spiders without fear, and recognizing when a friend is sad and giving them a hug.
“[T]he educators [including parents] behave as do good gardeners and cultivators toward their plants.” - Dr. Maria Montessori, The Formation of Man
What would you tell a prospective family about WSM?
Come observe!
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West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.