Staff Spotlight: Amanda Howard

Amanda Howard has been teaching at West Side for the past 5 years and appreciates that teachers at WSM are able to slow down and meet a child where they are.
𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫
𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬.

I have been married to my best friend John for almost 9 years. We share three children together; Christian (7), Emilia (5) and Owen (2). My degree is from the University of Toledo in Anthropology while my Montessori Teaching Credential is from Seton Montessori Institute. I enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures. I have visited 11 countries and hope to visit many more. I also have a passion for running and recently completed my second ½ marathon

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬? (𝐇𝐨𝐰
𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦?)

In the toddler classroom it is most important to me that we are always modeling kind and thoughtful behavior. It is so important that we are modeling respect as adults and the children have the opportunity to practice respecting others, themselves and the environment. This is something that is so important and will carry with the children throughout their lives. 

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢?

In a world that can be so busy I most appreciate at West Side that we are able to slow down and meet a child where there are. There is no one size fits all plan. Children are able to access the materials they need most at any given time during their development. The environment is prepared for the child. Some of our youngest students display such confidence and pride through their independence.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞?

West Side is like a family. The community here is incredibly supportive. If you are just starting your Montessori journey at West Side or have been a parent here for many years; you will find many like-minded people who want you and your child to succeed. Every time I have a question or concern I am able to find another parent or staff member with words of wisdom and support. Don't be afraid to reach out!
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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.