“In Their Own Words”

MSIMS Staff Stories

JULIA HOOK

1. Name and Role:

My current role is a Lead Guide in the Bluebird YCC program. This serves children from 12mo to 3yrs. 

2. What brought you to Montessori education?

I began my journey in Early Childhood education in traditional Preschools in the hopes to gain enough experience to obtain my Teaching Credential and become a Kindergarten teacher. My experiences led me to Front Range Community College where I met an amazing Professor who was also a Montessori trained Guide. I would often ask her about behaviors I was seeing or having challenges with and she would give me simple activities; for example: put a tray, with two bowls and some beans and a spoon in front of the child, see what happens. These activities (while somewhat foreign to me at the time) always worked for the behaviors. I finally came back to her and asked her where they stemmed from–Montessori!! Thus began my deep dive into Montessori Training and pedagogy. I had the privilege of working for Koral the Summer before I left for my Primary (3-6) training and it was transformative and I was convinced I had found the key I was searching for from that time on. 

3. What’s something you love most about your work?

My absolute favorite aspect of what I do is seeing a human being transform before my eyes. One day they’re crawling and the next day they are walking! One day they are screaming and crying and refusing to come into class and within a week they hardly stop to say Goodbye. There is something so magical about the Montessori pedagogy in that it shows immense respect for the child as a human being–the children feel this and immediately feel connected and loved as a result. 

4. How has Montessori shaped your personal or professional growth?

Montessori education has aided in my ability to self-reflect and grow as a human being, a mother and a person in relationship with others. Children are the most amazing teachers, when we allow ourselves to observe and then reflect we recognize our own unmet needs or areas of growth. In no other career are you constantly evolving to such a degree or constant rate. 

5. Describe a meaningful or joyful moment from your time at MSIMS.

There are SO many joyful moments here! One day when a new child was starting and having a hard time; crying and calling for Mama, I invited them to breathe with me and just take a moment. And they did it! Though this child was only 15 months old, they looked at me, took my hands and took a nice big breath. Such joy in seeing a child so new and so young to be able to self-regulate and bring themself around to the experience. Also, my students are often offering hugs to each other right now and I adore how much they care about one another. 

6. What do you hope children take with them when they leave your classroom or care?

Joy, love of learning and confidence. My goal with every student who crosses my path is to aid them in feeling confident of their innate capabilities and find joy in the learning process. With these two things the world is their oyster. 

7. What’s something your colleagues or families might not know about you?

I do not enjoy team sports, but I loved playing ice hockey when I was little! 

8. How do you personally connect with our school’s values or the theme “Ubuntu: I am because we are”?

I truly believe in this theme. Without our community we are not whole, without working together and valuing each other we are not able to achieve our goals. An individual is only as strong as the people they surround themselves with, without my community I am lost. 

9. Favorite Montessori material or lesson? Why?

When my trainer first showed us a lesson on the Trinomial Cube I literally felt my mind explode. Years of devastation and confusion with math and numbers and abstract concepts melded into the beginning of an understanding with this simple, beautiful and concrete work. 

10. Any words of wisdom, reflection, or encouragement you'd like to share with the MSIMS community?

Take advantage of the school community, these parents and teachers and staff members all form the village for your child’s growing and formative years. They can make or break your experience as a parent and without taking full advantage of the community a school builds, your child’s learning is not as complete as it could be. No child comes into the world with a manual and none of us are “experts” in parenting, but together, sharing common experiences or knowledge we can be the best parents possible.