Letter from the founder of Mini Montessori Academy:
In 2010, Mini Montessori Academy was founded by Minnette Taylor an early childhood educator. At the time, she was operating G & T Daycare a family daycare educational facility. She first learned about Maria Montessori and her creative approach to early childhood education when she attended a Chestnut Hill College Montessorianism open house. Around this time Minnette was looking for a method to educate young children in a meaningful way without chastising or pressing children into learning. As she walked into the room she started to observe the materials and look around the classroom. While she was amazed at the wonderful materials she overhead over colleagues talking about the meaning of the materials and how they are used. At that moment she was struck by two major differences: children could select activities on their own and from an early age, developed the ability to discipline themselves and to “live and work” peacefully in a community. Wanting to learn more, she sat down and waited until this little lady started to speak. He name was Mrs. Marry, she spoke with a soft tone voice about, “Maria Montessori: Her Life and Her Work” by E.M. Standing. From that time on, Montessori was to become Minnette’s life’s work.
Upon Minnette receiving her Master’s in early childhood education and AMS Primary Diploma in 2015, she transformed G & T Daycare a Star 4 family childcare into first Montessori family school in Northeast Philadelphia. In 2014, she helped build a Montessori program in Masjidullah Early Child Care Academy (MECCA) located in West Oak Lane area of Philadelphia and several other childcare programs who chooses to incorporate the Montessori Curriculum. Following opportunities included teaching positions through the Teach 4 Teach program in Philadelphia and Delaware.
When the opportunity to start Mini Montessori Academy (MMA) arose, several points were crucial to its formation: it had to embrace Maria Montessori’s original ideas and be an authentic “children’s house,” not a school. Once they entered the gate, children would come into an environment dedicated to meeting their needs at their pace of life. MMA was also to serve the family, helping parents to best support their children’s early years by providing classes and guidance. For years to come. MMA will grow to serve as an “extended family” with activities and traditions that provide lifetime memories for the children and their parents.
Sincerely,
Minnette Taylor, M. Ed.
Founding Head of School