Since being introduced to Dr. Maria Montessori’s teaching philosophy almost fifteen years ago, I have become a great admirer of her work and life. In addition to detailed insights into how children learn and grow, she also emphasized and embodied the two values that are most important to our family: kindness and peacefulness. These values are central to my life philosophy and what I most want to impart to my children.

Every day I am thankful that we have had the extreme fortune to join the Montessori Family School community. Education for Peace, Preparation for Life, and A Community for Children - this is not just MFS’s motto; peace, kindness, and love are central to their mission of providing the highest quality Montessori education. Every single staff member of Montessori Family School embodies this mission and practices these values each day.

Our family has been part of the MFS community for almost 9 years, with our daughter Alice graduating from Middle School last year. We plan to be here for 9 more years, to see Galen (5th year in Upper Elementary) and Simon (1st year in Kindergarten Bridge) graduate as well. All of the staff and teachers bring joy and connection into our lives, and every teacher our children have had the fortune to teach them is masterful at communicating that special spark of wonder at learning about the world around us and how we relate to it. Central to the Montessori teaching philosophy is a child-led experience, and all of MFS's teachers, whether guiding 3-year-olds or 14-year-olds, excel at providing both the environment and support to enable this exceptionally well.

While I have the tendency to try and control as much as I can in life, the last three years have been a great opportunity to practice accepting how much is beyond my control. But these hard times have also helped me see the importance of something I can control: the community that our children spend these important years of their childhood in. For them to feel respected and supported every day, to consistently and constantly receive and give kindness, and to learn how to be valued and appreciated members of this peaceful community - that is why we think MFS is such a special place and why we are committed to supporting our school in whatever way we can, including donating to the Annual Fund. We encourage everyone in our amazing community to do the same, to make sure that MFS can continue to realize their mission and values and provide an exceptional education for life.

Paypal: 

paypal.me/montessorifamily

Check: Montessori Family School, 7075 Cutting Blvd, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Invoice: Email Maria at MOSS, CPA to make a pledge and be invoiced

Corporate Matching: Inquire of your employer to see if your gift can be matched.

Jennifer Zeitler

Current Parent (KB, UE)

Alum Parent ‘22

Former Parents' Association Secretary, former President, current member-at-large