New Year, New Gear!
Hello, Hello! Happy New Year!!! Let’s kick it in to gear ⭐️👟
Happiest of new beginnings to you and yours 🤩
2021 is here- YES!!! It feels so amazing to say that, honestly, so so great. I hope this new year’s arrival is giving you a running start for positive changes that we ALL are in need of, for sure!
2020 was rough, really really rough. For some more than others, but we all faced many challenges as we navigated the uncertainty of the world around us and discovered many changes we are to make, for ourselves and for those we care about, love and advocate for. This new year is a welcome step in that positive leap forward.
In the last year I had experiences I had not had before and some others that were enhanced greatly due to the sudden switch we all had to make as our normal lives changed drastically, without giving us time to prepare. Even as an educator of 20 years, I found myself struggling with providing for my students AND my own child, not to mention being kind to ME so I could be there for those who needed me. It was HARD!
But one of the most challenging parts of those few months was the feeling of loss I experienced in not being in my classroom, with my children and my colleagues. Most importantly, though, I felt lost in not being able to help my families as closely as I had before and I really, really wanted to. There were so many emails, phone calls and cards that I answered, trying my best to comfort them all as we worked to get through what was an already emotionally charged time. Parents were struggling in not being able to manage the day to day in their homes and I was struggling in feeling their anxiety over that, and feeling like I just couldn’t do enough. I wanted to reach through the phone, reach through the screen and reach into each email and just give them all a huge hug. What hurt the most was that many of these families felt that they SHOULD know and be able to do this all, and the fact of the matter is, it is not that easy! I tried so much to have them feel that they are not supposed to know it all, that it is hard and that it is all going to be ok. It was that connection of being heard and having their realities understood and challenges validated that essentially got us all through that tough time.
In my career I have worked with many children and have gained a variety of experiences with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. As a parent I have experienced my own child’s development through these beginning stages as well and have learned so much through this relationship, all of which helps me in my work with my students. Through my studies I have gained an appreciation for the child’s needs to reach her fullest potential and work to use this Montessori knowledge to the best of my ability as I guide my child, my students and myself in the process.
Now I have a new goal- to use these same experiences and knowledge I use with my students and own family to guide families in reaching their fullest potential as well. This past year has truly brought to light how much families appreciate and look for a ‘helping hand.’ It made me realize how much it matters to families to have someone on their side: to listen, to make recommendations, to help them think of how to help their child, to understand their feelings and validate their challenges, to appreciate their efforts, and just to be there. I knew this before, but this past year made me SEE it. This experience also helped me to understand how much I appreciate being that helping hand. It takes a village, it is so important to have that village, and I want to be a part of that village! Star Path Montessori is my helping hand reaching out to help YOU and join your village!
This new year is full of possibilities, for you and for your family! Start it off by joining a community that will help you take hold of those possibilities and realize them, learning and having fun in the process! Get those shoes on, get into a new positive flow and start if off with that first step to bringing more connection, understanding, organization, peace and love to your home!
My Illuminate program, a 10 topic, deep-dive into understanding key Montessori principles, has officially launched!!! Episodes will be rolling out for then next few days in preparation for my consulting program, The Path, starting on January 11th. The Path is a year-long community of members that meet virtually on a weekly basis, with meetings structured by 12 topics which dive further into the principles of Montessori with presentations, discussions, exercises, challenges, and much more. This is a fantastic space to gain and give support, and form relationships with others who can relate to you on your journey! This is going to be AWESOME!!!✨⭐️
Can’t wait to welcome you 🤩 See you soon 🌟
Ready, set… GO! 🏃🏽♀️
