What a great year it will be!

I am so excited to be a part of this community! My name is Gwen Harris and I have been teaching Montessori for the past 34 years. After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 1988 with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, I found Montessori! I started teaching Montessori Toddlers. It was amazing for me to see just how capable very young children were.

I soon after decided to attend formal Montessori training. I attended the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center and received my Elementary 6-12 certification. After teaching at the elementary level for eight years, getting married, and having children, I decided to go back for training and received my Montessori Early Childhood certification. As my four children grew, I again went back to training and received my Secondary I certification. I taught Montessori Middle School for eight years at Crystal Lake Montessori School.

I also had the pleasure of instructing teachers at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center, where I was the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator and presenter for elementary-level geometry, natural sciences, and cultural subjects. My Montessori journey has taken me on more paths as I earned my Master’s in Education at St. Catherine University in December of 2013. I also completed the Master’s in Principal Preparation Program through Concordia University in 2017.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with teachers and students as an Instructional Coach. Every day that I observe students, I become more and more amazed by the Montessori method and philosophy.

I enjoy baking, reading, skiing, and running. I have participated in 13 Chicago Marathons!