Maria Montessori said, "The secret to good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination." This quote embodies my own teaching philosophy.

This fall is the beginning of my sixth year at Four Corners Montessori Academy. I am an AMS (American Montessori Society) certified teacher, an instructor at the Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center, and have been involved in Montessori education for over ninteen years. I received my B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Rochester College and I am currently working on my M.S. in Educational Leadership.  I feel grateful and honored to be working with your children.   I try always to remember that the children in my care are taking their first steps in what I would hope would be a life-long journey in education. There should be a joyousness to learning. My goal is to help your children love to learn. I want them to embrace the process without fear or trepidation. 

I also have experience as a Montessori parent. Each of my three daughters began their educational journeys in a Montessori school. This fall my oldest daughter, Alex, 21, will take on her new role as the administrative assistant for FCMA's middle school program, my middle daughter, Jordan, 17, graduated from FCMA's middle school program four years ago and is a senior in high school this year, and my youngest daughter, Kenedy, 15, graduated from FCMA two years ago and is a high school sophomore.  Therefore I have learned first-hand that this is a great gift that you are giving your children.

I look forward to getting to know each of you this upcoming school year and welcome any ideas, questions or comments you may have.

Sincerely,

Stacy M. Byrd

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello. My name is Sarah Bowers and I am excited to be the assistant teacher in the Bonsai room this year. My background and Bachelor’s degree is in social work. I found that working with children and families was deeply rewarding. I had the privilege of working in a home visiting program where I provided support and education to families with children from the time of their birth until they transitioned into kindergarten. The preschool years are precious and what a warm and inviting place you have chosen for your child. This summer I attended the assistant training at the Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center and am looking forward to supporting Ms. Stacy and all your children this year. I am married and we have two children, Jack and Elsa, who also attend FCMA. Elsa absolutely loved her time in the Bonsai room last year. In my free time, I love to do all sorts of paper crafts and creations and my dream is to someday write and illustrate children’s books.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________