About Marie
I have been working with children and families for over fifteen years. My work is informed by my fellow early childhood educators, classroom experience, Montessori training, Reggio-inspired curriculum, child growth and development courses, and all the fine children who “come to teach.”
I’ve been connected to the vibrant early childhood education community in Austin since moving here in 2002. My then seventeen-month-old daughter Julia and I had the opportunity to connect with the creation of Primavera Montessori School. I brought my Montessori background and training into a very intimate toddler program, teaching Julia and an ever-expanding group of other two- and three-year-olds. I was blessed to learn and grow tremendously during the first six years of Primavera, which included co-teaching with Bethany Prescott. Our collaboration profoundly impacted my approach with children and families, opening my heart to a continued quest to respect, challenge, treasure, and serve the early childhood community in Austin.
Julia reads with Tigerlily friends, 2009
I’ve learned that along with a passion for teaching young children, I also love being an entrepreneur. In January 2008 I took a deep breath and launched my first independent venture. Tigerlily Preschool began as a very small class of three children in my living room. My patient and supportive husband Josh agreed to see the flat-screen television move upstairs and Julia (then a third grader!) was also up for the adventure, lending her love and patience to the first year and a half of our home operation. During this time our small class expanded to a group of eight children, ages two through five, assisted by the lovely Nicole Bueno. You may have heard her song, which is a fine tribute to our time together.
In August of 2010 I was honored at the invitation to join the The Olive Tree Learning Center as Director of Learning. This special opportunity allowed me to expand from my Montessori background into the realm of Reggio Emilia-inspired practice, supporting the work of the staff and the OTLC community. I was, in a word, hooked, with what I was learning about facilitating child-directed learning experiences. This fascination with Reggio-inspired practice put me in touch with Sydney Gurewitz Clemens. I had the wonderful experience of beginning my Reggio studies with her in the summer of 2011 and am so pleased to have Sydney’s continued guidance and consultation for our program.
Studying with Sydney, Summer 2011
I’ve come to fall whole heartedly in love with the Reggio-inspired thinking that sings out for our view of the child as competent, full, and actively constructing their own learning. We strive to empower collaboration among the children’s grownups, challenging ourselves to see children better, in order to serve them best.
I am tremendously excited to step back into my work with Tigerlily Preschool, bringing the love, passion, and continued learning I’ve been blessed to experience. We are a small program with tremendous heart, and, always, big dreams.
See you soon,
Marie
Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Southern Early Childhood Association, Texas AEYC and Austin AEYC
p.s. I also like to take pictures.
