“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.”
- Maria Montessori
Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female graduate of the University of Rome Medical School, our philosophy of education focuses attention on the whole child. Our goal is to help children reach their full potential in all areas of life by allowing them the freedom to pursue their interests under the guidance of a specially trained Montessori teacher.
The Montessori approach begins with a specifically designed environment that gives access to a variety of materials and objects to help children learn through exploration. This self-directed learning allows children to develop their unique talents and abilities through their own learning style, while building confidence and a sense of independence.
Key to our philosophy is the interaction among children of different ages in the same classroom, which promotes healthy socialization and mentoring. In addition to independent projects, students also engage in small and large group activities that broaden their horizons and teach both creative and practical skills.
The teacher plays a critical role as guide, mentor and facilitator, monitoring progress and encouraging children to add new experiences and projects as appropriate.
Dr. LaVonne Plambeck opened the first of the Montessori Educational Centers in 1968 following formal teacher training in Chicago under the direction of the finest European Montessori instructors. She was inspired by the success stories that she had heard, about a philosophy of education that put much of the responsibility and freedom for learning within the child’s control.
Soon after she opened her first school, she launched the Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute to provide professionals with the training and certification necessary to guide this philosophy of education.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Plambeck and the Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. have remained on the cutting edge of education, earning acclaim and respect all over the world. Dr. Plambeck is a fierce advocate for early childhood education, and has served on numerous committees at local, state and national levels to help shape educational policy. With a network of seven locations including Kopecky Elementary School for grades 1-6, as well as the Mid-America Montessori Teacher Training Institute, Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. is one of an elite group of Montessori programs affiliated with the American Montessori Society, the foremost advocate for quality Montessori education in the nation.
Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. - 12344 Pacific St. - Omaha, NE 68154 - 402.393.1311
