Montessori Educational Center – 40 years old and still going strong!
Our Story
By Richard Sharkey
When Dorothy Barry opened Central Louisiana’s first Montessori school to 10 students in the fall of 1978, she had faith it would be accepted and serve the community well.
But she had no idea that the school would grow steadily and be thriving 40 years later as Montessori Educational Center in Alexandria.
“I was confident of success, knowing from experience that once parents see the beauty of children working in the environment that Montessori education provides, they would want that kind of learning atmosphere for their children,” Mrs. Barry said recently in reflecting on the school’s history.
“No one knows what the future holds, but I had the inner assurance that the school would grow. I did not envision that it would grow as it has and live to be here after 40 years.”
Montessori Educational Center now has nearly 200 students and employs 37 people in all. That growth has been fueled by the educational environment that is unique in the area and is appreciated by students, teachers and parents who are passionate about their belief in the Montessori Method and about their love for the school.
“We are a community of people – teachers, parents, board members, etc. – who are united with a common philosophy,” said Amber Voorhies, who teaches students in the 9-to-12 age group at the school.
“Teachers are careful in the preparation of their classroom environments to allow for concentration and for independence. Our community feels like an extended family that does their best to support and encourage each other,” she said.
Joelle Flaherty is the head of school, which is equivalent to a principal, and she points to several key factors for the school’s success.
“I believe our growth can be attributed to the dedication of the teachers to the Montessori philosophy and to providing a quality education to each student,” Flaherty said.
“I also believe that community outreach and publicity focusing on the value of a Montessori education has led more parents in the Central Louisiana area to consider our school for their children.
“The school’s continued success relies heavily upon the involvement of the parents. The volunteer hours and generous financial support of the parents have allowed our school to expand and thrive. We simply could not have a successful Montessori school without the dedication of both the teachers and the parents,” Flaherty added.
Since opening at 609 Lakeview St. in Pineville in September 1978 as Montessori Children’s House, the school has been on an upward arc from its humble beginnings with 10 students, some of them attending part time.
The school’s name was changed to Montessori Learning Center with its move to a Beech Street location in Alexandria in 1981, and that’s when Mrs. Barry’s husband, Donald, joined the staff. The school moved to a building at the corner of Jackson Street and Bolton Avenue in Alexandria in 1989 when it was incorporated as Montessori Learning Center. By that time, the enrollment had grown to 98 students.
The school had 110 full-time students when it moved to its current site at 4209 N. Bolton Ave. in Alexandria in 1995. When Montessori Educational Center celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2003, the student body numbered 139.
The school now has 196 students – toddler program, 19 students; primary, 65 students; lower elementary, 54 students; upper elementary, 37 students; middle school, 21 students.
The toddler program has openings, but all of the other classes have waiting lists.
The school, often referred to as MEC for short, has 19 full-time classroom teachers, three aides, three specialists (Spanish, music and science) and four employees in administration. Including janitorial staff and after-school workers, the school has a total of 37 employees.
The school began with classes for children ages 3 to 6, and for most of its existence, it served children ages 3 to 12. In recent years, however, it has opened classes for toddlers and for middle school students. More about the school’s setup and history can be found at www.mecalex.org.
In addition to its child-centered culture, MEC offers a variety of extracurricular activities. Those include Morning Mile, Love and Logic classes for parents, robotics, Lego Brickz for Kidz, yoga, karate, voice, piano and sewing.
Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy congratulated Montessori Educational Center on its 40th anniversary.
“This institution of creative self-determinism has been critical to Alexandria offering the educational panoply of opportunity all cities should have,” Mayor Roy said. “Kids and parents need choices, and this institution has offered a super-quality and individualized education for decades. I am personally and on behalf of a grateful city proud of this cornerstone of opportunity.
“Learning at their own pace, children experience many hands-on activities and numerous special extracurricular activities. Teachers instill the joy of lifelong learning and well as foster respect, kindness, and personal responsibility. Parental involvement is paramount in the school’s success — a lesson for all school models. I salute these stakeholders and wish them continued success,” Roy added.
Montessori Educational Center’s slogan is “An education as unique as your child.” Flaherty explained, “We treat each child as a unique individual and do not expect students to conform to a ‘one size fits all’ lesson plan. Lesson plans are created for individual children, and each student is allowed to progress at his own pace.”
That approach combined with the labor-of-love dedication and contributions of teachers and parents makes Montessori Educational Center an exceptional place for children to develop and prepare for the future.
Naiya Bernard, a 13-year-old, will finish her 10-year MEC career this school year when she graduates from eighth-grade next spring.
“I have really enjoyed my time here. I think that this school has not only helped me to learn as much as possible, but it has also helped me to be my own person and helped me to be independent and proactive,” Naiya said.
MEC “really lets you be who you are … and also pushes you to be the best that you can be,” Naiya added.
“My time at Montessori instilled a love of learning which helped me and inspired me to become a teacher,” said Megan Sharkey Conerly, who attended MEC from 1984 to 1993.
“There was always a focus on kindness and accepting others for who they are. This is a great lesson for everyone to carry into their adult lives,” she said.
“I think Montessori is special because it is truly like a family,” said Sara C. Stokes, who attended from 1987 to 1996.
“The teachers there truly care about the children and are invested in their growth and development,” Stokes said. “I also think it is a special place because it not only allows children to be unique, but it encourages children to be unique.”
MECs approach is based on the educational philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian doctor and educator who opened the first Montessori school in Rome in 1907.
The American Montessori Society describes the “Montessori Method” of education as “a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child — physical, social, emotional, cognitive.”
MEC teachers past and present say the Montessori Method is a wonderful way for kids to learn and to develop in a myriad of ways.
“I think the main difference in Montessori versus a regular education is the ability to meet a child where they are and take into consideration their strengths and needs. Each child develops and learns at a different pace and we could work at all levels from very high-functioning students to those who needed a bit more time and maturity,” said Katrina Adams, who taught 3- to 5-year-olds at MEC from 1986 to 2009.
Her children, Dan, Elizabeth and John, all attended MEC.
Mary Sharkey, who taught 3- to 5-year-olds at the school for 30 years before retiring in 2016, said she never ceased to appreciate “how the children responded to the way Montessori was set up, how the teachers presented the materials and that the children were free to explore them and use them” to grow at their own paces.
Not only does the school’s environment help kids become independent learners and become more responsible, Sharkey said, “there is a sense of community, kindness and respect.”
Her children, Megan and Will, both attended MEC.
“What makes MEC and a Montessori education so special is that the focus is on nurturing the love of learning and natural curiosity of children,” wrote Camille Robison.
She served as interim head of school for the 1999-2000 school year and over the years served in various capacities on the MEC board and a parents’ group.
“My children LOVED to go to school. I’m sure there are days I don’t remember, where they were unhappy, but what I remember is that my kids WANTED to be at school. What parent doesn’t want that for their child?” Robison wrote.
Elaine Beck, a longtime Montessori teacher who retired in 2009 and is now on the MEC board of directors, said, “You have to challenge students. When they have accomplished what they did not think was possible for them to do, they believe in themselves and gain confidence.”
Much of her MEC career involved teaching science.
“The only way to learn is to do. Trust the child. Give the child the proper guidance, then let them discover. This is called guided discovery. Science is not nomenclature, it is a way of thinking,” Beck said.
“All children are born loving science. Think of the questions they ask: Why is the sky blue? Why does my throat hurt? etc. Our job as teachers is to keep this love alive.”
Beck’s sons Joe II and Yuri attended MEC, and she now has four grandchildren attending there.
Yuri Beck is among the many students on whom MEC has had a profound, positive impact.
“Montessori is special because they didn’t simply give me information to memorize and then test on it,” said Yuri, who attended MEC from 1983 to 1992.
“The teachers kindled a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge that remains with me to this day.”
Anne Kathryn Hunter, who attended from 1992 to 2002, said MEC taught her how to manage her time and how to prioritize tasks.
“It also taught me to remain open-minded to new ideas and different viewpoints,” she said. “Montessori was some of the best years of my life, and I honestly attribute a lot of my educational and professional success to being a Montessori child.”
Camille Jackson, president of the MEC board, said the keys to such success include the environment, materials and Montessori Method, “but the reason that MEC is special is our teachers.”
She noted that in addition to earning college degrees – including some with master’s degrees and at least one with a Ph.D. – MEC teachers take classes to become certified to teach Montessori methods.
“These methods are what set us apart from all other schools in the area – including other Montessori schools (in the public-school system). Our teachers focus on teaching children to reach their full potential cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Our teachers are growing the whole person so that they are prepared not just for the next grade level or for college but for their entire lives,” Jackson said.
“It is the teachers’ dedication to the Montessori method and to MEC which have led to its success for 40 years. Without them, MEC would simply not exist.”
Jackson, whose daughter Claire attends MEC, said teachers credit parental participation with laying the groundwork for the school prospering.
“But for our parents’ belief in MEC, we would not have accomplished the growth that we have seen over the past five years. Our retention rates have increased to unprecedented figures, so much so that it called for the founding of a middle school. It is also undeniable that the financial well-being of MEC rests completely with the parents. … They are the ones who help to ensure our teachers are supported as best they can be so MEC will continue for another 40-plus years.”
Flaherty said consideration is being given to hiring an athletic director who could initiate programs such as soccer, cross country, golf and tennis. She said it’s a “dream of mine” to partner with a local major business to offer a primary classroom at the business location for children of the employees.
MEC currently offers classes through eighth grade. “Many of our parents are advocating for high school courses at our school. It would be a big undertaking, but so was the toddler program and the middle school. I am not going to dismiss the idea,” Flaherty said.
In the meantime, the school will continue to provide a unique and remarkable education for each child.
Robison said her three children, Katie, Mikey and Jackson, attended MEC and “have thanked me repeatedly over the years for sending them to Montessori.”
“Shortly after graduating from MEC, during his seventh-grade year, my middle son calmly turned to me one morning, thanked me for his Montessori education and said, ‘You know, I don’t remember everything I learned at MEC, but I LEARNED how to learn, and it was great.’ I nearly drove my car off the road,” Robison wrote.
That reflects the value of Montessori Educational Center, now celebrating 40 years and still going strong.
Dorothy Barry, who founded Montessori Educational Center in 1978, holds a copy of a recent journal entry by Evangeline Harris saying how much the 6-year-old loves the school. Barry was moved by the touching entry that was given to her by Evangeline’s mother, Jess Harris, an MEC middle school teacher who drove to Perryville, Mo., to meet Barry in person and came away full of admiration.
To learn more about Mrs. Barry, click on the “Visionary ” link below:
STAFF
Toddler Faculty
Jemma Lortie & Sarah McCartney
Jemma Lortie studied Social
jemma.lortie@mecalex.org
Sarah McCartney has been a teacher in our Toddler Program since August of 2012. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University at Alexandria, where she received a B.S. in Psychology. Her experience with toddler students dates back to 2007. She received her Montessori teacher certification from
sarah.mccartney@mecalex.org
Jen Bray & Tiffany Bailey-Johnson
Jen Bray received her Montessori teacher certification from
jen.bray@mecalex.org
Tiffany Bailey-Johnson joined our toddler staff in August of 2017. She has more than 12 years of experience working with toddler and preschool children. Tiffany completed her Montessori certification through the North American Montessori Center.
tiffany.bailey@mecalex.org
BRIANA LEE
Bri is our toddler floater and works in both classrooms part-time. She joined the toddler staff in August of 2018.
Primary Faculty
Jennifer Estes & Teresa Strandquist
Jennifer Estes received her Montessori teacher certification from the Montessori World Educational Institute in 2001. Jennifer is the parent of a MEC graduate. After a brief hiatus to work as a youth director for a church, Jennifer returned to work at MEC in 2013. Jennifer’s daughter is a graduate of MEC.
jennifer.estes@mecalex.org
Teresa Strandquist joined MEC for the 2019-2020 school year. She holds a Masters of Education in Curriculumn and Instruction from Pennsylvania State University and AMS certification as a Montessori teacher. Teresa’s children are current MEC students.
teresa.strandquist@mecalex.org
Ary Deaton & Shahla Khalid
A former registered nurse, Ary Deaton completed her Montessori teacher certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She is the parent of three MEC students, and began her employment with MEC as the Activities Director. She has served as a Primary teacher since the 2015-2016 school year.
ary.deaton@mecalex.org
Shahla Khalid graduated from the University of Karachi in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She obtained her Montessori certification through the Association Montessori Internationale. She joined MEC as a primary teacher in the Spring of 2017. Shahla is the mother of three.
shahla.khalid@mecalex.org
Tala Wagner & Coty Verdin
Tala Wagner is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where she received a B.A. in English. She received her Montessori Teacher certification from the American Montessori Society in 2010. She has taught at Montessori Schools in Waco, Texas and Lawrence, Kansas. She joined the faculty of MEC in 2015 as a Toddler teacher. She began working in the Primary program during the 2016/2017 school year. She is also the parent of a MEC student.
tala.wagner@mecalex.org
Coty Verdin is a graduate of Northwestern State University where she received a B.S. in Biology, a B.S. in Psychology, and an A.A in Criminal Justice. She is a MEC parent of one and frequent school volunteer. She began as a MEC substitute teacher in the spring of 2017. She joined the Primary program full time during the 2017-2018 school year.
coty.verdin@mecalex.org
Connie Snipes
Connie Snipes has served as an assistant at Montessori Educational Center since 1995. She has worked in the Primary, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary classrooms. She currently assists in all three Primary classrooms as a floater.
Lower Elementary Faculty
LISA ROZAS & JUNE JONES
Lisa Rozas has worked at Montessori Educational Center since 1996. She has a degree in Vocal Performance from Louisiana College. She began her career at MEC as our Music Teacher. She began working in the Lower Elementary environment during the 2013-2014 school year. She received her Montessori teacher certification from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Both of her children attended MEC.
lisa.rozas@mecalex.org
June Jones is a graduate of Northwestern State University and was awarded a Master of Education degree. She received her Montessori Elementary I and Elementary II credentials from Southwestern Montessori Training Center. June has 45 years of experience in education and joined Montessori Educational Center during the 2018-2019 school year.
june.jones@mecalex.org
Angela Hayes & Eddie Scroggs
Angela Hayes received a B.A. in Journalism from Louisiana Tech University and a M.A. in English from Northwestern State University. She received her Montessori teaching certification from Montessori World Educational Institute, and has taught in the Lower Elementary program since 1995. Her children and grandchildren have attended MEC.
angela.hayes@mecalex.org
Eddie Scroggs attended Louisiana College where he earned a B.A. in History. He received his M.A. in History from Louisiana Tech University. He began working as a Lower Elementary teacher in 2014. He completed his Montessori Elementary I and II teacher certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
eddie.scroggs@mecalex.org
Upper Elementary Faculty
Amber Voorhies, Buffy Stroderd, Christal Workman and Penny McGinty
Amber Voorhies began her career as MEC’s Art Instructor in 2003. She attended Louisiana College where she earned a B.A. in Art. She completed Elementary I and Elementary II Montessori teacher certification through Southwestern Montessori Training Center as well as Toddler Montessori training with North American Montessori Center. She has worked with children of all ages in our school, and is currently serving as an Upper Elementary teacher. Both of her children attend MEC.
amber.voorhies@mecalex.org
Buffy Stroderd is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Speech Communication. She obtained her Montessori Elementary I and II teacher certification with the Center For Guided Montessori Studies. She began teaching in the Upper Elementary classroom in 2012. Both of Buffy’s children attend MEC.
buffy.stroderd@mecalex.org
Beginning with the 2019/202o school year, Christal Workman became a full-time teacher in the Upper Elementary class. In the past, Christal has substituted where needed, and worked as an assistant teacher in the lower elementary Program. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech with a B.S. in Architectural Studies. She is currently participating in the Elementary I phase of Montessori training and will pursue Elementary II certification with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Christal is the mother of four MEC students.
christal.workman@mecalex.org
Penny McGinty has joined the upper elementary class as a part-time assistant for the 2019-2020 school year. She received her B.A. in English and French from Louisiana Tech. Penny’s experience at MEC dates back 20 years. She has served as the upper elementary lead teacher, as the interim Head of School, and as a board member. Penny is responsible for forming the Grand Gardeners club at the school. Three of her grandchildren attend MEC.
Middle School Faculty
Jess Harris & Sue Sullivan
Jess Harris leads our Middle School program. A graduate of Louisiana State University at Alexandria, with a B.A. in Elementary Education, Jess received her Montessori Secondary I and II teacher certification from the American Montessori Society. She is the parent of an MEC student.
jess.harris@mecalex.org
Sue Sullivan is a former professor of biology at Louisiana State University Alexandria. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Genetics from the University of Georgia. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year she began working full-time with Jess Harris and the Middle School students. She is a former president of the MEC Board of Directors, and the parent of an MEC graduate.
sue.sullivan@mecalex.org
Science
Charity Rodgers
A graduate of LSUA with a degree in Biology, Charity Rodgers, directs our Science Lab. She instructs children ages 6 through 12. She is the mother of an MEC graduate and a current student.
charity.rodgers@mecalex.org
Spanish
Claudia Smith
Claudia Smith has been teaching Spanish to our Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary students since 1996. She attended the Industrial University of Santander in Bucaramanga, Colombia as well as Louisiana State University Alexandria.
Music
Ellene Owens
Ellene Owens is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, and studied Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. She is a composer and has been a music instructor for over forty years. She is the mother of an MEC graduate, and joined our faculty in 2014.
Administration
Jordan Fontenot, Carlina moore, Lisa Clair, & Joelle Flaherty
Jordan Tullos is a Louisiana State University at Alexandria student who joined MEC as an after-school teacher. She has been serving as our administrative assistant since the Spring of 2017. Jordan completed the Fundamentals of Montessori course through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies.
jordan.tullos@mecalex.org
Carlina Moore became the school’s business manager in May of 2018. She had seven years of accounting experience prior to joining MEC. Her son is a current student. carlina.moore@mecalex.org
Lisa Clair is a graduate of LSU with a B.A. in Political Science and has been teaching at MEC since 1991. She received her Montessori teacher certification from the Montessori World Educational Institute. In 2017 she left the classroom to join the administrative team and assist the Head of School. Her children attended MEC, and her grandchildren are current students.
lisa.clair@mecalex.org
Joelle Flaherty has been the Head of School at MEC since 2009. Prior to serving as Head of School, she was an Upper Elementary Teacher from 2001 through 2009. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and an M. A. in Montessori Education from St. Catherine University. She received her Montessori Elementary I and II teaching credentials from Southwestern Montessori Training Center. Both of Joelle’s children graduated from MEC and her grandson is a current student. She is a former president of the Louisiana Montessori Association.
joelle.flaherty@mecalex.org
After School Staff
Carrie McKinney, Cynthia Butler, Wanda Strother, Darlene Thompson, Shirley Cooper, Sharron Rusk
Call 318-445-0138 or contact us today about giving them the Montessori advantage.
HOURS
Mon: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tue: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wed: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thu: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Montessori Educational Center
Alexandria, LA 71303