About Us
Mission Statement
Mosaic Montessori Academy believes that nurturing the child in the Montessori tradition is the path to a success in life and academic skills. Dr. Maria Montessori reminds us "Education is an aid to life".
Vision and History
Mosaic Montessori Academy was the vision of two dedicated educators, Maria Carandang and Marides Quigley. Both have experience as Montessori teachers locally, and in the case of Maria, internationally, as well. Marides also has experience in both regular and special education. With their experience and knowledge as a result of their work with children, they founded the school in 2007, in order to provide a quality, nurturing, early childhood program, anchored by the fundamentals of the Montessori philosophy and methodology. Beginning in the school year 2009-2010, Maria Carandang will continue to be the director of the school, as well as teach in the Primary Program.
MMA opened its doors on September 2007, with one primary classroom of children, ages three thru 6 years. It saw a growth during that school year, offering a summer program that same year. In the school year 2008-2009, a Parent-Infant Program opened to meet the needs of some parents who were seeking this type of programming for their very young children. Plans for a toddler program serving 2-3 year old children will be opening in the school year 2009-2010. MMA looks forward to the continued growth of the school in the years ahead, as it strives to meet the ever-changing needs of the families in the community.
MMA is a non-profit school providing Montessori programs from birth thru 6 years of age. All of its programs meet the standards set forth by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). MMA is committed to strengthening its programming through workshops and conferences provided by AMI.
MMA welcomes children from diverse communities, backgrounds, abilities, religion, race, and culture. Family participation is heavily encouraged in the life and health of the school community. The school remains steadfast to the standards of AMI and to its founding philosophy.
Meet the Director
Maria Carandang – Co-founder
Presently, School Director and Primary Directress. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila, Philippines. Upon her graduation she became Primary Directress at the Casa Montessori International in the Philippines. She received her Montessori (Primary) training and credential at the Washington Montessori Institute (AMI) in Washington, DC and the Assistant to Infancy certification at The Montessori Institute (AMI) in Denver, CO. Before Mosaic Montessori Academy, she helped found and establish a Montessori school in a western suburb of Chicago, serving as an Education Directress for twelve years while also a Primary classroom teacher. In addition, she has worked with adults with special needs in an independent living facility.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Mosaic Montessori Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.