HMS Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Daniela

Head Toddler Teacher- Ms. Daniela

Meet Ms. Daniela, one of our Head Toddler Teachers who brings creativity and hands-on exploration into the classroom each day. She loves creating engaging learning experiences that help children build confidence, independence, and curiosity.

What drew you to Montessori education, and how did you first learn about the approach?

I first learned about the Montessori approach back in 2020 when I began working as an Assistant Teacher. I fell in love with the way children are encouraged to learn through hands-on activities, as well as how practical the overall approach was. It made me want to further become a part of the Montessori process, which is why I decided to become a Montessori teacher. 

What is your favorite part of being a teacher?

I enjoy watching the children grow and evolve as the year progresses. It's also beautiful to see them use their imaginations and see that light in their eyes when something ‘clicks’.

How would you describe the core principle of Montessori education to someone unfamiliar with it?

I would say that Montessori education helps the child build confidence and independence. When children develop these skills, they begin to feel more comfortable exploring a wide variety of activities and are better prepared to face challenges that may arise along the way.

What is your favorite area in the Montessori classroom?

My favorite Montessori curricular areas are Practical Life and Language. 

What are some of your favorite materials, activities or projects to do with your students?

My students especially enjoy our sensory bins, where I introduce a variety of textures such as sand, pom-poms, rice, paper grass, glitter, and water. These activities provide many learning opportunities as the children practice skills like scooping, transferring items by hand, and using tweezers to strengthen fine motor development. I also incorporate language activities into some of the bins, which the children really enjoy as they explore and talk about what they discover. Another favorite in our classroom is science experiments. The students love being able to observe, ask questions, and see how things work through hands-on exploration.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and reading.

What advice would you give to those considering entering the profession?

I would tell them that if they feel passionate about working with children and helping them cultivate independence, confidence, and a sense of responsibility they should go for it. Working with children in the Montessori environment is highly rewarding, and every day in the classroom is a new adventure. There are so many different ways to present lessons or concepts to each child in order to support their unique learning experience.

A big part of being a Montessori educator is meeting the individual needs of each child. Because of this, we often create work or activities specifically for particular students. Designing these materials can be a lot of fun and is incredibly rewarding to see in action.

We are grateful to have Ms. Daniela as part of our HMS community and appreciate the care and creativity she brings to her classroom every day!