HMS Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Elvia

Head Teacher- Ms. Elvia

Please share a little background about yourself:

Hello there, I'm Ms. Elvia! I was born in Hoboken and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. I come from a family of six siblings - five boys and one girl, and as you may have guessed, I am the only girl. Currently, I am serving as the Lead Teacher in the Young Toddler environment at HMS, and I've been a part of HMS since 2016. When I'm not teaching, you can find me volunteering at my church in the Worship Team Choir or in the Kid's Team. Music is a big part of my life; I enjoy singing and writing songs. I also love to travel and spend quality time with my loved ones.

How did you discover Montessori?

A friend from high school, who happened to be working as an Assistant Teacher at HMS, sent me a job listing for an Assistant Teaching position at the school. Not only did she give me the Director's email address, but she also encouraged me to apply for the job! I wasted no time in contacting the Director and landed an interview during the summer. The excitement was palpable as I stepped into the Toddler environment on my first day of work, my first experience with the Montessori method. The independence of the 2 to 3-year-old children in my environment was truly impressive, and I was amazed to see them working harmoniously and taking responsibility for cleaning up after themselves. As I delved deeper into Dr. Maria Montessori's approach and philosophy, I fell head over heels in love with her ideas. The opportunity to work in both the Toddler and Primary environments at HMS has been an absolutely incredible experience!

What inspired you to become an educator?

The inspiration behind my career as an educator has been the amazing children I have had the privilege of guiding and nurturing, alongside other exceptional Montessori educators. Despite my initial focus on pursuing a career in music as a singer and songwriter, I've always been passionate about working with and caring for young children. In fact, as a child myself, I took on the responsibility of looking after the younger children in the after-care program, entertaining and reading to them while ensuring their safety. Working with children has been an immensely fulfilling journey, and the more I explored the Montessori Philosophy, the more I realized that this was my ultimate calling.

What is your favorite area in the Montessori classroom?

Out of all the areas in the Montessori classroom, Practical Life is by far my favorite. I'm naturally drawn to this particular area because it offers purposeful activities that promote the development of motor control, coordination, concentration, independence, and a sense of responsibility among children. It instills in them the importance of taking care of themselves and their environment. I feel immense pleasure in creating and discovering new materials to include in the Practical Life area and watching how children learn to use them over time and become more self-sufficient. This area's imaginative play is also highly valuable, as it encourages children to express themselves freely and explore their interests in a safe and nurturing environment.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Making time for self-care is a top priority for me as it is vital for maintaining good physical and mental health. In my leisure time, I take pleasure in streaming shows and movies. I also enjoy being creative by engaging in arts and crafts or playing music. Spending quality time with my loved ones is a source of immense joy for me as it allows me to stay socially connected and make unforgettable memories. Lately, I've been thrilled to discover novel activities and materials to introduce in the classroom to enrich the learning experience for the children.