Mandeville Pre-K/Kindergarten Class

With bright, open classrooms appearing to invite the outside in from windows overlooking the beautiful front yard, children in the PreK/K class are in a prepared learning environment designed to meet their individual needs and to assure them the opportunity to reach their full potential.  The shelves in the PreK/Kindergarten class are lined with works that are progressive, moving from simple to complex and concrete to abstract.  All is designed around the developmental needs as well as the interests of the individual child, based on the observations of the Montessori teacher, trained to identify those needs as they occur.  Math, Language, Sensorial, Practical Life, Science, Geography and The Arts are all part of the three year program. 

In the multi-age 3-year PreK/K program the young child has the opportunity to look to the older child for social and academic guidance; the older child has the opportunity to develop a high level of self-esteem and most certainly a greater sense of responsibility.  This provides the basis for a high sense of community within the classroom and among the children as individuals.  The development of the child, mentally, physically, socially and emotionally is enhanced by the multi-age status of the classroom.  With a great emphasis on the lessons of Grace and Courtesy, the child learns respect for his peers, for his environment and for the world in which he lives.  Academically, socially and emotionally, each year provides a unique opportunity for the child to advance so that by the end of his third year he is ready to meet all the challenges of first grade in every way.

The PreK/K child is exposed to exercises that employ movement, manipulatives and free choice (within limits).  In the Montessori class free choice means the child may choose work on which he has had a lesson; work that he uses properly and returns properly and to work in groups with his peers.  From following these guidelines, the child develops a sense of personal responsibility for making the right choice to properly care for his environment and his peers by putting his work away in consideration of the next person wanting to use the work.  He develops a sense of independence by learning, through Practical Life activities, how to wash, clean and dry his work as necessary, sweep the floor, scrub the table, mop, bake, sew on a button, etc.  He learns how to use his words with a peer when he is angry or hurt or not understanding.  At the conclusion of this 3-year program the child is well on his way to becoming a good citizen of the world, of reaching his full potential as a human being and most importantly for becoming a life-long learner.

Jane Sanchez
Pre-K/Kindergarten Team Leader

Mrs. Jane started with Kinder Haus in May of 2002. She immediately fell in love with “Montessori” and set a goal to become certified. Mrs. Jane completed her training and correspondence work with Montessori World Educational Institute and became Montessori Certified in the fall of 2003.

Mrs. Jane has been with the Pre-K/Kindergarten class from the start of her career at Kinder Haus Montessori and in her words “has fallen in love with the children of the Pre-K/Kindergarten class”. In the past few years, Mrs. Jane has also been a volunteer tutor for St. Tammany Literacy. Mrs. Jane has a passion for the arts and worked as an actress at the Detroit Repertory Theatre performing at inner city schools as part of a federally funded Cultural Enrichment Program in the 1960’s. Mrs. Jane and Mrs. Sharon have been working together since 2003 to provide a wonderful environment for children aged three to six. The two teachers have a passion and a love for this method of teaching and it shows!

McKenna Trahan
PreK/K Morning Teacher

Ms. McKenna first worked for Kinder Haus during the 2009-2010 school year. She married her husband, Christopher Trahan and relocated to Baton Rouge during the 2010-2011 school year. While in Baton Rouge Ms. McKenna worked at Élan Vital Montessori School. We welcomed her back with open arms in the Spring of 2011. She became a full time teacher this past summer working with the PreK/K class in the afternoons during Summer Camp. Ms. McKenna graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Communications. She is Suzuki Certified Music Teacher. She will be offering private and group lessons to the children at Kinder Haus this school year. Ms. McKenna is excited to work with Ms. Jane in the mornings and to be a part of the Kinder Haus family once again.

Amanda Miranda
Afternoon Lead Teacher

Ms. Amanda first started substituting for Kinder Haus Montessori in March of 2010. During the school year of 2010-2011 she assisted in the office on Fridays. During the summer she became a full time member of our staff and helped to lead the “Lovin’ Louisiana” Summer Camp in the PreK/K classroom. Ms. Amanda has been studying Early Childhood Education at Delgado and in addition she has fallen in love with Montessori Education. She will be enrolling to start her Montessori Certification this fall. Ms. Amanda is excited to lead the afternoon program in the PreK/K and she will be working closely with Mrs. Jane and Mrs. McKenna to provide and all-day Montessori program for our PreK/K children.