If we haven’t met: Hi. I’m Matt and I’m the Executive Director of the school.
If we have met: Hello again!
Recently, I’ve been feeling a bit disconnected from our community. The school has grown over the years and, with each phase, I get a bit more removed from the daily interactions with parents and children that I used to enjoy.
I realized, recently, that many of you may not actually know who I am. So, the purpose of this email is a re-introduction of sorts. And, in the future, I’ll be writing to you to share my thoughts about education, Montessori, life, and anything else that relates to your experience as a parent at our school.
Who is Matt?
First and foremost: I am an alumnus of this school. I started in the Primary classroom at 2 1/2 and went all the way through the Upper Elementary, graduating in the 6th grade.
I know, first hand, how impactful an authentic Montessori education can be. I know what it’s like to transition to a conventional school. I directly relate my experiences as a Montessori student to almost every aspect of my job today.
But it goes deeper than that. My mother, Pam, founded our original school in Woodland in 1975 for my older sister, Wendy. The first classroom began with 17 children in a temporary space at the Yolo County Fairgrounds and quickly grew to offer a Montessori program through Elementary.
So, needless to say, I spent all of my childhood in and around Montessori classrooms, teachers, and families.
What Does Matt Do?
I have had just about every job at the school. I mowed the lawn as a teenager. When I was a student at UC Davis, I worked in the after school program. After college, I took Montessori training. I assisted in the Lower Elementary classroom for two years.
While Montessori training was fascinating, my experiences in the classroom helped me realize that I was not cut out to be a teacher. I did, however, develop a deep respect for Montessori teachers and their level of dedication to the children. I learned how to recognize an authentic Montessori program. I witnessed children transform into independent, self-confident individuals when given appropriate freedom and responsibility.
My “aha moment” came two years later when I moved from the classroom to the front desk of the school. I found my niche through interacting with families, supporting teachers, and other administrative leadership.
I discovered my true talent was being a “connector” and helping everyone in our community – parents, teachers, and children – succeed. Although I don’t work with children directly today, I know I support their development by helping the people who DO work with them. A school is nothing but people, and my charge is to help those people create a vibrant, supportive, and dynamic Montessori program.
“Executive Director” at a mid-size school like ours can mean many things – from IT troubleshooting to emergency plumber – but I do love my job and am grateful for the opportunity to serve everyone here.
What I Want:
Although I could write a lot about this, I’ll keep it short and sweet:
I want your child to receive an excellent, authentic Montessori education
I want your child to be happy and safe at our school
I want the school to be a trusted partner and resource in your parenting journey
I’ll write more about this in future emails.
But for now, please know I’m here, I’m listening, and I care (a lot) about your family’s experience at our school.
Soon!
Matt Hillis
Executive Director