When it comes to Montessori schools, Grayslake resident Katie Graff is a big fan—and she has been since a young age.
She attended a Montessori school as a child and ended up teaching at that same school. A state-certified teacher of children from birth through third grade, Graff has studied all types of educational philosophies, but Montessori is her favorite.
"The children are so happy," Graff said. "The kids are just enjoying what they're doing."
On Aug. 19, Graff will open her own Montessori school, Moving Mountains Montessori, in Grayslake. The school will be located inside the United Protestant Church at 54 S. Whitney St., though the school is not associated with the church.
"I'm just beyond excited. I can't even believe it's happening," said Graff.
Montessori schools, Graff said, are "optimized to allow children to make as many choices as possible." Furniture is all child-sized "so nothing will be out of reach for them unless you want it out of reach for them," she said. Montessori classrooms are designed to feel more like home; there are brooms, aprons, plants and even pets.
The classrooms at Moving Mountains Montessori will have different themed areas, including practical life (tying shoes or sweeping the floor, for example), math, art, geography/culture and language. In math, for example, Graff said students use materials that make abstract concepts concrete for them.
"And for me what's so important is that the kids are having fun doing this," said Graff.
Moving Mountains will offer long hours—7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday—and both breakfast and lunch will be served. Meals will be all-organic, Graff said. There will also be discounts for military, police and fire officials, and for families enrolling multiple children, she said.
For more information about Moving Mountains Montessori, visit the school's website or Facebook page.
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