Go to any continent except Antarctica. There you will find a Montessori school.
Go to either Eden Prairie Montessori location. There you will find preschool and kindergarten teachers from every corner of the world (except Antarctica). It’s a real cosmopolitan vibe.
Eden Prairie Montessori’s teachers were all drawn to the same model of education precisely because it transcends cultural boundaries. Wherever and whoever you are, great things are bound to happen when you nourish children’s natural interests in a caring, supportive environment.
“You can be from anywhere on earth. You can come from any tradition. You can have any mother tongue. But love, respect, and kindness? Those languages are universal,” said Shonali Harrison, director of Eden Prairie Montessori.
“Our teachers all share the same thing in common: a passion for early childhood education. It’s our other talents that make each of us special. Some of us love singing. Some of us love playing musical instruments. The best of us love sharing their cooking. And because so many of us come from so far away, we’re able to treat children to a kaleidoscope of different cultures.
“We regularly celebrate diversity at Eden Prairie Montessori – not just the concept of it, but the lovely things which make our world so vibrant. On cultural days our teachers are welcome to wear their traditional dress to school. There are German lederhosen, Norwegian bunads, Pakistani sherwanis, Russian sarafans, and more styles of Mexican dresses than I can name. I’m proud to represent my home country of Sri Lanka in a brightly colored sari.
“And of course there are all the beautiful languages. Our teachers speak Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Lao, Navajo, Russian, Sinhala, Swahili, Turkish, and many Spanish dialects of Central and South America. It’s adorable to see children answer Miss Maria with an enthusiastic ‘Sí, señorita,’ and yell out ‘Aye yi yi!’ when something goes wrong.
“We share treats from different countries. Nothing too exotic, of course. The average Eden Prairie preschooler might not be adventurous enough to try kottu roti just yet, but tropical fruits and foreign candies always capture their full attention. Food – yet another universal language, and one that can lead to bigger conversations about the world around us.
“Our students are amazed to learn how differently people live. When I share stories about my childhood without television, I can almost see their minds expanding. They’re especially interested in the way many Sri Lankan children spend their Saturdays: going around picking up bottles and cans to sell at the nearest recycling plant. After hearing stories like those, they can’t help but feel more gratitude for everything they have. It helps them learn the importance of taking care of their belongings and surroundings. It teaches them that every blessing is meant to be cherished.
“Our classrooms are filled with little souvenirs from our countries of origin. There are djembes and tablas for children to drum on. There are curious things like Native American dreamcatchers, elephants made of ebony, clay pots from Asia, and authentic klompen from Holland. There are paintings of white sand beaches, Egyptian pharaohs, and camels crossing the Sahara. There are enough flags to start a Model UN. And lest she be forgotten, there is also the Statue of Liberty: ‘A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.’
“Getting along with others who aren’t like you is easy. A gentle touch. A listening ear. The power of a smile. These are the universal language of kindness. It’s our hope that all of our students will learn it, and spend their lives spreading it wherever they go.”
Eden Prairie Montessori has two convenient locations at 7455 Market Place Drive and 8098 Glen Lane. You may learn more about their infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten and summer programs at edenprairiemontessori.com, as well as schedule a tour of either school with Shonali at your side.
We regularly celebrate diversity at Eden Prairie Montessori – not just the concept of it, but the lovely things which make our world so vibrant.
We share treats from different countries. Nothing too exotic, of course. The average Eden Prairie preschooler might not be adventurous enough to try kottu roti just yet, but tropical fruits and foreign candies always capture their full attention.