Philosophy
Community Montessori’s program is based on the principles and teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose philosophy provides a holistic approach to the child’s development and a proven educational approach based on current research.
“Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
The Montessori philosophy naturally allows for an experience that is differentiated to meet the needs of each individual learner. In addition to individual goals, Community Montessori has identified the following values and goals for all children:
- Autonomy and Independence – Doing for oneself
- Confidence and Competence – Developing an understanding of and belief in one’s own capabilities
- Intrinsic Motivation – Doing for the sake of doing or for personal gratification, rather than a reward or motivator offered by a source other than oneself
- Social Responsibility – Building social connection through respect and compassion for those in ones community; engaging in service to others who are in need
- Global Citizenship and Interdependence – An understanding of being part of something bigger than oneself and a responsibility to one another; a love of community
- Love of Learning – Actively engaging in discovery, exploration, and curiosity to discover new information and master new skills; persevering through challenges learning can present to us
Meet our Team
Community Montessori’s brings together over 75 years of combined experience in Montessori and early childhood education and we feel privileged to bring this expertise to children in our community.
Martha Monahan Executive Director
Martha is the Executive Director of Northeast Montessori Institute (NMI) and has been involved in teacher training on the North Shore of Massachusetts since the inception of NMI in 1984. Martha was honored to have brought the first American Montessori Society (AMS) affiliated Early Childhood courses to mainland China and to Vietnam. She continues to pioneer new training opportunities both in the U.S. and internationally. Martha holds an American Montessori Institute (AMI) Early Childhood credential from the Toronto Montessori Institute along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Holistic Education. Martha is a past chair of the AMS National Conference and has served on the Board of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).
Keira started her teaching career in Maine public schools, teaching first grade for 7 years. After completing her Montessori training and receiving her AMS 3-6 credential in 2019 she transitioned into a Montessori classroom. She currently holds her Maine state teaching certification for birth to 4 years old, Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and K-12 English Language Learning. When not in the classroom, Keira enjoys spending time with family, being outside exploring all that Southern Maine has to offer, reading, and cooking.
Keira Ithomitis Lead Teacher
Donald is the Assistant Director and a curriculum instructor for the Northeast Montessori Institute He holds a BA in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, along with an AMI Early Childhood credential (age 2.5-6 yrs.) from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta and an AMS Elementary credential from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education/NY(age 6-12 yrs). Donald was the founding teacher of the Lexington Montessori School elementary program in Lexington, MA, and has over thirty years of teaching experience on both the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, here in the US and in Beijing, China. Donald and Martha have three adult children, and five grandsons, with whom they enjoy spending time on the coast of Maine. Second only to this is their sense of privilege in bringing Montessori education and enrichment opportunities to others, both in New England and internationally.
Donald Monahan Assistant Teacher
26 Johansen St. Portland, ME 04103 cmgp.exec@gmail.com 207.536.0622