Hilary Garvey AMI Dip Ed

Montessori Directress / Proprietor

 

“Welcome to my Montessori!” January 2023

I am a mother of two gorgeous young children, my first has just started in our wonderful Montessori & my youngest is only 4 months old. My experience as a Montessori teacher has been an invaluable guide in helping me to raise our children and I am eternally grateful to Maria Montessori for her incredible philosophies. 

I spent years working in Montessori's in Dublin and London gaining invaluable experience and developing my skills as a Montessori teacher. I am delighted to finally open a Montessori of my own in my hometown of Rathmines, Dublin 6. We are lucky to have such lovely and supportive children and families in our area. 

I received my Association Montessori International (AMI) Diploma from the Maria Montessori Training Institute London, one of the most prestigious Montessori training in the world.  It was here that I was inspired to pursue my chosen path by our Director of Training and acclaimed Executive Director of AMI, Lynne Lawrence. Authentic Montessori enables a child to do for themselves, or a WB Yeats put it "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of fire".  It is my goal to instil a love of learning in every child and provide them with the best possible tools to build on their educational, social and creative skills in a happy, supportive environment. 

I grew up in the local neighbourhood, and have very fond memories of attending Scoil Bhride primary school. I come from a large family and I have many nieces and nephews. I love children and I have been surrounded by them my whole life.

To start my own school is a dream come true. A busy Montessori classroom is a wonderful place to go to 'work'. I invite you to come and find out for yourself what it is all about!

*The Association Montessori International was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life’s work.

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Carolyn Diez Daly

Classroom manager / Montessori Directress

Blurb tbc

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Ana Kozar

Teacher

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Ana was born in small town Cakovec in Croatia with a population of approximately 15,000 people. From a very young age she knew that she wanted to work with children, especially because she grew up with no brothers or sisters. After Secondary school she found a book called ‘’Summerhill School’’ by A.S. Neill and she was completely sure what she wanted to do with her life. Sha wanted to become a preschool teacher, so she registered with The Teachers School of Professional Higher Education. 

During my studies Ana was passionate about the emotional state of children, about different approaches towards children, how we can help them to develop their full potential, what they are carrying inside of themselves, about their physical education etc. Because of her enthusiasm she was part of her PE professor’s doctoral dissertation which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also, during her studies her mentor was doing a doctoral dissertation about the action research and she invited Ana to go with her to the different kindergartens and be part of her work. Her work involved improving kindergartens, so the children could use all of their potential. 

After completing her diploma Ana went to America for two years to work with children and volunteer so she joined the Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, New York and Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Inc, Hawthorne, and New York, Down’s Syndrome Association. After America Ana returned to Croatia and she worked as a preschool teacher for 8 years, during which time she participated in a lot of education seminars in Zagreb and Rovinj. 

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Elaine Flynn

Substitute Montessori Directress

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Elaine was born and raised on a farm in Co. Waterford and is the youngest of 7. She wanted from a very early age to not only work with children but to an integral part of their early development by giving them life skills. 

She set off to Dublin at about age 20 and began her dream by doing a Nursery Nursing course at Portobello School of Childcare. She then spent many years managing  a creche on South Circular.  

Another dream came true in Summer 90 when she was accepted after a rigorous interview to go to rural Kenya as a volunteer teacher for 7 weeks.

A year later she went to live and work in London where she later enrolled in a Montessori school in North London and received her AMI Montessori Diploma. 

She was then asked by a fellow student to run her Montessori school. She accepted and helped to set up, establish and run The Sandpiper Montessori in Golders Green for 6 and a half years until her return to Ireland . We were accepted as one of the training schools which was a huge honour. 

She returned to Ireland just over 15 years ago and continued to work as a Montessori Directess. She is delighted to be part of Willow House Montessori and looking forward to being an energetic part of the team and provide a stimulating environment for the children to blossom. 

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Gabriela Pramparo

Montessori Teacher

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Gabriela (Gaby) was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina. She has lived in Dublin for over 6 years.

Since she can remember, she has had a passion for understanding cognitive and emotional development in children. This interest led her to become an Elementary Education Teacher.

In effort to find a more supportive and inclusive approach, Gabriela fell in love with the Montessori philosophy. In 2013, she received her Certificate as a Montessori Environment Assistant from Association Maria Montessori International in Buenos Aires. She has also completed a Special Needs Assisting Certificate.

Gabriela has worked in a variety of settings such as Montessori schools, kindergartens and primary schools in both Argentina and Ireland.

In 2016, she became a mum, and makes sure to keep true to the Montessori philosophy in everything she does.

Gabriela loves working with children and encouraging them to develop in a loving and supportive environment, valuing their unique personalities.  She enjoys practicing mindfulness with children and helping them to achieve self-awareness.

Gabriela is delighted to be part of the Willow House team and is really looking forward to sharing learning experiences with the children.

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Rosa Jaramillo Lopez

Montessori Teacher

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Rosa was born and raised Miguelturra, Spain, a town south of Madrid. Due to her passion for education, she studied for a degree in Teaching from the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Following her graduation, she worked in a Primary School until she came to Ireland to improve her English in 2011.  Through her degree she was first introduced to the Montessori Method and became fascinated by the idea of giving children the freedom to explore and develop in a safe environment.  

During her years in Ireland Rosa has worked in a number of educational environments such as language schools, Montessori and preschools. While in Ireland she has also continued her studies earning a Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education.  

Rosa has always loved working with children and takes enormous satisfaction helping them to grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment. Rosa is thrilled to have joined team and is looking forward to contributing to the nurturing environment at Willow House.

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Sue Blair

Montessori Teacher

Sue was born in Northern Ireland but raised in Dublin. Her parents were orchestral musicians and teachers, so she has a natural love of music and plays the piano. 

 

Having worked in the corporate end of financial services for 13 years, after the birth of her first child Sue felt the need to search for something more emotionally rewarding. An instant love for the Montessori method of education saw her complete her first award in Montessori teaching. Two more children later, she finally completed Level 6 in Early Childhood Care and Education with Portobello Institute. 

 

Sue has worked with differently abled children and advocates for the many advantages the Montessori method brings to children of all abilities. 

 

Sue is a volunteer Beaver leader with 31st Rathfarnham Scouts and enjoys her time out by rock climbing and hill walking with the Irish Mountaineering Club.

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Bróna Dervan

Substitute Teacher

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Bróna grew up close by in Templeogue. Throughout school and college she worked part time as a gymnastics coach with children of all ages. During this time she realised she enjoyed working with the younger age groups.

After completing her Arts Degree in UCD, Bróna pursued a career working with children and enrolled in AMI Dublin where she received her Montessori Diploma. 

After college Bróna gained wonderful experience while working in City Montessori for 13 years. Bróna has often spent her summers travelling to places such as Australia, South America and Asia. One summer in Asia she spent 2 weeks volunteering in an orphanage in Vietnam.

Bróna is delighted to now be part of the team at Willow House Montessori.