Hilary Garvey AMI Dip Ed

Montessori Directress / Proprietor

 

September 2023

“Welcome to my Montessori! 

I am a mother of two gorgeous young children, my first has just started in our wonderful Montessori & my youngest is 1. 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. 

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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. 

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I spent 6 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. 

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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!

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*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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Jennifer  Romero

Montessori Teacher

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My name is Jenny Romero. I was born in Barcelona, and I am the youngest of 2 sisters.

I came to Ireland in Easter of 2008 to learn English and work as an au pair. 

After a few months working with children and being part of their development, I realised  I would love to study and become a teacher of young children.

After a few years working with different families as a nanny  and getting information of different course options, I came across the Montessori philosophy and I was hooked!

 

I applied to study in Portobello college in Dublin and I immediately got a job while doing my work experience.

I worked for more than 4 years in a Montessori in Rathgar, as a part time teacher/manager in the mornings and as a nanny in the afternoons. I have been working with the same family for the last 10 years. 

Sadly my preschool closed due to Covid and could not re-open. 

I am very excited to go back to teaching and be a part of the Willow House Montessori team!

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Elaine Flynn

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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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.