Delor
Montessori School
Call us today to schedule either a virtual or on-site tour of our school. We are now accepting enrollment for our '24 - '25 school year for ages 3 months through 5 years old.
Programs
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
Infant Toddler Program - 3 months to 18 months
In this program the caregivers focus on the daily needs of the child as well as exposing them to the different areas of the classroom. Since most children at this age are exploring the world through their senses, many of the activities included in the classroom encourage this. We also focus on vocabulary development to encourage speech, by naming simple objects in their environment with picture cards and objects. Although it is often observed that children are in "parallel play" at this age, there are many opportunities for the children to interact with one another and encourage social development. Their day also includes art & crafts, music time, story time and walks through Serra Park.
Teacher/Child Ratio: 1:4
Head Teacher: Ms. Maria
Support Staff: Ms. Padmaja
Ms. Maria's background :Ms. Maria began working at DeLor Montessori in Jan. 2009 as an assistant teacher in the Infant/ toddler class & then in Pre-Primary class. She was promoted to Head Teacher in June '18. She had decided to explore new opportunity and take over Infant/ toddler class Head Teacher position in Sept. 2024. Ms. Maria has completed classes in Child Growth & Development as well as Infant / Toddler Care, and will be continuing her education to complete 12 ECE units.
Teaching Experience: 15+ years of working with children, mother to 5 children.
Special Interests: Nature, Cooking, and spending time with children.
Pre-Primary Program - 18 months to 30 months (Non-Toilet Trained)
The children from our Infant/Toddler program usually transition into this program between 16-18 months based on readiness. We begin to introduce the Montessori work time at this age, giving them opportunities to work in the various learning areas including: language, math, science, practical life. and art. This classroom encourages more independence allowing them to hang up their own jackets, sit at a table (that is just their size) for lunch and practical life, and put their belongings into their cubbies when they are done with them.
Their day also includes story time, arts & crafts, music, and outdoor playtime. Once the child shows readiness, both emotionally and socially, the child will transition into the Primary 1 class.
Teacher/Child Ratio: 1:6
Head Teacher: Ms. Ceidy
Support Staff: Ms. Sangeeta
Ms. Ceidy's background: Ms. Ceidy began working at DeLor Montessori in June 2024 as an assistant teacher in the Pre-Primary class & was promoted to Head Teacher in Sept. 2024. Ms. Ceidy has completed a certification in Early childhood development.
Teaching Experience: 3+ years of working with children, mother of 3 children.
Special Interests: Cooking, baking, decorating cakes and spending time with children.
Primary & Primary 1 Program - 24 to 36 months old (Non-Toilet Trained)
In the Primary 1 class, we have children between the ages of 24 to 36 months who are working toward being fully toilet trained and independent in daily tasks (dressing themselves, sleeping, and eating). Throughout the academic year, the children are presented with letter sounds, number recognition, size discrimination, and shape recognition. We also cover monthly themes in which a subject is chosen and is discussed throughout the month.
There is also a concentration on developing the child's fine motor development through a variety of Montessori activities (jobs) such as pouring, using tongs & tweezers, bead stringing and working with metal insets. This preparation is to provide them with the muscular development that is needed to begin writing. The child's social and emotional development is also maturing in this class as they are confronted with focused circle times involving lessons and participation interacting with their peers, following directions, and problem solving. The children enjoy the curriculum and hold a strong desire to learn. In accomplishing tasks, they continue to search for a challenge while their independence is maturing and encouraged.
Teacher/Child Ratio: 1:6
Head Teacher: Ms. Rocio (Primary)
Head Teacher: Ms. Yessica (Primary 1)
Support Staff: Ms. Petra, Ms. Jazmin,
Ms. Yessica's background:
Education: Ms. Yessica has completed over 12 units in ECE including: Art & Music, Infant & Toddler Care, Intro to E.C.E and Family, School, Community. She completed the Montessori training program with North American Montessori Center.
Teaching Experience: Ms. Yessica has been teaching at DeLor since 2006 working with the Infant / Toddler program as well as the Primary 1 class.
Special Interests: Outdoors, Soccer, Cooking, & Family.
Primary 2 Program - 3 to 4 years old
"Children in the Primary 2 classroom are argued by the laws of their nature to find active experiences in the world about them. For this, they use their hands, and not only for practical purposes, but also for acquiring knowledge. If we leave children free in this new kind of environment that we have provided, they give us quite an unexpected impression of their nature and abilities. They seem to be happier and they have such deep interests that they can work for long periods of time without fatigue. As a result, their minds seem to open out and they become eager for knowledge. " - Maria Montessori, The Montessori Method.
The only expectation, we have of the children in the Primary 2 classroom is that they leave the class feeling independent and self-confident. We want them to feel happy, safe, secure and have an eagerness to learn. We believe that having an environment that is prepared for them and teachers that nourish their excitement will encourage social, emotional, and academic growth. If we follow the child, we will always make the right choice and everything seems to fall right into place.
Teacher/Child Ratio: 1:8
Support Staff: Ms. Patricia, Ms. Morgan
Primary 3 Program - 4 to 5 years old
The Primary 3 classroom is ran using the Montessori method. The children are encouraged to explore all learning areas. The teacher will guide each child, challenging them with the next level of difficulty. The primary goal is to make sure that the children are self-directed, enthusiastic learners.
Their first experiences with school should be fun, engaging, creative, and fulfilling. We present materials in Reading, Science and Geography, Practical Life, Math, Writing and Sensorial. We believe that by allowing the children in my classroom the freedom to explore all of the learning areas they will show me what they are ready for. Each child is seen as an individual and academics are presented as such.
Teacher/Child Ratio: 1:12
Head Teacher: Ms. Kate
Support Staff:
Ms. Kate's background: Ms. Kate used to live in New York for fifteen years. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Early childhood education from Brooklyn College. She also earned the Montessori diploma after joining DeLor. Ms. Kate joined DeLor in 2022 as a lead teacher for Primary 2 and 3 class.
Teaching Experience: Ms. Kate has over a decade of working experience in nurturing young minds at various preschool settings.
Special Interests: Plants, Nature and hiking. Always seeking new educational strategies to enrich her teaching profession.
School Administration
Director: Ms. Priti Shastri
Owner's: Debra McKinley / Lori McGeoy
Ms. Priti's background: Ms. Priti joined Delor in March 2001 as a assistant teacher in P2 class and was promoted as a Head teacher in June 2004. She has 25+ years of teaching experience. She was promoted as a Direction in Sept. 2022. She is M.A in Psychology and also holds a Diploma in Special Education and Diploma in Montessori Teaching. She has strong leadership skills with ability to inspire and lead a team of educators. Dedicated to provide high quality education and care.
Ms. Lori's background:
Lori McGeoy was introduced to the Montessori Philosophy in 1979 and has been teaching in Montessori classrooms since 1979. She received her A.A. in Early Childhood Development from De Anza College in Cupertino, CA. She received her Primary Montessori training at the Montessori Training Center of San Diego which is affiliated with the National Center for Montessori Education (N.C.M.E.). Following her Montessori training she received her B.A. in the Social Sciences with a concentration in Child Development from San Jose State University in San Jose, CA.
Ms. Debbie's background:
Debra McKinley began her Montessori career in 1976 and in 1978 received her A.A. in Early Childhood Development from De Anza College in Cupertino, CA. Her Montessori training was done at the Montessori Training Center of San Diego which is affiliated with the National Center for Montessori Education (N.C.M.E.). In 1982 she used her training to set up the Infant/Toddler program for Enchanted Land Montessori in San Jose, CA where she was Director until 1985. As a mother of three, her experience extends past the classroom and into the home.