Yvette Zapata, M. ED, AMS EI
Montessori Training Coordinator
Shelton Montessori Training
Working with children has always been a passion of mine. The question was how best to set them up for success. My Montessori journey feels a bit like the Goldilocks story; I was simply searching for the developmental level that was just right for me. I began at a school right next to the apartment my husband and I were living in as we prepared for our firstborn. When I entered this Montessori school, I was suddenly awestruck by how these young toddlers worked independently and could do things for themselves at such a young age. Thus, I started my journey in the toddler room and learned all I could about Montessori philosophy and pedagogy. From that stage, I quickly moved into the primary classroom as I realized I wanted a greater academic challenge. This was a good fit until I realized there was so much more to the Montessori curriculum that I wanted to learn and influence children’s journeys.
Throughout my years, I began attending the AMS conference and was always rejuvenated and excited by the new information I learned and the collaboration that took place with fellow Montessorians. Upon attending The Montessori Event, I came across a presenter, Joyce Pickering. I attended her workshop because, early in my career, I worked with many neurodivergent students and was passionate about supporting them. After attending a few of her presentations, I knew I wanted to be trained by the Teacher Education Program (TEP) she represented. I took the lower elementary training at Shelton, where I received my Lower Elementary AMS credential. Working with students in this plane of development was what suited the children and me best. I thoroughly enjoyed working with these inquisitive minds and providing lessons geared towards their interests and academic needs. During this time, I attended SMU to earn my Master’s in Education, specializing in Early Literacy. Following this path helped support children’s literacy journey while in the Montessori classroom, since the didactic materials had so much to support their learning and independence.
Following this path helped support children’s literacy journey in the Montessori classroom… the didactic materials support their learning and independence.
Over the years, I moved to the Upper Elementary classroom as my career progressed and continued to support students’ Montessori journeys. Each plane of development has a unique gift of its own, and I am truly grateful for that. The colleagues, parents, and students I worked with over the fifteen years played a significant role in bringing me to where I am now. In my final years in the classroom, I felt Maria Montessori’s quote “the students were truly working as if I did not exist.” There were many times I would simply stand back and watch this well-orchestrated classroom operate on its own. That’s when I realized I wanted to share this gift and help other Montessori guides reach this same normalization of a classroom harmony that supports student social, emotional, and academic growth. In order to achieve this classroom harmony, I have always focused on establishing a relationship with my students and their families. In order for a student to truly learn from you in any aspect, there needs to be a connection; each student and parent needs to feel seen and heard. This is something I continuously share with my adult learners.
I am now the Montessori Coordinator at Shelton Montessori Training, working with the last plane of development and beyond: the adult. I’m sure if Maria had the time, she may have created more planes for the different stages of adulthood. It is an honor to work with adult learners, supporting others in their Montessori journeys as an instructor, Field Consultant, and mentor. Working in the Outreach Department as part of the Montessori Training Program gives me the opportunity to share my experiences with others so they can, in turn, support all of these young minds in their classrooms. As Maria Montessori once said, “The children are both a hope and promise for mankind.” At Shelton Montessori Training, we pride ourselves on building the same sense of community and normalization in our adult learners that we strive to see in our classrooms.
Were you inspired by Yvette’s story and would like to take the next step to earn your Montessori teaching credential? Join us at the Montessori Pathways Career Fair on September 17 at 1:00 p.m. EDT to learn about becoming a credentialed Montessori Educator. This free virtual event will include informative sessions, Q&A segments, useful resources, and much more!
