Montessori Children's House of Arlington Provides A Holistic Education

This Patch article is sponsored by Montessori Children's House of Arlington.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Hannah LaFranzo, Head of School at Montessori Children's House of Arlington.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:

Hannah LaFranzo: Our program is a Montessori preschool and kindergarten near Arlington Center, serving children ages 15 months to 6 years. As a Montessori school, we follow the philosophy and pedagogy of Dr. Maria Montessori in an authentic, child-centered environment, which focuses on holistic development, connection to the earth, and world citizenship.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

LaFranzo: We opened in the Fall of 2022, so we're fairly new, but we're excited to be part of the Arlington community!

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

LaFranzo: I actually went to Montessori school when I was a child! My family owns a Montessori school in the Chicago area, and in the high school program, I used to go work in the Children's House with the three and four-year-olds when I didn't have class. I think I owe a lot of my understanding of children and my connection to them as human beings because of my Montessori education; as a 15-year-old being able to walk across the building and say "hi" to the preschoolers, or play volleyball with the elementary school kids, it just felt like I was really connecting with them as people, not seeing them as children. But I didn't really know how drawn I was to Montessori until I went to college and did my student teaching in traditional education. Traditional ed was so different, not in a bad way, but it wasn't how I experienced learning and it wasn't how I wanted to help children. So I went to graduate school, got my M.Ed in Early Education and my Montessori credential, and I've been working in Montessori ever since.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

LaFranzo: Holistic, empowering, and independent education.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

LaFranzo: The absolute hardest part of working as an educator is having to tell a family their child can't be served by your environment. I am a firm believer that Montessori is for every child — but not every environment, regardless of philosophy, can serve every child. I'm passionate about my work and I love every student I've had deeply, and having those conversations where you recommend a different school is really tough, and never a conversation you want to have.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

LaFranzo: The children! Not the typical interactions we have with them, though. Of course, I love getting hugs and hearing about their weekends, but the best part of working with children is getting to see them truly become independent, autonomous human beings. When the children come together as a classroom community — when they can talk to each other about their needs and wants, when they can politely decline to work with someone and graciously accept when others don't want to work with them, when they naturally help others and stop mid-work to assist a little one in need — it's not just satisfying, it gives me hope for a brighter, peaceful future.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

LaFranzo: We're a very small school, so we hope to create a close, authentic community. Even as Head of School, I know and have worked with each child individually, and I regularly get to talk to parents at dismissal in the afternoons; not always just about their child's day, but casual conversation about our lives or how things are going outside of school. I think this type of community goes back to what Dr. Montessori did in her first Casa dei Bambini, forge authentic relationships in the best interest of the children.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

LaFranzo: Education is built on relationships.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

LaFranzo: We're putting together our summer "Children's Garden" curriculum and materials, which sounds like it should be exhausting (and it is), but creating materials and thinking deeply about the experiences the children will have with them is always exciting for me. But it's also very humbling, because whether or not the children enjoy it and engage with it is the true sign of success, and I've had plenty of materials I've made or introduced that the children are not nearly as excited about as I am. So you observe, come up with some new lessons, and try again — which is also fun and rewarding in its own way.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

LaFranzo: We recommend calling or emailing our school to get more information and schedule a tour! Our phone is (857) 203-2171, and email is [email protected]