Learn a little about Mountain Brook Montessori Academy!
Our Classrooms
 Walk into any Montessori classroom, and you will almost always see happy and busy children engaged in purposeful work. The classroom itself is distinct; gone are the traditional rows with the teacher at the front. OUr classrooms are carefully prepared environments designed to reinforce your child’s independence and natural desire for learning and self-development.
The classroom is ordered and well planned. The curriculum and teaching materials are carefully selected and presented to each child. When children choose material they are then free to work with it for as long as it provides a challenge. This provides a structure for their learning. There should be physical, intellectual and social freedom. Everything is child-sized and all the activities are within reach to allow free choice. The classroom provides an environment in which children can develop individually in ways which are appropriate to their age and ability. Each child is respected and enabled to grow and learn at their own pace.
Our Teaching Staff
 Patricia E. Barton (right)
Managing Member and Director of Mountain Brook Montessori Academy LLC
Patricia received her Montessori training at the National Center for Montessori Education training center in Norcross, Georgia, is a certified Montessori teacher and has been a Montessori Master teacher for 20 years. Through her years of experience Patricia has honed her exceptional ability to recognize the individual challenges, talents and motivations of each child.
Patricia also has the special gift of teaching children with behavioral problems and special needs. Her experience includes working with a Down’s syndrome child for three years as well as working with many Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder children.
Patricia’s dedication to children motivated her to open Mountain Brook Montessori Academy to further nurture and teach young children.
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Tawnya Bareis (left)
Member and Assistant Director of Mountain Brook Montessori Academy LLC
After moving to the valley in 2000, Tawnya, a mother of two, began working as an assistant to Patricia Barton in her Montessori school. Shortly after she took a position as a 3-year-old room teacher and in 2002 received her Montessori Certification.
As the Assistant Director of the Academy Tawnya is responsible for the creation of the school's structured lesson plans and sees that the classroom setting is always prepared as befitting a Montessori classroom. Tawnya has been involved with montessori for over 7 years, and an active teacher at Mountain Brook for over 5 years. She has developed her own teaching style that makes learning fun and exciting for students in her classroom. Being a member of the corporation as well as a teacher allows Tawnya to have a positive impact on the lives of her students throughout their school experience. |
