About Us

Mission

The mission of Children’s Garden Montessori is to foster a safe and peaceful learning community of preschool and kindergarten children, families, and educators supported by the Maria Montessori model of teaching and learning that includes respect, responsibility, exploration, and an appreciation for diversity.

Vision

Our vision is to provide the community with an enriched, high quality, culturally sensitive Montessori preschool and kindergarten for children ages 3 through 6.

Setting

The school was designed by an architect who specializes in early childhood buildings. It is surrounded by fields and rolling hills with a natural grass playground. We offer a country setting, yet we are conveniently located, just minutes from Cherry Hill Village (in Canton MI). We have a garden tended by the children with an outdoor classroom and a homey schoolhouse. Children’s Garden Montessori is an ideal place for children to learn and make new friends.

Director and Teacher

 
Laura Bertsch is the director and founder of Children’s Garden Montessori. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood, and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Science. Laura is a certified Montessori teacher at the preprimary level. She is a certified master naturalist and received nature teacher certification in 2020. Also, Laura is certified in CPR, First Aid, and the new COVID-19 guidelines.  She has over 20 years of experience in teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. She was part of a pilot program that brought Montessori to the public school sector and has been a mentor to new teachers throughout her career.
Laura is working towards fluency in sign language, and enjoys signing in the classroom. With her strong science background and her love of nature, she does many hands on experiments to engage her students. Laura has been trained in Handwriting Without Tears, and finds this program very effective in helping young children learn to write. Laura has served on an Instructional Consultation Team (ICT), which develops intervention strategies for students with academic issues. Laura has been a media specialist, which included working with young children and educational technology. Laura is married with two teenagers: One in college and other other in high school.  Her hobbies include reading, swimming, yoga, and taking walks in the woods with her family.

Teacher

Amy Kochoian is a teacher at Children’s Garden Montessori. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a valid Michigan teaching certificate. She completed her Montessori primary training in 2018.
She has worked with children from ages 12 weeks to 11 year olds. Previously, she has worked as an elementary school reading interventionist, summer school teacher, and childcare center director. She brings her calm demeanor, kindness, and caring to her interactions with children.
Amy has attended professional development training in guidance and behavior management, child growth and development, etc. She is certified in the Handwriting without Tears program. Also, Amy is certified in CPR, First Aid, and the new COVID-19 guidelines.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, and making frequent trips to Frankenmuth where she was married in 2019. Amy enjoys being an aunt to her two nephews and niece, and spending time with her family. Some of her hobbies include, traveling, scrapbooking, Detroit Tigers games, and working on home renovation projects.

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