Over the last few months, we have been introducing you to our MLK staff. We are thrilled to once again have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on three tremendous educators: Blanca Yuquilima, Robin Clemens, and Julie Causey.
Blanca - Blanca Yuquilima has been with MLK Montessori for less than a year. However, she has had a passion for early education for a very long time. “I connect really well with children. I’ve always wanted to do what I can to help them and make a difference.” Blanca earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential when she was just 17. After graduating from high school, she served as a teaching assistant for nearly a decade, and, last year, she earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education.
Though a longtime educator, Blanca did not know much about the Montessori Method until last year, when she enrolled her son, Alejandro, at MLK. “His teacher, Mr. Noah, explained to me about the Montessori materials and how they help children learn. Alejandro was using the Binomial Cube. It may look like just blocks, but as he was learning to fit the cubes back into the box, he was learning to problem solve, and, without even realizing it, he was being introduced to the idea of square roots!” Blanca was intrigued. She didn’t just want to learn more about Montessori, she wanted to become an MLK educator!
Blanca now serves as a lead preschool teacher at MLK and is working toward her Montessori certification at Trine University. Over the last year, she has grown even more impressed with the Montessori Method and contrasts the hands-on approach at MLK with more traditional preschool programs, where learning often takes place through worksheets. “I love how the Montessori curriculum encourages children to be independent and lets them lead. It’s much more hands-on.” Blanca also appreciates how Montessori educators do not “correct” academic errors. “You don’t tell them they’re doing it wrong. You might just say, ‘Hey! Can I teach you a lesson?’ I love that. It gives them independence and confidence.”
Moving forward, Blanca has many goals, not least of which is spreading the message of MLK throughout the community. “I told Ms. Greta that, if my dad had known about MLK and enrolled me, I think I would have excelled even more. I want more families to know about this opportunity.”
Robin - MLK Montessori’s Head Teacher, Robin Clemens, has been with the school for 17 years—longer than any other educator and longer than almost any other employee (Mr. Banks, MLK’s Director of Transportation and Maintenance, has her beat!).
Robin had always wanted to be a teacher. She earned a degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University and intended to teach elementary school. However, while serving as a substitute at a parochial school, she was offered the preschool teaching position. After spending some time in the preschool classroom, Robin knew that she had found her true calling. “I loved all of their wonderful questions and curiosity. They really soaked up information and wanted to learn.”
Unfortunately, the school eventually eliminated its preschool program, and Robin was compelled to find a new position. She interviewed at several schools but, after visiting MLK, she knew that it was the school for her. “The teachers were all very pleasant, and I liked the atmosphere at the school. The students were peaceful and engaged. It was very welcoming.”
For more than a decade, Robin flourished as a classroom educator. Then, four years ago, she took on a new role at MLK: Head Teacher. At first, Robin was unsure about her new position. She describes herself as somewhat shy person and admits that she was not comfortable giving directions to or correcting her fellow educators. However, just as Robin has always encouraged her students to challenge themselves and try new things, Robin realized that this was a wonderful opportunity to share her knowledge with her coworkers and to support collaboration. “We have such high-quality staff. We help each other when someone needs help. It’s nice to see everyone working so well together.”
Fortunately for Robin, even as Head Teacher, she still gets to spend time in the classroom. In fact, she is currently serving as Co-Teacher in the kindergarten room, supporting another teacher who is new to the Montessori Method. “I feel comfortable now as Head Teacher, but I still love working with kids. No matter what, I want to spend time in the classroom. That is still my major joy.”
Julie - With a bachelor’s degree in psychology (with a focus on children and adolescents), MLK educator Julie Causey had spent most of her career working for after-school programs and supporting older students who were struggling with significant behavioral challenges. Julie tutored and mentored the youth, worked with their families, and helped to coordinate services. Though she enjoyed this work, she felt herself being drawn to a more traditional educational setting. “I had always thought that I would love to be a teacher.”
Julie was first introduced to MLK Montessori when she enrolled her son in the school. As she began to develop relationships with her son’s educators and the staff, it became clear to everyone that Julie’s background—her understanding of how the brain impacts behaviors and the best ways to support students in crisis—could be a tremendous asset at MLK. “I was having a great dialogue with everyone, and they said, ‘You know, you should work here!’”
Last December, Julie was hired as a Behavior Specialist, and she spent the rest of the year building caring relationships with the students; educating staff and providing them with actionable behavior management strategies; and facilitating behavior plans with students’ families. “We had one student who was really struggling: biting, kicking, and throwing chairs. We taught him that it is okay to feel angry but taught him to safely express that anger. Once he had words, options, and control, his aggressive behaviors began to decrease.”
This year, Julie will continue to support educators by serving as a Behavior Specialist, but she is also fulfilling her longtime dream and will be teaching at MLK. “I am a little anxious because I’ve never been a teacher, but my co-teacher has been in the classroom for ten years, and she has a ton of knowledge. I think we will balance each other well.” To ensure her success, Julie is working to earn her Early Childhood Montessori Credentials and a master’s degree in Montessori Education from Trine University.
Julie is optimistic about both her future as a teacher and her students’ futures. “A lot of the challenges that I saw working with older students may have been nipped in the bud if those children had received whole-child services early in life and if their parents had received the supports they needed. A program like MLK really sets children up for success.”
