Ready to READ:

Elise Rodriguez

“The child can develop fully by means of experience in his environment. We call such experiences ‘work’.” Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori’s quote also applies to adults.  I began my career in Montessori education as a mom twenty-three years ago.  As a parent, I immersed myself in our children’s early childhood education at Montessori schools in New York and Connecticut.  I learned the names of the materials so that I could have meaningful conversations with my children.  Tom and I participated in all school events to enhance our children’s experience.  My early Montessori training days included leading the parents’ association in its mission to educate parents, fundraise, and to bring families together in friendship and support of our schools.  Montessori parent experiences constitute the “work” that is the foundation of my career at Lamplighter.

My formal education includes degrees from Iona College (New Rochelle, NY): a B.A. in Political Science and French and an M.B.A. in Financial Management.  I joined the Lamplighter Montessori faculty in 2002.  I love to say that I took Maria Montessori literally when she professed, “follow the child.”  After 13 years as a Montessori mom, I went to school with my child.  I have served as a resource teacher in Lower Elementary and as an assistant teacher in the Middle School.  I have a lifetime experience around books (remember card catalogs and shelving books for your elementary school librarian.)  In 2005, I became Lamplighter’s librarian.  I am passionate about children and families READING TOGETHER.  I have successfully fulfilled the Praxis II requirements for the State of Tennessee for teaching Library Science and managing a school library.  I studied the History & Philosophy of Montessori Education this summer under the superb direction of Kathy Bradfield (Memphis Montessori Institute.)

The Lamplighter library curriculum is designed so that every student is at home in every library they visit – from the respectful care of books to the Dewey Decimal system.  We read aloud, we discuss, we marvel at illustrations, we know the Caldecott winners, we give impromptu book reviews, we research, we encounter heroes, we READ.  I invite you to join the party – READ at home with the same delight.   Share ideas with other parents – read aloud in a tent in the backyard or in the coziest corner of your house.  I have a treasure chest of ideas if you need a place to start.  Read aloud with your kids from birth through high school.  Maria Montessori would be proud.

My husband, Tom, and I have five children.  Our Lamplighter kids are Kevin (3rd grade) and Eric (8th grade.)  We love chatting about our kids year-round, so just ask.  Our family owns a mobile kids’ bookstore too.  Claiming dual citizenship for New York and Memphis, I am an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, and look forward to my first year as a volunteer teacher for 6th grade in our religious education program.  I enjoy professional development through a local middle school librarian’s reading circle, and I am a new member of the TN Association of School Librarians.  I love cooking, knitting and cross-stitch.  I am a proud sports’ mom for every sport, in every season.

I love wearing other hats.  At Lamplighter, you will catch me playing with our student Blue Aces Bridge Club on Tuesdays.  I will be facilitating our new Writing Club for 4th-8th graders on Friday afternoons.  As a Lamplighter parent, I look forward to volunteer and social opportunities to get to know you better.