Welcome to Itzcali Montessori Spanish Immersion School LLC. We officially opened our doors on August 3rd, 2021. Although Itzcali Montessori School is new to the East Austin and Mueller areas, we are not new to the Montessori way of learning. Anna Ruiz and Dolores Martinez who are both owners of Itzcali are sisters (hermanas) and together have over 30 years of Montessori experience. Both obtained their Montessori license in 2006 for 3-6 year olds. We are excited that Itzcali will now offer a Montessori program for ages 0-3 years of age. Both Anna and Gloria Torres (third owner) will soon be licensed in the 0-3 age group.
We have also worked in other areas of government for many years. Dolores Martinez, retired from IRS and Texas Workforce Commission and has helped raise her children, granddaughters, and great grand-daughters using the Montessori methods at home. Gloria Torres is a retiree from the Texas Education Agency and raised her children the Montessori way using Practical Life activities for all her children. Leticia Crespo, our director, has successfully managed 2 Montessori schools, and we are pleased that she has accepted the position of director at Itzcali. We are in the process of hiring staff who are proficient in Spanish and will immerse your child in the Spanish language and culture.
All employees have met the licensing requirements to teach in a licensed facility in the State of Texas, including having background checks and FBI fingerprints. The school is licensed and monitored by the Texas Department of Protective and Family Services.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Itzcali Montessori Spanish Immersion School LLC is to provide a stimulating environment, which can help children develop the foundation, attitudes, skills, and ideas essential to learning within themselves. With our support, children will be fully immersed in the Spanish language as soon as they start their day.
Maria Montessori observed that children are self-motivated. Children move themselves toward learning. While the teacher prepares a stimulating environment, the child is the one who learns and is motivated through interesting work provided in the environment. Montessori materials teach children to observe, think, and judge. Our teachers will guide the children with a positive attitude so that they will focus on learning and building their concentration for lifelong study skills.
OUR OBJECTIVE
Dr. Montessori found that a child’s true nature is that of peace and harmony. This emerges through normalization and influence brought by the people around them. To fully develop the child and hone their skills, the child must have freedom. The Montessori methods and principles applied in the classroom help the child achieve this freedom, allowing them to work free from adult intervention and follow their natural development.
Dr. Montessori developed the “Prepared Environment”, which allows children the freedom to learn at their own pace and select the materials and medium they would like to learn with. Through normalization, they become self-disciplined individuals. During a child’s three to six years of age, they are most attracted to the rules of human behavior, and parents are encouraged to let children learn and develop their manners during this period. In the Montessori Method, guides can observe each child individually.
Read more about our programs utilizing the Montessori Method here.
