info@villageworksmontessori.com
404-482-3940
About Your Village
Quinn Fortune
Montessori Educator and Private Child Care Provider
Quinn is the owner and founder of VillageWorks Montessori, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the field of early childhood education.
Despite her initial reluctance to pursue a teaching career during her teenage years, Quinn's journey took a transformative turn when she discovered a local Montessori school, igniting her interest in education. Her background includes working as a babysitter in high school and as a nanny during her college years, where she honed her skills in childcare.
An accomplished thespian, Quinn has engaged in various facets of theater, including acting, singing, costuming, and stage management, often in roles that involved caring for and educating children. In 2009, Quinn relocated to the Atlanta area, where
she began her career as a child actor chaperone. Her experience with multiple families led to a successful career as a private childcare provider, encompassing roles such as mother’s helper, nanny, sitter, and travel nanny. Quinn holds a Montessori certification as an Assistants to Infancy educator, specializing in working with children from birth to three years. With over a decade of classroom experience and more than 20 years in private childcare, she is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and educational environment for young children. In addition to her childcare services, Quinn is a children's book author and is currently developing a video course aimed at supporting parents in their caregiving journey.
The Montessori Method
The Montessori Method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, is an educational approach that emphasizes hands-on, child-centered learning. It focuses on fostering independence, creativity, and a love for learning in children. The Montessori method is often associated with several key principles:
1. Respect for the Child: The approach is built on the belief that children are naturally eager to learn. It recognizes their individuality and encourages independence by allowing them to make choices in their learning.
2. Prepared Environment: Montessori classrooms are carefully arranged to provide children with opportunities to explore and learn at their own pace. Materials are accessible and designed to be engaging, stimulating curiosity and concentration.
3. Mixed Age Groups: Classes typically include children of varying ages, allowing older students to mentor younger ones. This fosters a community atmosphere where children learn from each other and develop social skills.
4. Hands-On Learning: Montessori materials are designed for tactile exploration. Children learn through manipulating physical objects and engaging in real-life activities, which helps them understand abstract concepts.
5. Self-Directed Activity: Children are encouraged to choose their own activities, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning process. This autonomy promotes intrinsic motivation and deeper engagement with the material.
6. Role of the Teacher: In the Montessori classroom, teachers act as guides or facilitators rather than traditional instructors. They observe and support children’s interests, helping to tailor learning experiences to their individual needs.
The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) is a global organization that upholds and promotes the principles established by Dr. Montessori. AMI supports training and certification for educators in the Montessori Method and advocates for quality Montessori education globally.
Overall, the Montessori Method prioritizes holistic child development and aims to cultivate self-motivated learners who are capable of critical thinking and problem-solving in a collaborative environment.