Theresa Burke Garcia

Children have been some of my greatest teachers and I have loved working and learning with them for as long as I can remember. Formally, I began my career in early childhood education in 1993 after graduating with a degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. I followed this up by returning to work on my Masters degree, focusing on curriculum studies and museum education—this was my introduction to the Montessori method. While in graduate school I had the great fortune to become the assistant director and teacher in a Montessori-based school. I was truly inspired by this hands-on approach to learning that focused on facilitating the natural way a child absorbs knowledge from his environment. The Montessori method continued to influence my teaching style as I moved from private to public education.

I am now a mother, and my decision to officially get my Montessori training came from wanting to know more about Maria Montessori and her genius, and apply it to my own parenting style. Ultimately, as a teacher, it established the vision of the type of program I would want my own children to attend. A program that is sensitive to the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of the child as an individual. A program that nurtures an appreciation for the arts, a love of language, and a respect for nature and humanity. A program that creates a strong foundation for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning. I am excited to be a part of the development of the Young Children's Community program at Primavera, and I think it is a special place for a young child to learn and grow.

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, the children are now working as if I did not exist."…Maria Montessori