How Apple Montessori Maxwell Fosters Students' Lifelong Success

This Patch article is sponsored by Apple Montessori Schools.

Apple Montessori Schools is a network of schools that puts an emphasis on nurturing the whole child. Their mission is to educate, enrich and inspire children to reach their fullest potential as kind, independent, curious and happy individuals.

Teuta Shehu, lead toddler teacher at Apple Montessori School Maxwell, takes pride in creating positive and nurturing environments where children are taught to become "compassionate, respectful citizens."

Learn more about Shehu and the school's educational method that is helping children succeed in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: How long have you been teaching at Apple Montessori School Maxwell?

Shehu: Two-and-a-half years

Patch: What attracted you to becoming a preschool teacher in general, and a Montessori teacher in particular?

Shehu: I love working with children, but I specifically enjoy working as a Montessori teacher because I love watching children gravitate toward the materials by actually wanting to learn and not taking their education for granted.

Patch: What is the best part of your job?

Shehu: Helping children reach their fullest potential, while also forming relationships with families to build the partnership required for a successful experience.

Patch: What is the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve had over the years?

Shehu: Over the years, I’ve had to learn not to take it personally if a child struggles with a particular concept. Fortunately, the Montessori method provides me with many ways to individualize lessons for a child depending on their ability and needs. At Apple we have many games that teach the same concept and skill, so if a child doesn’t understand the concept one way, the child will eventually learn the concept with another piece of Montessori material.

Patch: What are you most excited about in the upcoming school year? Are there any new projects or endeavors you or Apple are working on that you’re excited about?

Shehu: I am really excited that we just opened up three new classrooms — two infant and one toddler. I really believe that Apple is the best place for children to begin their educational journey, and I am thrilled that we will be able to give that opportunity to more children in the community.

Patch: If you had to sum up Apple Montessori Schools’ mission in five words, what would they be?

Shehu: The 5 A's revolving around the children:

1. Ambitious — For children to reach their fullest potential and staff to help them get there!

2. Affectionate — Children know they are loved and that their teachers will do anything to help them reach their fullest potential.

3. AMAZING — World-class quality!

4. Adventurous — The sky’s the limit for our students.

5. Appreciative — This is what makes our culture so special. Our staff is valued, which in turn allows them to provide the best possible experience for the children.

Patch: How would you say Apple Montessori School Maxwell is different from and better than a traditional preschool or daycare environment?

Shehu: Apple is focused on educating the whole child. Yes, most of our students are reading by age 4 and many of our kindergartners on average are testing two grade levels above their peers in math and reading. But Apple Montessori does not just focus solely on the academics. The curriculum also focuses on the children becoming compassionate, respectful citizens through the peace education, character development, grace and courtesy and yoga components of the curriculum. It’s wonderful to see children asking their classmates properly for something, such as, “May I have an apple slice,” and their classmate replies with “Yes, please,”“No, thank you,” or even, “Thank you for offering!”

Patch: What is the best piece of advice a co-worker or supervisor at Apple has ever given you?

Shehu: Mr. Dimitratos, our director, has always listened to teachers and encouraged us to share our insight with him. He has demonstrated the importance of being good listeners as classroom leaders, too — it’s the best characteristic to have with our own teams, as well as our Apple families.

Patch: What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a Montessori teacher?

Shehu: You will love the positive and nurturing environments as children reach their fullest potential with the natural approach to learning.

Patch: Do you know of any events coming up in Hoboken?

Shehu: Hoboken Harvest Fest on Oct. 19! Our Hoboken Sinatra School will be having an open house during the festival. We will also be throwing a Family Day for the Hoboken community on Nov. 9 at 10:00 a.m., here at AMS Hoboken Maxwell. Come see how we can develop a foundation for a lifetime of happiness and success