Olivia Hinson

How did you discover Montessori? For about half of my life, I have been a nanny for a family who has attended WSM for many years. Getting to know those children and hearing about their experiences made me want to learn more about Montessori in general. And once I did, I was hooked!

Why do you love being a Montessori teacher? Being a Montessori teacher has been a dream of mine for a long time. As a Montessorian, instead of only teaching a child to read and write, I get to know and love the WHOLE child, and everything that they are. We don’t just give them facts and information to memorize so they can pass a test. We get to help them struggle and grow, and learn about what it means to be a kind and responsible human being.

What about WSM attracted you to the school? I love WSM because it has shown me what it really means to be a teacher. Before working here, I thought that teachers knew everything, and had a duty to fill each child up with their infinite knowledge. Now I know that I have as much—if not more—to learn from my community as they have to learn from me. Not only do I work with many brilliant and dedicated adult colleagues, but I also get to be curious and learn something new from my students each and every day.

What are your credentials?

• Graduated from UNCG with a BS in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Music and a Spanish minor.

• Studied abroad for a semester in Toledo, Spain.