RACHAEL PITKIN - Lead Teacher - Junior Elementary

My own childhood took place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. My father, a library director, read with me and told me long stories. My mother, an editor, artist and baker, provided endless creative opportunities at home. As a family, we hiked, gardened and cooked together. Later, we moved to Colorado, where my mother begand to grill my writing skills with her editor’s mind. I tutored younger students and taught art classes for young children independently. My primary interests and resulting internships were in textile art and educational reform.

I graduated from St. John’s College in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts. When I could fully appreciate the blend of academic interest and love for nature and handiwork skills that characterized my childhood. I naturally returned to working with children in creative settings in and near Santa Fe.

I came to La Mariposa Montessori in 2011, and found here a wonderful blend of most things that I appreciate. To further my understanding of the Montessori Philosophy, I went on to earn both the Primary and Junior Elementary Montessori Education teaching Certificates through the North American Montessori Training Center. I interned and worked as an assistant in both the Primary and Elementary classrooms for 5+ years, absorbing and relishing in the philosophy under professional tutelage of the amazing Association Montessori International (AMI) trained guides at La Mariposa. I am now delighted to have the opportunity to lead the junior elemntary student in their development and discoveries!