Montessori School of Moscow

Montessori in Moscow

About Montessori School of Moscow

Our school is open to local and international families residing in Moscow. When opening our school we have studied best practices of Montessori education available worldwide. We are convinced that each family is entitled to getting the same high standard of Montessori education, no matter if they need to relocate to Moscow, New York City, Tokyo, or elsewhere. We are aware of the challenges faced by international families relocating to Moscow and will go an extra mile to facilitate this transition. Our staff, both international and local, are all fluent in English. To our families, we offer bilingual Montessori environment where children learn to communicate in both English and Russian, while their parents will always get first hand recommendations regarding their children's development in the language that they prefer.

Susan Stephenson, who has been contributing to MSM as school consultant since our first year, has visited us again in October 2011. Her feedback is quoted below:

"Although the school was well on its way in 2010, it is remarkable to see the progress that has taken place in only 18 months! Having a separate entrance into the Parent Infant class, the Infant Community, and Casa dei Bambini, helps children feel that they are indeed entering a space that has been created just for them, a real "children's house". One seldom sees this at even the best schools in other countries. The windows and views of the trees and the sky created an important view of nature, and the classroom spaces, the wonderful teachers and assistants are a model of excellence." 

 
Our Approach and Policies

The Montessori approach recognizes that a child is more responsive to certain learning experiences at particular times or “sensitive periods.” Our staff have a deep understanding of child psychology, physiology and developmental planes. In our work, we ensure that each child is approached individually without interrupting their chosen workcycles and with respect to their genuine needs and interests and with the well-being of the group in mind. We partner with parents to provide the most positive learning and living experience to each child.

We respect family diets and each child's medical limitations thus no lunch is offered by the school. Children bring their own lunch boxes and sit down for lunch at the communal table. Snacks are provided by the school at any time.

 
Montessori School of Moscow Community Map

This map highlights the coutries represented in our community. We have Russian, international and bilingual children in our classrooms. We highly appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions represented in our community and take great pride in it.

 
Staff of Montessori School of Moscow

Valentina Zaytseva
Founder

Valentina Zaytseva 

After a few years in international business consulting, Valentina is focusing on education management. She graduated from Moscow State University in Russia and has a Master's degree from Tufts University in the USA.

Before starting the school, Valentina travelled to the United States to visit schools accredited by Association Montessori Internationale and American Montessori Society.

In 2010 Valentina went through the Whole School Management training under David Kahn, the Executive Director of North American Montessori Teachers Association.


Joanne King
Head of School

Joanne King 

Joanne has a strong background in international Montessori education. A British citizen, she has lived and worked in Thailand, Japan and India before coming to Russia in 2009. Joanne has solid experience of working in multicultural classrooms and knows how to work effectively with children whose native language is not English.

With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Joanne has obtained her 0-3 certification from North American Montessori Centre and holds her 3-6 and 6-12 diplomas from Association Montessori Internationale. This unique qualification is a true asset to our school.

Joanne helped Valentina start Montessori School of Moscow and launch all of our programs in line with the AMI standard. She has been personally directing a class of 25 children since 2009 until 2012. Joanne leads our parent education and staff development processes Joanne and is a key cotributor to MSM's strategic planning.


Danielle Gauthier
Head of 3-6 Program

Danielle Gauthier 

Danielle joins us in August 2012 to manage our Casa dei Bambini program, which now has 25 children enrolled, aged between 2 and 7 years old. She will also support Joanne King in all processes involving adult learners.

Danielle is from Canada and 3-12 trained by AMI. She has been working with children since 2002. An Early Childhood Education professional, Danielle is certified in Speech Therapy, Stick Drawing and Brain Based Learning. She has studied under Malaspina University's Music/Jazz Program and has a love for music. Danielle is experieced in working with children who have disabilities.


Eleonora Galyuk

Head of 0-3 Program

Eleanora Galuk 

Eleonora has studied in Russia, United States and Japan. In addition to her native Russian skills, she speaks fluent English and Japanese. Before her employment with us, Eleonora was working at an international school and in the corporate world.

Eleonora leads our Toddler Community and oversees our work with parents who come to class with their children aged 2 to 12 months. Eleonora also conducts workshops for parents-to-be.

Eleonora is qualified by Association Montessori Internationale to work with children under 3 years of age and their families. She holds her Assistants to Infancy diploma from The Montessori Institute of Denver, where she trained under Judi Orion, one of the best trainers in the world, after being recommended for a 0-3 course by Susan Stephenson, our consultant. 


Yulia Steshina
School Manager

Yulia Steshina 

Yulia joined MSM in 2012 as our School Manager. A graduate of Higher School for Foreign Languages, she also attended pre-MBA courses in Macroeconomics and Management at Harvard University and later studied at the Asian Institute of Gemmology. Before joining MSM, Yulia worked in the automotive sector for a number of years: she launched and managed a car painters training center in Moscow which was part of Dupont International. Later she launched several B2B projects, specifically, in the gemstone sector. Yulia is fluent in English and can speak Thai.


Ksenia Kholmovskaya
Administrative assistant

Ksenia Kholmovskaya 

Ksenia joined MSM in 2012 as our Administrative Assistant. An alumna of the International School of Brussels, she graduated from Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia with a major in Sociology. Before joining MSM, Ksenia has worked at the European Medical Center and Boston Cosulting Group. She is fluent in English and French.


Elena Cherkasova

Deputy Head of 0-3 Program

Elena Cherkasova 

Elena joined MSM in 2011 and is now contributing to our 0-3 program. A graduate of the Moscow Montessori Center (3-6 training course), she has experience running a small class of her own. In 2012 Elena plans to enroll in the Assistants to Infancy Course at the Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado, USA. Elena has a professional interest in Photography.


Maria Dobroradova

Consultant

Maria Dobroradova 

Maria has been with MSM since 2010. A graduate of International Academy for Business and Management, she is also an avid musician (singer).

Maria's vocal talent is an extraordinary contribution into the life of our Casa dei Bambini program. She is also fluent in English.


Yana Knignitskaya
Consultant

Yana Knignitskaya 

Yana joined Montessori School of Moscow at its inception and since has taken part in launching all of our programs.

At the moment Yana is hosting our Parent Infant Class for parents with babies aged between 2 and 12 months. She also supports Eleonora in various other aspects of our 0-3 program.

Yana is a graduate of Higher School of Economics. In addition to her native Russian and fluent English skills, she speaks Ukrainian.


Eva Maria Moroz
Assistant

Eva Maria Moroz 

Eva Maria joined MSM in 2011 and contributes to our 0-3 program. A graduate of Moscow State University, Department of Sociology, with major in communication systems, Eva Maria is now studying at the Institute for Psychology and Pedagogics where she focuses on Counseling. Besides, she is now training for professional qualification in "Psychological Preparation for Parenting for Parents-to-be (at the Perinatal, Infancy and Early Childhood stages)". Eva Maria has a keen interest for early development of psychomotor skills in children and building efficient communication in the family as well as different approaches to its interpretation.


Olga Kononova
Consultant

Olga Kononova 

Olga joined MSM in 2011. A graduate of Foreign Languages Department of Buryat State University in Ulan-Ude, Russia, she has also been trained in Social Action by Lazos Learning Foundation in Canada and by Foundation for the Application and Teaching of Sciences (FUNDAEC) in Colombia. Olga has worked in the areas of foreign languages instruction, translation, journalism and education management. Before joining MSM, she has worked at the Anglo-American School and Atlantic School in Moscow as Teaching Assistant. Olga is fluent in English and speaks German. 

 

 


Our News

  • MSM launches a Development Office to help start more authentic AMI programs in Russia! Contact us if you're interested.
  • Montessori School of Moscow is one of the best schools for children under 7 years of age, according to Forbes Russia online.

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