Family plans Montessori School at Honey Bear

When Crystal Hutchisson and her daughter Heather Jurva talk about Montessori education, their eyes light up.

“It’s into your soul,” Jurva said. “You cannot let go of it.”

Starting in September, Hutchisson will be the new manager and lead teacher at the long-standing Honey Bear Preschool in Columbia Falls. She’s revamping the building and the whole learning system, and will be using her Montessori certification to provide a holistic education for 3- to 6-year-olds.

Hutchisson has an extensive teaching background. Her degree is in early childhood education, and she taught for 16 years at Woodland Montessori in Kalispell.

“I thought I was going to retire, but I can’t retire,” Hutchisson laughed.

Not only did she teach at Woodland, but she was involved in the Montessori certification process for other educators — Woodland is the only school in Montana that offers the certification.

And by purchasing Honey Bear Preschool from former owner Diane Swope, Hutchisson is bringing her skills to Columbia Falls, where the population of young families is booming.

“It was the perfect opportunity to continue (Swope’s) work and bring Montessori to the community as well,” she said.

Hutchisson’s school stands out in other ways. In Montana, anybody can have up to 12 kids on their property and call it a preschool with no regulations, Hutchisson and Jurva said. But Hutchisson is getting licensed through the state and will have an 8-1 student-teacher ratio. Both hope that parents will have a lot of trust in the new school.

“When somebody voluntarily decides to go through licensing, you know they’re in it for the right reasons,” Jurva noted.

The Montessori system is based on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, who opened her first school in 1907. The motto is “follow the child,” Jurva said.

Teaching is based on respect of the child in all aspects, paying attention to what they’re receptive to and ready to learn, Hutchisson explained. All children have different learning styles, so Montessori focuses on their unique skills and boasts individualized curricula.

“They come out of there with the skills to be a lifelong learner,” Hutchisson said. “Instead of regurgitating it back to you, they absorb it.”

Jurva mentioned that one of her favorite things about being involved with Montessori education is hearing parents ask their children, “Who taught you to read?” and the kids respond, “I taught myself.”

Although the teacher facilitators provide the right materials at the right time for each child, the system allows kids to empower themselves to learn.

“When the child is ready to learn the lesson, that’s when you teach it,” Hutchisson added.

Many leaders in major companies, such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, and Bill Gates of Microsoft, reportedly attended Montessori schools. Montessori children tend to receive scholarships and remain lifelong learners.

As for behavioral problems typically found in young children, “There aren’t any,” Hutchisson confirmed.

“You’re giving them the social skills they need to develop internal discipline,” she said.

But it’s not a free-for-all.

“It is freedom within limits. There are definitely boundaries,” she explained.

Problems are solved by getting on the kids’ level and teasing out the reasons for misbehavior.

Honey Bear Montessori will open after Labor Day and is currently taking enrollment. About 16 to 20 students will be enrolled each year, Hutchisson said.

The school will offer music, movement, and monthly field trips to supplement the regular teachings, as well as before and after school care. Being so conveniently located in the center of Columbia Falls, behind the Back Room restaurant, will also allow the kids to be involved in community events.

Hutchisson and Jurva noted that there are no religious affiliations with Montessori, and it’s very inclusive.

“Montessori is for every child. It’s definitely the way to teach children,” Hutchisson noted. “It’s really just the respect of the child.”