Bilingual Montessori preschool opens opportunities in Whitefish

At Big Sky Montessori, children will be greeted with, “Hola, ¿como estás?”

They will learn replies like “Muy bien” meaning “very good” or “¡Fantástico!” which is Spanish for “Fantastic!” Throughout the year, the kids, ranging from ages 2 to 6 years old, will be introduced to many Spanish phrases and words in the preschool classroom.

Andrea Johnson, owner and lead teacher at Big Sky Montessori, says preschool through kindergarten is the best time to learn a second language. Johnson, who grew up in Mexico, knows firsthand the advantages of learning more than one language and says she has benefited from it in her personal life.

“I do think it provides a cultural openness and so many opportunities,” Johnson said of learning a second language. “And at this age, it’s really easy to absorb another language. They are truly little sponges.” 

At Big Sky Montessori, students will be taught main lessons in English but the teachers will incorporate Spanish throughout each day.

The new school is also Montessori-based, which means it is a child-focused approach to education that uses specific materials to help students learn at their own pace with the guidance of teachers.

“Montessori provides an ideal, highly personalized classroom featuring small groups with specially trained teachers," Johnson said.

The school opened Jan. 3 in the Whitefish Mountain Mall. Big Sky Montessori offers flexible full-day and half-day options for three, four or five days per week. It follows the Whitefish School District calendar.

THE CLASSROOM is neutral-toned and an open concept. It has different areas such as culture, language, practical life, art, movement and several more. The child will come into the classroom and choose how they would like to start their day. With the large range of ages, the teachers personalize each of their programs.

“It’s our job as Montessori teachers to create a link in between the child and the environment, and we personalize their learning program,” Johnson said.

The room, which was once a tanning salon, underwent a major renovation to create an inviting learning space. Johnson said they demolished walls and painted over bright orange paint. She hand-picked each item in the classroom and made sure to have a large indoor movement area. The class will also spend time outdoors on the nearby Whitefish River Trail. 

Johnson says every Montessori learning material was created for a purpose and with a specific lesson behind it. The lessons with each material can start at a very basic level and expand as the child grows and is ready for more. 

BIG SKY Montessori's bilingual program offers a distinctive approach to language development. 

"English is the school's main language, but we integrate the richness of the Spanish language into daily learning,” Johnson said. “This dynamic blend allows children to grasp fundamental concepts in both languages and fosters a multicultural environment.”       

She explained this style of learning has long-term benefits. 

"Bilingual education for young children is crucial for promoting cultural openness and laying the groundwork for future language acquisition," Johnson said.

The bilingual aspect of the school is fairly unique for the Flathead Valley, though there are other schools here that teach more than one language. That includes the schools Johnson has taught at for over a decade. Johnson began as a Spanish and assistant teacher in Kalispell's two largest Montessori schools and has served as a lead teacher since earning her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential in 2016.

Johnson was born and raised in Mexico. Her mother is a translator in Italian, French, English and Spanish.  

“Language was always big in my household,” she said. 

She grew up traveling to the United States and went to a school called the John F Kennedy School in Mexico which was also a bilingual school. 

She met her husband in 2009 and moved to the Flathead Valley, where he was born and raised, in 2010 to start a family. Johnson and her husband have two children ages 12 and 10.

She wanted to branch out and start her own Montessori school because she loves teaching and there is also a high demand for more childcare in the valley. It was the right time in her personal and professional life for this venture.

Johnson hopes through opening Big Sky Montessori, she can share her love of Montessori and bring more of it into the valley.

For more information or inquiries about openings, email bigskymontessori@gmail.com or send a message to Big Sky Montessori via Facebook or Instagram.

    An art area at Big Sky Montessori preschool in the Whitefish Mountain Mall. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)    

    A shelf contains Montessori specific materials at the Big Sky Montessori bilingual preschool. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    The inviting and open-concept learning space at Big Sky Montessori bilingual preschool. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)