Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Swank

Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Swank

Dec 13, 2022 | Featured Posts, School Blog | 2 comments

We have the pleasure of honoring Stephanie Swank in this Staff Spotlight. Stephanie has been a part of the Hershey family for 25 years! She is our After Care Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, and Children’s House Assistant. Stephanie grew up in Concord and continues to live in Lake County, close to our Concord campus. She lived in Breckenridge, Colorado for a short time and worked as a facility lead in their ski school program, which is when she fell in love with snowboarding.

Stephanie has been married to her Husband, Mike, for 20 years this December, and has three beautiful children: Michael, Ava, and Carter. Mike and Stephanie became “dog parents” two years ago to Mabel and have a 15-year-old Calico cat named Belle. Her happiest moment was becoming a mother and her favorite thing to do is snuggle with her kids and have a movie night.

Enjoy our full interview with Stephanie below:

 

Hi Stephanie, do you have a nickname?

Almost everyone calls me Stephanie with a few exceptions. My father has always called me Stephie and when I first came to Hershey, YCC guide Ellen Molnar, who was like a second mother, called me Stephie as well. There are still a few staff members that pull out that name and it brings me comfort from childhood and my fondest memories of Ellen.

 

That’s beautiful. Can you tell us what brought you to Hershey?                                

A friend of a staff member (Karen Dorsey) at the time had shared that the school was hiring for an assistant role in the After School program … and so, it began 😊.

 

And we love that you are here. What drew you to Montessori?

What draws me to Montessori would be the love of learning.

 

Tell us what you do at Hershey that is unique to you.

I wear a few different hats at Hershey, and I absolutely love it! I feel so lucky to see the children, especially in After Care, grow and develop throughout all their years at the school.

 

That must be amazing to watch! What would you say is your favorite part of your work at Hershey?

I would have to say that my favorite part would be observing a child move through the steps of independence. To see the smile of self-accomplishment or a small giggle of excitement when a child learns how to do something for themselves is breathtaking.

 

Where is your favorite place to go?

My childhood home! Getting together for Sunday dinners at my parents’ house with my siblings and extended family is the best!

 

We agree! What is your favorite book?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

 

That is a great quote. Do you have a favorite movie?

The Harry Potter series.

 

A very popular favorite! Do you have a favorite Hershey memory?                     

This is a difficult one to answer, I have such grand memories of so many children, their families, and the staff that have been a part of Hershey for the last 25 years. I feel honored to have a connection to so many beautiful people. One specific memory would be when I was sitting at my son Michael’s graduation from Hershey’s Upper School and remembering the same feelings of emotion when we had his first day in the Parent-Infant program.

 

That must have been truly emotional. Since we are in this personal space with you, can you share with us who has made the biggest impact on your life?

This would be my husband, Mike. He inspires me with his commitment to overcoming challenges with a positive outlook on life.

 

Those are great traits to have in a spouse! How would your friends and family describe you and how would you describe yourself?

I believe my friends and family would say that I am a kind and loving person, someone who always tries to find the best in a person or situation. I would describe myself as an open and understanding person who is kindhearted.

 

What is the biggest life lesson you would like to share with others?

Take the time to enjoy the moment! We all have such busy lives, and I am grateful to have taken the time to stay in the small moments of life that are now beautiful memories.

 

That is excellent advice and a perfect way to conclude our time together. Thank you for allowing us to recognize you. It is truly a pleasure to get to know you better. On behalf of all the staff and families here at Hershey, we appreciate all that you do and all that you bring to our community. We are grateful to you!

 

Staff Spotlight: Cristina Echeverria

Staff Spotlight: Cristina Echeverria

Nov 22, 2022 | Featured Posts, School Blog | 0 comments

This month’s staff spotlight honors Cristina Echeverria. Cristina is the Spanish Guide for Hershey Montessori School’s Middle and Upper School. Prior to joining our Hershey family in August of 2022, Cristina was a Spanish teacher at the Spring Garden Waldorf School, in Northeast Ohio. Cristina is originally from Bogota, Columbia, and enjoys sharing her native culture with her students. Every summer she likes to return to Colombia and stay at the beach as well as visit a small city there called Barichara.

Her favorite things to do include traveling with her daughter and friends, trying different types of food, hiking, dancing, meditating, and learning new things. She is currently residing in Orange. She is a single mom to her 9-year-old daughter who she says is the absolute love of her life!

Enjoy our interview with Cristina below:

Tell us what you do at Hershey that is unique to you.

I love sharing my Colombian culture with the school community. For example, sometimes I cook traditional meals from my country to share with the school and recreate traditional dances from my country.

 

What is your favorite part of your work at Hershey?

I like teaching Spanish, sharing about my culture and seeing how students progress in the language every day. I also enjoy the community work that we do on Fridays, as it is a fun way to develop new skills and connect with different members of the school.

 

What brought you to Hershey?                                

I was curious to learn about the teaching methodology of Maria Montessori.

 

What drew you to Montessori?

The further developing of several skills, including how to work independently and responsibly, critical thinking, and the learning of new skills every day.

 

Do you have a favorite Hershey memory?                     

After three months of being in school, I had the pleasure of seeing my students from various different nationalities recreate folk dances from my country.

 

What is a little-known fact about you?

I am ambidextrous — I am left-handed, but I can also use my right hand to cut, and play sports.

 

What is your favorite book?

Americanah, a novel by Chimamanda, Ngozi Adichle

 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Never underestimate the ability to try. Trying can turn nothing into something because even the smallest steps have the chance to become Bigger Things” by Roger Lee

 

Who has made the biggest impact in your life and what does that impact look like?

My mother is my biggest role model. She returned to college, after being married and having three children, to become a lawyer. She finished her degree with honors. She inspires me to be an independent woman and follow my dreams.

 

How would your friends and family describe you and how would you describe yourself?

They say that I am a persistent, smart, disciplined, organized, sociable, sensitive, kind-hearted, supportive, passionate, brave, authentic, loving, affectionate, cheerful, spontaneous, and generous person.

I really am persistent because I like to reach my goals and fulfill them. I am very optimistic, sensitive, and passionate.

 

Tell us about your happiest moment.

The birth of my daughter.

 

What is the biggest life lesson you would like to share with others?

I would say my biggest life lesson was learning how to support myself and start over from scratch when I immigrated to the United States. I left the comfort and security of a good job, family, and friends to come to America. I had to teach myself a new language and adjust to the new culture. It was tough to reinvent myself and create a new life, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

 

Thank you for sharing your time and your personal side of life with us, Cristina. It is such a pleasure to get to know more about you. We truly appreciate your infectious energy and bright smile, and all that you bring to your students each and every day. We are grateful for your presence and work in our community!

Hershey Adolescents Masterfully Mural with Grant from Ohio Arts Council

Hershey Adolescents Masterfully Mural with Grant from Ohio Arts Council

Nov 11, 2022 | Featured Posts, Life at Hershey, School Blog, School News | 0 comments

Hershey Montessori School extends our gratitude and thanks to the Ohio Arts Council for approving a grant that will allow teaching artist Laurel Herbold to work directly with the 9th-12th grade students in our upper school community for a year-long residency. The yearlong project, titled Mastering Murals: Upper School Adolescent Mural Project at Hershey Montessori School, will provide students throughout our upper school community with the opportunity to learn, grow and mature in their understanding of mural arts. It will also help students develop their creative expression and build skills in areas such as filmmaking, photography, graphic arts, and entrepreneurship.

Laurel will be on campus for an average of 26 hours per week for 32 weeks. The residency will culminate in a permanent, large-scale wall mural with removable sections, videos, images, postcards, and posters that will be presented to the entire school community. For the project, Laurel will guide students through the entire mural creation process including the planning timeline, design, materials, paints and brushes, painting technique, and presentation.

Students working on this project will have the opportunity to share what they are learning with the Concord school community as part of community building and the mastery process, which includes students demonstrating their knowledge and growth through teaching others. Students may join this project throughout the year, and students who help Laurel through the first two quarters will lead a mural workshop for upper elementary (grades 4-6) during the fourth quarter.

This project will be accessible to students and families through both an in-person event and online communications and will be widely accessible from an ADA perspective. The success of the residency will be measured through student engagement, student articulation (the ability to clearly explain what was learned), and valorization (a Montessori term meaning that a student becomes strong and feels worthy, confident in their work, and capable of moving the work and themselves forward to pursue other ideologies) and guide observation.

Hershey is excited to share this opportunity with the adolescents and families in our community, and we are honored to have Laurel join us for the first two quarters of the 2021-2022 school year and the first 2 quarters of the 2022-2023 school year. Once again, we would like to thank the Ohio Arts Council for their generous grant and support for this project.

Hershey would also like to extend a special thanks to Martha Loughridge, a grant writer for Montessori Development Partnerships. Without her help, none of this would be possible. MDP was founded in 1990 by Debra Guren and David Kahn. MDP’s mission is to bring human and financial resources into a coordinated effort that results in greater support for Montessori schools in North America. Their vision is to bring more access to Montessori for more children. You can find more information about MDP by visiting their website, https://www.montessori-mdp.org/.

Staff Spotlight: Luisa Mendez

Staff Spotlight: Luisa Mendez

May 23, 2022 | Featured Posts, School Blog | 0 comments

This month’s staff spotlight honors Luisa Mendez. Luisa has been with Hershey Montessori School since 2008. She started at Hershey as the Spanish teacher and Library coordinator. She then went on to earn her AMI diploma in Denver, Colorado. Luisa now works as a Young Child Community guide where she spends her days guiding and supporting young children in their development as well as supporting their parents in their journey of parenting.

 

Hi Luisa, do you have a nickname?

My family calls me by my middle name; Yanina and Lu. 🙂

 

Tell us what you do at Hershey that is unique to you.

This is really hard to answer! I guess that would be that I speak Spanish with the children and teach them songs in Spanish.

 

That is unique! I bet the children love it. What is your favorite part of your work at Hershey?

My favorite part is seeing how much the children change in such a short period of time. To see them discover the world through the material in the environment; to build relationships with their peers and the adults that support them; to be able to support them in developing the joy for work from a very young age. I love having fun with them by dancing and singing, going on our daily morning walks, and connecting with nature.

 

Tell us about your family. 

I am married to Patrick Lauriano. Patrick was born in Brazil. We met when I started working at his family restaurant while going to college. We have two daughters, Gabi and Isa, and they are both at Hershey’s Huntsburg campus. Gabi is 16 and is in her 10th year, and Isa is 12 in her 7th year. We also have a cat named Nalo.

 

Where are you from?

I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States with my mom and three sisters when I was 12 years old. I grew up on the west side of Cleveland and moved to Painesville to go to Lake Erie College. I have been living there ever since.

 

What did you do before coming to Hershey?                                                        

I was a Spanish teacher at another school and worked as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant.

 

What brought you to Hershey?                                

I came to interview for the Spanish position and felt so connected with the Montessori approach. I knew then that I wanted my daughter, Gabi (that was 2 at that time) to grow up with these principles.

 

So you were immediately drawn to Montessori?

Yes, during the interview, I was invited to observe a Children’s House community. I instantly fell in love with the joy I saw in the classrooms. The concentration and the collaboration between the children — all the grace and courtesy that happened during my observation was mind-blowing. I knew then that I wanted this way of life for all my children.

 

It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Do you have a favorite Hershey memory?                     

When I was the Spanish teacher, I used to come in quietly into each room. I used to greet every child that joined my lessons by shaking their hands and saying good morning in Spanish, “Buenos Dias.” I remember there was a child that used to always say and even share with all her friends, “Buenos Dias is here, Buenos Dias is here!” when I entered the classroom. She thought Buenos Dias was my name.

 

That is precious! Tell us where your love to go.

The beach is for sure my favorite place in the world. I love to visit the Dominican Republic every time I can and share my culture with my girls. The ocean and the sand have powerful ways of taking all my worries away, and bring me so much peace.

 

What is your favorite thing to do?

I love dancing to all types of music, but especially Latin music. I love cooking and sharing the food I make with others. I also love deep cleaning, especially the kitchen!

 

What is a little known fact about you?

I love snakes, especially the really big ones. I hope to one day be able to go to the Amazon River to see a big anaconda.

 

Oh my! What is your favorite book?

Holes by Louis Sachar.

 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Be the change you want in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi.

 

Who has made the biggest impact in your life and what does that impact look like?

My mom has made the biggest impact in my life. When we were growing up, she had to work so hard to provide for me and my sister. She instilled in me the value of working hard for our dreams.

 

How would your friends and family describe you and how would you describe yourself?

My closest friends would probably describe me as someone who is kind and always willing to lend a helping hand to those that need my help, that I probably put others before myself — and that I take too much on but somehow manage to accomplish most of those things and that I don’t know how to say no.

I would describe myself as someone who loves supporting and helping others; as someone with positive hopes for future generations. I love being with my family and sharing special moments with them.

 

Tell us about your happiest moments.

Going on vacation with family, to travel with them and share all the wonderful things this earth has to offer.

 

What is your biggest life lesson you would like to share with others?

That we should always fight for our dreams with hard work and dedication; that we can be the difference and change in the world, but it must start with change in ourselves. There is nothing that kindness can’t make better.

 

So very true, Luisa. Thank you for sharing your time and your personal side of life with us. It is such a pleasure to get to know more about you. We truly appreciate what you bring to your classroom and are grateful for your presence and work in our community!

Alumni Spotlight: Makenna Venaleck

Alumni Spotlight: Makenna Venaleck

Apr 28, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight, Hershey Alumni, School Blog | 0 comments

This Alumni Spotlight is devoted to Makenna Venaleck. Makenna is in her fourth year as a full-time student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she lives with her three roommates and Wybie, their “wonderful” cat. She will graduate in May with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Applied Mathematics. Makenna is originally from Concord, and upon graduation, she will be relocating back to the Cleveland area to begin working as a Systems Engineer for RoviSys, an automation engineering company in Aurora.

Enjoy our interview with Makenna, below.

 

Hi Makenna, thank you for your time today. Let’s start with first things first. What brought you to Hershey Montessori School and how long were you here? 

I came to Hershey because my mom worked/works there and used to bring me to school with her as a baby. I officially started Hershey in the YCC (Young Child Community). I spent all my school years at Hershey — From YCC to 12th grade — from 1 year to 18 years old!

 

How amazing. What did you like most about your Montessori education?

I liked the holistic approach to every topic of education. Being able to see the connection between the abstract concepts being taught and the physical land that was present was very valuable and kept me invested in my own education solely for the purpose of learning. I was able to dive deeper into every topic purely because it was interesting to me and because I felt the joy of learning.

 

Yes, it’s an incredible approach. Do you have a favorite Hershey memory?

My favorite Hershey memories are from community work and cooking in the kitchen. I loved the sense of community and feelings of accomplishment involved with community work — whether it was cleaning out the cow stalls or painting murals for the play. I also loved cooking in the kitchen because it was fun to get to know the people I was in the kitchen with, and it felt great to help provide something for the whole community.

 

What is one thing about Hershey you would like others to know?

The real power of Hershey is the community that is fostered and the compassion that it builds. I was able to care not only about the educational concepts I was learning but for the people that I was learning about as well. The designated seminar periods where everyone was encouraged to share their thoughts on a subject broadened my view on what a respectful discussion should consist of and how to listen to differing opinions. The genuine care that everyone (both the students and the guides) had for each other taught me to hold that compassion and maintain curiosity for everyone I encounter. All of these things, other than just the education, are what have really helped me as I’ve carried on in life.

 

Where is your favorite place to go?

When I’m home, I love going to Lake Erie. I love the sound of the waves and the serenity of the water.

 

We’re fortunate to be so close to the lake! So, what is your favorite thing to do?

I love to travel and experience new cultures, food, and activities. But on a day-to-day basis, I love getting outside and going on hikes with my family and friends!

 

I see the connections to nature Hershey provides has not been lost on you! Now, we know you have a mathematical mind by your chosen career path, but do you have hobbies or other specific interests?

I enjoy taking time off to do my creative hobbies like playing piano and drawing.

 

It’s great that you still make time for those creative expressions. Can you share a little-known fact about you?

My favorite bird is an indigo bunting.

 

How neat! Do you have a favorite book?

I love to read all book genres from Harry Potter to Pride and Prejudice. It’s too hard to pick!

 

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Life is available only in the present moment.” (Thic Nhat Hanh)

 

Excellent quote and reminder! What is your favorite movie?

I love a good documentary/docuseries about nature/culture/true crime, but also could re-watch any Marvel movie any day.

 

Who has made the biggest impact in your life and what does that impact look like?

My mom impacts me every day through her constant example of intentional mindfulness. It has taught me patience, compassion, and given me tools to see joy in every day.

A previous Hershey legend, Jim Ewert-Krocker, has also impacted me by providing an example of diligence and hard work. His example motivates me to place my full effort into the work that I do so I can produce results that positively affect the people around me. Using this diligence, I can be proud of myself daily because I know that I did my best at whatever task, big or small.

 

That is beautiful, Makenna. How would your friends and family describe you, and how would you describe yourself?

This is a tough one, but probably that I’m driven, creative, and loyal.

I would say that I simply care a lot about what I contribute to the world, how I do that, and who that affects. I’m motivated by personal success but mostly by achieving the big picture goals. I also place a lot of value on the creation of interpersonal connections along the way.

 

Love your intentionality. What has been your happiest moment?

Any moment spent with my friends and family outside in the sun is where I am happiest.

 

That is perfection, isn’t it?! Do you have a life lesson you would like to share with others?

It’s not only okay but is essential to take breaks. We define what productivity and success mean to ourselves and sometimes that means actually taking a moment for ourselves. Stopping to take a breath, to cook a meal, or to get outside are all investments in yourself and are just as important to personal success as completing a physical task on your to-do list.

 

Perfectly stated. Is there anything else you’d like to share or let others know?

I really would not be the person I am today without Hershey and I am constantly grateful for the experience I had there. My sense of self and desire to cultivate community can be attributed to my time there. The small daily human connections I’m encouraged to make due to my experience in the close Hershey community directly impact the prioritization and achievement of my daily and long-term goals.

 

That is such a beautiful way to wrap up our interview. We are grateful for your time and continued contributions to school and community, Makenna. We are glad to know you and admire your continued growth and success in all areas of your life. Thank you for sharing with us today. We wish you all the best!

Staff Spotlight: Doug Cornett

Staff Spotlight: Doug Cornett

Apr 18, 2022 | Featured Posts, School Blog | 0 comments

This month’s staff spotlight honors Doug Cornett. Doug is Hershey Montessori’s Upper School ELA (English Language Arts) Guide. He is in his first year at Hershey and has integrated superbly into our community. Doug is originally from Hudson, Ohio. After graduating high school, he moved to New York for awhile before going to Portland, Oregon, where he earned his MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing. Doug taught for ten years at Northwest Academy, an arts-based independent school in downtown Portland. He and his lovely wife, Anna, and their two children (both students at our Concord campus), returned to Northeast Ohio this past year to be closer to family.

Here’s our interview with Doug:

 

Thank you for your time, Doug. First, can you tell us what brought you to Hershey?

When my wife and I decided to move back to Ohio, I began searching for jobs. I saw Hershey’s job posting for an ELA guide, and as soon as I visited the website and saw pictures of the farm, I was intrigued. After having a conversation with Judy, Wes, and Paula, I knew it was a place I wanted to be.

 

It’s hard to not be drawn here, that is for certain. Share with us more about your role at Hershey and what that looks like.

I teach a blended 9-10 ELA class and a blended 11-12. At each level, students engage with a diverse range of texts from the ancient world to modern day. In any given week, we’ll have seminar discussions, play writing games, workshop essays, and create artistic responses. The students will often have a choice of which text they want to explore, so there’s a lot of variety in the class.

 

That sounds beautiful. What do you do here that you find is unique to you?

I led the Sci-Fi/Horror club this winter. I’m a big fan of the genres so it was fun to read and watch all kinds of texts with the small but dedicated student group. In our final meeting, we watched The Invasion of the Body Snatchers from 1979 — one of my favorite flicks!

 

That sounds fun! So what is your favorite part of your work here?

I like the sheer variety of my days. One minute, I’m having a discussion about literature, the next I’m cleaning out the horse stalls, and the next I’m collecting sap from a sugar maple tree. It’s unlike any other place I’ve worked. Also, I’m grateful for the relationships I have with the staff and the students.

 

So true. The relationships are a gift here. What are some of your favorite things to do?

I love writing stories, playing guitar, drumming (learning slowly but surely), seeing live jazz, hiking, and having dance parties with my family.

 

Love that! We all could enjoy even a spontaneous dance party now and then. Can you share a little known fact about you?

Writing is a huge part of my life! My debut book, a middle grade mystery called Finally, Something Mysterious, was published by Penguin Random House in 2020. The next in the series, Finally, Something Dangerous, will publish in November 2022. I’m always working on a new project.

 

Wow, that’s exciting. Congratulations to you! Do you have a favorite place to go?

Some of my favorite places: the Oregon Coast, Powell’s Books, The Rocky River Reservation, and any place that serves breakfast all day. Recently, I have really enjoyed walking through the woods on the Huntsburg campus.

 

We’ll link those places so others can check them out, too. Ok, so as an ELA Guide and an author, we want to know your favorite book!

This is a cruel question to ask an English teacher. Here are a few that come to mind: Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles; Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game; anything by Jorge Luis Borges and George Saunders; Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. There are so much more, and it kills me not to name them all.

 

I’m sure! You’re relatively new at Hershey, but to date, do you have a favorite Hershey moment?

So many great memories here already! One that sticks out is from the first day of school, when my advisory group went for a hike in the woods surrounding the school. It was a great way to get to know the land and the students, and we didn’t even get that lost!

 

Impressive! And, yes, the woods are so beautiful here. Tell us what drew you to Montessori?

First, the Montessori approach within the close-knit community was really appealing to me. The farm location was a 180-degree turn from the urban environment of my last school. Since I’ve been here, what excites me the most are my relationships with the students and the staff. There are such great people at Hershey!

 

Agreed! What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote comes from my favorite short story — “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. I think it speaks to the power of storytelling and the affirming nature of the creative act: “For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn’t any other tale to tell; it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness.”

 

That is a great quote, Doug. Do you have a favorite movie?

The Big Lebowski and There Will Be Blood.

 

Do you have a happiest moment?

My happiest moments usually occur when I’m hunched inside a blanket fort with my kids, munching quietly on a snack and getting crumbs on the carpet.

 

Love that! How would your friends and family describe you and how would you describe yourself?

My friends would say I’m easy-going, creative, rarely punctual.

I would describe myself as open-minded. I’m absolutely sure that there are ideas I haven’t encountered and perspectives I haven’t considered yet, and I’m always looking for those.

 

What is one of your biggest life lessons you can share?

Confidence and self-assurance are essential, but maybe even more important is the realization that there is always more to learn.

 

So true … finally, who has made the biggest impact in your life and what does that impact look like?

So many people have inspired and supported me. I’ve been lucky to have had some truly incredible teachers in my life at every stage. Any time I think back on some of them, I’m freshly inspired for my classes at Hershey.

 

Thank you for sharing with us, Doug. It has been a pleasure learning more about you. Congratulations on your book series. We will watch for the next release this fall. We look forward to many more years with you here at Hershey!