Testimonials
“Our son was fortunate to spend preschool with Maureen at Secret Garden. We were first time Montessori parents, with three older kids who attended traditional preschool. We really wish our other children had the same opportunity with Maureen–not only because he had a huge jumpstart on his reading (now the best reader in Kindergarten!), but because Maureen is such a genuine, calming, intuitive woman with the ability to make each child feel safe, loved and ready to conquer anything. Maureen became our extended family and a person Finn loves very much. Her day to day communication on his progress, and even the small victories, were appreciated and treasured. – Chris & Laura Opstedal
Having been both a teacher and a principal in Vermont elementary schools for over 30 years and a grandparent of one of Maureen’s “children” at Secret Garden Montessori School, I want to thank Maureen for the loving care she provides daily for her students. Maureen’s kindness and caring in her language and actions with students is truly so special. Her knowledge of math and language curriculum is broad and deep especially in the area of early education. I am so blessed to have our grandchild in Maureen’s classroom. Thank you Maureen for your tender care. You are so special! – Carole Pickett
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Secret Garden Montessori School 
I have known Maureen Bright for many years as a friend and as a dedicated early childhood educator. Year in and year out her classrooms radiate peace and joy and are a reflection of her unique inner beauty.
Secret Garden Montessori will be a wonderful option for parents seeking a loving learning environment for their little ones.
My love and gratitude to Maureen for her service to the children of the world.
Thirteen years ago I visited Maureen Bright’s school, Twin Pines Montessori in Livingston now The Secret Garden in Bozeman, after visiting every other option in Livingston and coming to the conclusion that we would have to take our daughter to Bozeman. I vividly remember coming home and telling my husband that I had found the perfect place for Keegan, our three year old daughter.
While Keegan was at Twin Pines I watched Maureen in action with children who had a variety of personalities and abilities. Maureen’s priority is the children. From the moment the children enter the school she welcomes them and focuses on their needs in a way that allows them to become independent thinkers and doers. There were a couple of occasions that Maureen approached things in a way that I thought was wrong, but in reality I was the one that was wrong. By the time Keegan went to public school for first grade she was able to: voice her opinion in a confident way, perform in plays in front of the whole student body, decide what was of interest to her and complete the lesson independently, think critically about situations, play independently and with others and solve interpersonal problems that happen when kids play with kids, read fluently, do basic algebra including multiplication and division. Several years later we sent our son Cole to Twin Pines. He thrived in Maureen’s environment and loved his experience at her school and left the school with the same skill set that Keegan had.
Keegan is now a junior in high school and performs in several plays a year, takes advanced courses and excels in pre-calculus and physics, is a compassionate and loving care giver to her eight year old brother and his friends, and is able to communicate with adults and her peers in a thoughtful and honest manner. Our eight years old, Cole, approaches life with an interesting perspective that is inquisitive and thoughtful. He is an avid reader, treats his friends and adults with respect and is able to interpret with all age groups with confidence. I believe that Maureen, my husband and I are responsible for giving them a set of skills that foster independence, self respect, respect of others and a work ethic that encourages them to find their interest and to delve whole heartedly into it all the while maintaining a balance in life.
Maureen Bright is special. She has a gift and has cultivated her garden. She knows what children need to thrive and is able to give it to them in a variety of ways that fosters self confidence, critical thinking, independent motivation and a deep sense of kindness and understanding that is remarkable. I feel very fortunate to have been able to share my children with her. She has changed their lives and mine.
Sincerely,
Melanie Maganias Nashan
Our daughter, Emma, attended Twin Pines Montessori for approximately two years. We found Maureen to be an exceptionally gifted and dedicated teacher who brought out the best in all her students, including Emma.
Maureen is completely dedicated to her students. This includes unflagging hard work during school hours, but also frequent thoughtful gestures outside the classroom such as home visits, cards sent in the mail, etc.
Maureen’s leadership in the classroom creates an orderly, calm, and safe environment for children to learn. Our daughter left Twin Pines with a wonderful grounding in reading, math, geography, and the arts. Maureen’s students have a true understanding of the material she teaches – it is not learned by rote memorization. This depth of understanding has given Emma (and many other children we have known) the ability to excel academically.
But Maureen’s teaching skills go well beyond mere academics. Maureen treats each student as an individual, and builds on the strengths she perceives in each student’s character. Through her knowledge of and engagement with the children, Maureen is able to turn out students with a high degree of inner strength. Maureen’s students believe in themselves in a deep and honest way that serves them well as they advance into primary school.
Maureen nurtures each student’s physical and emotional development. Physically, she emphasizes classroom and outdoor activities that promote good health, nutrition, and the joy of play. Emotionally, she lives by the credo, “teach me to do it all by myself”. She allows kids to be kids, but also gives them the tools they need to develop and mature, according to each child’s timetable.
In summary, Maureen is a complete teacher who addresses the complete needs of a developing child. She truly nurtures children from the inside out.
Even when I moved an hour away I continued to bring my son, now 10, to her school. The gift of working with our children is cherished, nurtured, loved, encouraged and propelled forward by Maureen with the utmost grace, kindness and patience. Honestly, no parent should miss the experience. My daughter who is 5 had the great fortune to spend this past summer with her. She gained a new dimension of personal, emotional and intellectual growth that is irreplaceable.