Faculty & Staff
Marnie Stromseth
Primary Program Director
Montessori Education has been a part of my life for more than 25 years. For the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of spending my time in a classroom as a Lead Teacher at Bellevue Montessori School. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and certifications for both Primary (MACTE) and Lower Elementary Montessori Education (AMS). Both of my grown children attended the Bellevue Montessori Primary and Elementary Programs.
I have always been interested in the learning and development of people of all ages. Long before my awareness of Montessori Education, I spent time working and teaching seniors, children, and people with special needs in different settings including therapeutic recreation and a remote wilderness area.
I value that Montessori Education strives to educate all children to their fullest potential. This includes the child’s whole development: cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and inner spirit. I love that Montessori Education works to develop children’s self-awareness as well as awareness and appreciation of other people, the surrounding environment, and the greater world they live in. I value Dr. Maria Montessori’s visions and implementations of Peace and Cosmic Education - That all things are interconnected and each has a purpose to contribute to all.
As the EC/K Program Director, I work with a team to support our Montessori learning environments to offer a warm, nurturing, and authentic Montessori experience to our students. We have a wonderful group of teachers who focus their efforts on each one of our individual children. It is a privilege to support the teachers who support the children.
A few personal things that I especially enjoy - To step into any of our classrooms and spend time observing children as they go about their activities. To step outdoors into the natural world of plants, soil, birds, wind… To spend time with my family. To curl up in a chair and read at home. To continue to learn new things.