Today we’d like to introduce you to Oana Tatu.
Oana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In a whirlwind of events, about 3 years ago my husband and I decided to open a Montessori school, and started the treacherous process of getting permits after permits, passing inspections after inspections, and then some more permits. It was a difficult but beautiful journey, and we both learned a lot.
Myself, more than anyone, having an abrupt switch of career: from a lifelong freelancing musician, to a Montessori teacher and school leader. Once I decided to walk this new path, my eyes opened as I was getting my training and internship done, and I felt like I was finally starting to understand the wondrous mysteries unfolding in a child, in his most important, formative years. It’s been a life changing, eye opening experience ever since the start, and I can say that it reshaped me not only as an educator, but also as a parent and as a person. It is a transformation that doesn’t seem to end, and I am enjoying every bit of it.
There have been endless debates over each aspect, no matter how seemingly unimportant – at first only with my husband, and later also with our wonderful, dedicated team. We managed to bring together our creativity and love for Montessori, and designed a beautiful environment for young children, to serve both their natural desire to explore and learn, but also their need for movement in a spacious, safe and private outdoor area. This summer our children have been enjoying being outside everyday, spotting bunnies and butterflies, planting flowers and vegetables, taking care of their garden, or squealing with delight while splashing with water on hot days.
As with anything, there is always space for improvement and our dreams haven’t reached a stop once we opened our doors to the children. There will be additions to the outdoor space by next summer, all for the use and enjoyment of our little friends, who discover the wonders of life and show us how to re-discover them ourselves, each day.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We remodeled the entire building to suit the needs of a school. Getting all required permits, putting together all the documentation needed, was hellish. It took much longer than planned or expected, but we met some wonderful people in the process, who work very hard trying to help small entrepreneurs like us.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Casa dei Bambini Montessori of Mayfair story. Tell us more about the business.
Our school is a home for children, as described in the name and intended by Maria Montessori herself when she inaugurated her first Casa dei Bambini in Rome, Italy, at the beginning of last century. Our lead teachers are certified by the American Montessori Society and we are trying to implement the Montessori ideology in everything we do: when preparing classroom works, when planning extracurricular activities for children, when designing the outdoor and indoor space, just to give a few examples.
Currently we are certified for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years old, but in the future we are looking to extend beyond those ages, on both ends.
We are very happy to offer our children the opportunity to be outside in a beautiful area, where they can freely run and play, but also explore and care for nature, as they wish.
The 7,000 square feet outdoor area is a rare feature to find in an urban school, but much needed at this time in a child’s life, when physical movement is a major developmental need.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel that I’ve been a lucky person throughout my life, especially when I let things happen naturally. That doesn’t mean avoiding the hard work, but rather not pushing too hard, or stressing out about the outcome.
I believe that things happen for a reason, that in life you will meet the right people at the right time and with this project that’s what seems to have happened. Best instance coming to mind is meeting Mrs. Patricia Bross, our pre-primary directress (2-3 teacher), who brought her wisdom and Montessorian heart to guide us when we might “stray” from the authentic path. She is the voice within which makes us think twice before acting, and through her graceful presence and infinite kindness reminds us without words to rekindle the Montessori light inside us. We were meant to meet and bring Casa dei Bambini Montessori to life, together.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4967 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL, 60630
- Website: casamontessori2016.com
- Phone: 773-283-7474
- Email: casamontessori2016@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Montessori.2016/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casa-dei-bambini-montessori-of-mayfair-chicago
Image Credit:
Oana Tatu
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