CAMDEN — The Children’s House Montessori School welcomes three new staff members at the historic schoolhouse at 58 Elm Street in Camden.

Julia Aroneau is a new Co-Lead Teacher in the Red Door Toddler Classroom. Aroneau grew up in Camden and attended Children's House Montessori in its original location on Pearl Street in the early ‘90s, where she met many of her best friends that she still has today. She went on to attend Sonoma State University in Northern California, where she received a bachelor’s degree in American Multicultural Studies with a minor in Chicano and Latino Studies. With seven years of experience as a Co-Lead Teacher for preschoolers in Seattle and working at Children’s House’s popular summer camp, Aroneau is looking forward to her new role co-leading the toddler classroom.

Neshamah Stearns joins Aroneau as a new Co-Lead Teacher in the Red Door Toddler Classroom. Stearns holds a dual B.S. in Adventure-Based Environmental Education and Adventure Therapy, with a specific passion for nature- and place-based education. An avid sea kayaker, Stearns worked as Lead Educator for the Chewonki Foundation’s Outdoor Classroom and Expedition Leader/Coordinator for its summer Leadership Expeditions before joining Children’s House as the Red Door assistant and camp coordinator last year. She is excited to expand on Children’s House’s nature-based offerings and to honor Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy to care for each other, the environment, and the world. 

Sarah Sevier is Children’s House’s new Art Teacher, Extended Day/Aftercare Lead Teacher, and Outreach Coordinator. Sevier has a BFA in Art Education from Georgia State University, a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Loyola University, and her AMI Primary Montessori certificate from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta. She spent eight years as a primary lead teacher at schools in New Jersey, New York City, and Atlanta, and has taught elementary school art in Atlanta for the past five years. Sevier, her husband, and their two children relocated to midcoast Maine this summer. She is thrilled to combine her love and knowledge of art education with the Montessori philosophy.

“We are thrilled to welcome these three gifted educators,” said Rachel Nixon, Head of School, in a news release. “Julia, Neshamah and Sarah each bring a warmth and spark that lights up our Montessori programs here at the schoolhouse.”

Founded in 1979, Children's House Montessori inspires a lifelong love of learning in children ages 18 months to 10 years old in Midcoast Maine. The school’s mission is to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in young learners, while nurturing a sense of care for each other, the environment, and the world. Children’s House provides school-year programs, including before- and after-school care, as well as popular summer camps. Guided by Dr. Maria Montessori's pioneering philosophy, teachers offer carefully designed, multi-age classrooms and nature-based opportunities where children master skills at their own pace and grow toward independence in a cooperative environment. Students receive the love, support, and guidance they need to thrive. 

Based in downtown Camden, Children's House honors the values of respect, inclusion, lifelong learning, community, and sustainability. The school provides financial aid, and partners with the Child Care Affordability Program, to ensure that Montessori programs are available to all families who wish to enroll their children. For more information, visit www.camdenmontessori.org.