Laura Delgado
I am an NAMC certified 0-3 Montessori guide with over twenty years of experience working with children and their families. I’m currently the owner of The Montessori Tree and run a home-based toddler program called The Nest. I am also a mother of one, though I’ve helped “raise” more children than I can count! Before becoming a mother, I received a BA in English and Masters in Educational Psychology. I’m passionate about intentional living, conscious parenting and uplifting others through my work and my words. I currently live in south Austin with my husband James and daughter Frances, who are a significant part of The Montessori Tree dream team.
I am a proud member of the Outdoor Classroom Circle community! Outdoor Classrooms, led by Victoria Hackett, has been instrumental in supporting my growth as an outdoor educator. This program is valuable for anyone seeking to create or enrich their own outdoor program; reach out to learn how you too can become a member!
The Montessori Tree
The seed for The Montessori Tree was planted in 2011 when my co-teacher, Amber Carro, and I discovered a mutual passion for nurturing the spirit of the young child and, for years, we dreamed about a program of our own. In late 2017, we put our dreams on paper, and it was then that The Montessori Tree began to grow roots.
We settled on the name “The Montessori Tree” for two reasons. First, Amber and I shared a number of passions, but we knew that, no matter what direction our business would take, our work would always be guided by the Montessori philosophy of respect. Secondly, we wanted to leave ourselves room to grow as guides, as mothers and as entrepreneurs. We set out to nurture the soil of our little tree and trusted that the branches of our business would reveal themselves naturally over time.
In 2019, we officially launched The Nest, our toddler program, and were thrilled to witness our roots grow stronger as our community grew. Then, we were hit with the pandemic. Following, Amber and her family moved to New York. At the time, I wrestled with a number of questions related to my work. I realized pretty quickly that, while facing an unknown future, I remained certain of my desire to serve the young child. I focused my efforts on The Nest, and after being compelled to move my program outdoors on account of Covid, I discovered a new passion for nature-based education. The Montessori philosophy of respect for self and the environment lent itself well to the outdoor classroom, and it seems rather obvious now that The Montessori Tree was meant to take root outdoors.
Today I continue to explore ways in which I can serve parents as well as children. I believe parenthood is the most important and challenging job on Earth and also recognize the need for building strong support systems within our community to support and empower parents on the parenthood journey. All the being said, I am eager to see what branches will emerge for The Montessori Tree in the coming months and years!
Our Logo
We realized early on that our interests were truly diverse, but these “branches” were all rooted in deeply-seated shared values, including respect, a cornerstone of the Montessori philosophy. It was then that our little tree began to take root! There was no one better to bring this vision to life than our dear friend, Montessorian, and talented artist, Heather Sundquist. You can view more of her work at goldenhourprints.com or follow her on IG @heathersundquisthall.