A method that encourages gratitude, accountability and integrity in children

By Sue Baldani

Cristina DaCruz, a social worker, and Cynthia Vanadium, a mental health clinician, met over a decade ago. They both collaborated professionally with the same goal – to protect those who cannot protect themselves: children. 

Cynthia developed a passion to provide children the security she didn’t have as a young girl. Cristina was raised in a loving family, yet witnessed the trauma others experienced and became determined to be the change in this world. 

Cristina knew Cynthia had the devotion to help others as she did and Cristina knew that Cynthia could offer the support as an educator as well. It was in graduate school at Columbia University to become a clinical psychologist that Cynthia was first exposed to the Montessori philosophy as part of Child Centered Therapy. It so intrigued her that she took additional educational courses so she could be properly trained.

When Cynthia became pregnant with her first child, the idea to open a school incorporating this philosophy began to really take root. At that time, Cynthia was running five mental health departments and working as a college professor, but she wanted a place where she could be with her child and establish a safe and secure environment for other children too.

After extensive research, Cynthia and Cristina discovered Scotch Plains Montessori. In business for many years, Cynthia and Cristina bought it in 2018. “I started my first day of the job with my six week old, and the rest is history,” Cynthia shares. 

For those who aren’t familiar with the Montessori Method, it’s all about children choosing and focusing on various learning stations such as math, science, practical life, and writing, according to their interests. “A traditional Montessori is completely self-directed, which is great, but our approach is that while we include the main areas of Montessori, we also believe in the importance of teacher-led instruction,” says Cynthia. “Most of our students go into the Scotch Plains school system, so we don’t want it to be a new experience for them to follow a lead teacher.”

Due to this blended approach, the women have developed a thorough education training approach for their team. Cynthia states, “You could have all the degrees in the world, and you could be an excellent educator, but if you don’t enjoy being with kids most hours during the day, it’s irrelevant.”

Classes are organized depending on the students’ ages, which range from infant to age 6, but they’re also tailored based on students’ inquisitive interests and social skills. Parents receive report cards that record children’s milestones and teachers’ impressions, and the lines of communication are always open. Questions and/or concerns are responded to in a timely manner.  

When it comes to safety, it isn’t all about emotion – it also includes practical measures. “We take safety to a different level,” Cynthia says. “Our instructors go through a thorough background check. Also, we require staff members to be CPR certified and retrained every year instead of the required two years.”

Scotch Plains Montessori School also offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks. “We incorporate an etiquette piece with those, where we all sit down, wait for one another, and give thanks. That’s another part of the Montessori philosophy – to ensure that you incorporate the values of gratitude, accountability and integrity.”

The reviews they receive warms their hearts. One parent remarks, “Scotch Plains Montessori is amazing. All of the staff is warm, loving, and caring.” Another comments, “The school is safe, clean and puts my mind at ease knowing that my 15-month old daughter is in their care. My now seven-year-old daughter attended preschool here and it still feels like family after all these years. The staff are still the same, which speaks for the atmosphere and support they’re given by the thoughtful and highly knowledgeable owners.”

Today, Cristina and her husband have two children, and she is the on-site co-director supporting her team and the school director. Cynthia and her husband have four children, and she is now opening another school in Texas. “We firmly believe continuing Dr. Montessori’s legacy by role-modeling behaviors of integrity and respect is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children,” she says.

ScotchPlainsMontessori.com

Written for Scotch Plains Lifestyle magazine in NJ.