The Baan Dek Montessori.
The Baan Dek Montessori was established by Bobby and June George and is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school aims to offer an authentic Montessori education based on the principles of Maria Montessori. The Baan Dek Montessori is a fully recognized Associated Montessori International school in the State of South Dakota. We are also accredited by the state of South Dakota to teach Kindergarten.
The Baan Dek History.
The original Casa dei Bambini, or Children's House, opened January 6, 1907. In keeping to tradition, The Baan Dek Montessori is named after this school. 'Baan Dek' is Thai for 'Children's House'. The Baan Dek Montessori opened September 5, 2007, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and soon there after become the first accredited Association Montessori International in the history of the state.
Montessori Philosophy.
At The Baan Dek Montessori each child is encouraged to develop at their own pace. In a specially designed learning environment, the materials are carefully prepared and displayed for the children. Each child is thereby free to choose their own activities. Each activity that is undertaken is complete in itself and relates to the other activities that cover physical, social and intellectual aspects of the development of the child. Children often concentrate for long periods of time, working individually or spontaneously with a group of friends.
Classroom Options.
The Baan Dek Montessori offers two classroom options for our five day a week primary Montessori school. 1) Full-Day Montessori is available from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 2) Half-Day Montessori from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Before and after care is also available upon request, from 7:30 a.m - 6:00 p.m. There are plans to open up a Toddler and Elementary Montessori school in the near future. We welcome you to schedule an appointment to learn more about the Montessori approach to early childhood education.
About June George.
June George was born in Thailand in 1978. She graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a major in Early Childhood Education and thereupon pursued her Master’s in Educational Studies from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. Upon graduation, June continued her education to obtain an Association Montessori Internationale Diploma from the Maria Montessori Training Organization in London. June George founded The Baan Dek Montessori in 2007.
June's Interests.
June has a number of personal interests, which include: art, architecture, education, film, literature and photography. Apart from being a Montessori director, she is currently working on a number of Montessori related projects, including 1) translating Maria Montessori’s oeuvre into Thai 2) and collaborating with Bobby on a Montessori book, tentatively entitled “Educating Life Forever”. June is an active member in the Association Montessori Internationale.
About Bobby George.
Bobby George is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Philosophy at Kingston University London. His dissertation is entitled 'Arakawa and Gins: Philosophers of Life'. Most recently, he has been on leave in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where, with his wife June, he has founded The Baan Dek Montessori. Bobby is also actively working on bringing a new awareness to Montessori, with June Books.
Bobby and June George.
Bobby and June George established The Baan Dek Montessori out of a desire to transform the importance of early childhood education in the city of Sioux Falls and in order to introduce an authentic Montessori experience to the community, one in line with the revolution in education that Montessori enacted. Bobby and June met while students at The University of Warwick.
Meet Charlotte Wood.
Charlotte grew up on the central coast of California, where she attended a Montessori school through the Elementary program at age 12. She attended San Diego State University, where she began her Bachelor of Arts work in Music, changing to Religious Studies her Junior year. After graduating in May 2008, Charlotte moved to Portland, Oregon, and took the AMI Primary course at Montessori Institute Northwest, obtaining her Masters of Education degree from Loyola University Maryland in conjunction with coursework completed at MINW.
Background and Interests.
As a former Montessori student herself, Charlotte has worked at an international Montessori school in Germany, and in the public Montessori program in Milwaukee. With a wealth of diverse experience, Charlotte loves working with children and families, and rejoices in the Montessori method of education. Her interests are just as myriad as her background. Charlotte is an avid knitter and singer, and has been trained in opera and jazz. While she says that she is beyond thrilled to be joining Baan Dek, we're absolutely elated to have her join us.
Meet Angharad Picton.
Angharad grew up in a small seaside town in Wales, United Kingdom. Angharad has travelled and lived in several different countries such as Australia, Egypt, Canada, US. It was in Egypt that Angharad discovered Montessori Education and decided to return to the UK to study the method in its entirety and went on to receive her AMI Montessori Internationale Diploma at the Maria Montessori Training Organization in London.
Background and Interests.
Angharad’s personal interests and hobbies reflect her life passions and desires. Angharad loves spending time with her little girl, enjoys the great outdoors, camping, golf, permaculture, travel, reading, exercising, loves meeting new people and is always open-minded to learning more. Angharad is very excited to be part of The Ban Dek Montessori vision and an active member and contributor of the Sioux Falls community.
Meet Hadar Maltai.
Hadar was born in Kurdistan in 1974, where she completed her education. Upon graduation, she moved to Turkey and met her future husband. Together, they moved to the United States in 1992. Hadar has a 19 year old daughter and a 17 year old son. I know, we can't believe it either! Her interest has always been in helping children, following their interests, and inspiring and supporting their ability to learn. We're so happy to have her as a part of our community. We believe in her, as much as she believes in the children. We expect many wonderful things from Hadar.
Background and Interests.
Hadar is currently an assistant at Baan Dek. Within the next few years, she plans to complete her Association Montessori International training and become a primary directress. With that in mind, in her current position as an assistant in the classroom, she embodies the Montessori approach to education. She lives and breathes to help children learn how to better help themselves. Hadar joined Baan Dek in 2010, and will hopefully continue for many, many years to come. She is an integral part to our school. Hadar loves to cook, knit, shop and is an avid reader.
Meet Ashley Lindquist.
Ashley Lindquist is originally from Lansing, Michigan. As a child, she attended Montessori school. Ashley completed her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music and Theater from Vaparaiso University. After graduation, she worked at a private school as the after school care coordinator for preschool through 6th grade students and morning preschool teacher for students ages 3-5. Ashley is married to Dan Lindquist, a native of Sioux Falls. They met at college and he said that he wanted to return to live in Sioux Falls one day, so after 8 years in Indiana they have come back to make Sioux Falls home.
Background and Interests.
Ashley has many interests. She's interested in outdoor activities and doing arts and crafts. She also has a penchant for learning how to cook, and wants a big vegetable garden. In her spare time, she enjoys attending the South Dakota Symphony, and other musical events in town. We're so happy to have Ashley. Her energy and compassion are contagious. We knew it the moment we met her. Here's Ashley: "I have a passion to work with children and families and think Baan Dek is the perfect place for me to do this here in Sioux Falls. I am excited about the direction that Baan Dek is going and am excited to be a part of it."
Do you have any questions about us?
√ The Baan Dek Montessori opened in 2007.
√ We're the first and only accredited AMI school in the state of South Dakota.
√ We're also accredited by the state of South Dakota to teach Kindergarten.
√ Any more questions about us? Contact us.
