Celebrating Our First Year of Montessori Education in Temple, Texas

🌱 Our Story: Planting the Seeds

The journey of The Willow School began with a dream shared by Taylore Oldfield-Jackson and Kyah Spence. For over a year, they searched for the perfect space—a place that would reflect the warmth, purpose, and wonder of Montessori learning. That search led them to a 1950s church building full of charm and potential. With vision and determination, they transformed that historic structure into a nurturing, child-centered learning environment full of light, life, and discovery.

🎉 Celebrating Our First Year

May 13th marks one full year since we first opened our doors—and what a year it has been! From those very first moments of welcoming families into our newly renovated space, to watching our students grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity, our first year has been filled with joy, learning, and countless milestones.

Highlights from our inaugural year include:

• The launch of our first Montessori classrooms serving early childhood

• Hosting family connection events and Montessori parent education nights

• Developing a rich curriculum rooted in hands-on learning, practical life skills, and social-emotional development

• Building a diverse and inclusive school community where every child is known and celebrated

• Taking our first steps toward AMS accreditation, solidifying our commitment to excellence

Every day, we’ve witnessed the power of Montessori education to unlock a child’s natural love for learning—and it’s only the beginning.

👩‍🏫 The People Behind the Vision

Founders Taylore Oldfield-Jackson and Kyah Spence bring together years of experience and a shared belief that education should nourish the whole child. Their leadership has created a culture of warmth, trust, and innovation that sets The Willow School apart. Under their guidance, the school continues to grow, evolve, and serve more families in the Central Texas region.

 🌎 Our Montessori Commitment

As a proud member of the American Montessori Society (AMS), we’re actively working toward full certification, ensuring our practices meet the highest standards of Montessori education. Our team is dedicated to:

• Creating beautiful, intentional learning environments

• Honoring the individual path of each student

• Promoting peace education, empathy, and global awareness

• Encouraging creativity, resilience, and purposeful learning

💬 Our Mission & Vision

Mission:To cultivate holistic development, critical thinking, and practical life skills through the principles of Montessori education. We strive to enable students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally—and to positively impact their communities and the world.

Vision:We envision a world where every individual, like the graceful willow tree, stands tall, embraces their inner strength, and flourishes in the face of challenges. We aspire to nurture a generation of resilient, compassionate, and independent thinkers who are ready to lead with empathy and courage.

📍 Year Two

As we celebrate our first year, we look ahead with excitement and purpose. We are excited to invite you to join us in our second year of growth and exploration, with the following goals in mind:

1. 🌱 Continue Building a Strong Family Community

We believe that a thriving school is rooted in meaningful relationships with families. In Year 2, we will:

• Host regular Family Engagement Events, including workshops, celebrations, and classroom observations

• Provide parent education nights to deepen understanding of Montessori principles

• Cultivate open, two-way communication between staff and families to ensure every voice is heard

• Encourage volunteerism and active participation in school life

2. 🧩 Strengthen and Support Our PTO

Our Parent-Teacher Organization plays a vital role in building school spirit and enhancing the experience for every child. This year, we will:

• Continue to collaborate with PTO leadership to plan events, fundraisers, and service projects

• Encourage new parent involvement and leadership opportunities

3. ⭐ Qualify as a Four-Star Texas Rising Star Provider

Excellence in early childhood education matters. In Year 2, we are focused on earning a Four-Star rating—the highest possible—through the Texas Rising Star program by:

• Meeting and exceeding quality benchmarks in classroom environment, curriculum, and teacher qualifications

• Documenting and demonstrating progress through continuous assessment and professional development

• Strengthening administrative practices and family engagement efforts aligned with TRS standards

• Investing in ongoing staff training and mentoring to support excellence in instruction

4. 🌎 Continue Our AMS Path and Montessori Authenticity

As we progress toward full AMS accreditation, we remain committed to:

• Maintaining authentic Montessori materials and mixed-age classrooms

• Supporting continued Montessori certification for our educators

• Upholding the principles of respect, independence, and child-led exploration in every classroom

• Regularly reflecting on and refining our practices to meet AMS standards

5. 🌈 Grow With Purpose

We are excited to welcome new families and potentially expand our programs thoughtfully and sustainably. To do this, we will:

• Ensure all growth supports our mission, quality, and sense of community

• Continue to beautify and improve our renovated space

We are so proud of what we’ve built together in our first year, and we’re excited for what lies ahead. Thank you to our families, staff, and community for your continued trust, partnership, and love.

Together, we grow—rooted like the willow, and reaching toward the future.