Johanna Porter

About Johanna Porter

Johanna learned about Montessori in 1997, in Seattle, while searching for a pre-school for her oldest daughter. Before the school year was over, she had enrolled in Montessori Teacher training. “I was in awe,” said Porter. “For me, it was a new approach to education.” Today, what fascinates her most is the peace, calm, and beauty that the Montessori environment provides for the children. The emphasis on the development of respect and understanding for other human beings is the foundation for the loving and peaceful atmosphere. She began working at Montessori Tides in the fall of 1999, enrolling all three of her children. In her spare time she likes to be home with her family, cooking, and keeping things organized. Her yoga practice keeps her flexible; singing, dancing, and sewing keep her smiling.

April 20, 2021

Toddlers & the present moment

Time with toddlers always seems to fly. They make such leaps and bounds in all areas of their development all the time, and they even seem to grow taller before your eyes. I love all of the conversations we're having every day and the emerging speech of the youngest ones. Toddlers require us … [Read more...]

February 15, 2021

Hearts, ladybugs fill toddler room

February is here, and hearts are everywhere. The toddlers have been loving the new activities, such as transfer and posting, gluing, painting, stickers and window clings. Mid-February, the theme is going to change to ladybugs, and we'll have live ladybugs to view in a jar. If your child wants … [Read more...]

January 20, 2021

Toddlers learn about winter, weather

We hope you all had an exciting holiday break with lots of family time and rest (as much as is possible while parenting your ever-exploring toddlers). This January, our themes are stars, snowmen, polar animals, children of the world and weather. We'll glue and paint stars, use star cookie … [Read more...]

November 5, 2020

November brings harvest theme

November is here! We closed out October with seasonal mask gluing, after cats, bats and pumpkins. We carved our pumpkin after weeks of scrubbing it. We scooped out the pumpkin seeds, baked them and ate them. Surprisingly, everyone asked for more! Over the next few days, October-themed … [Read more...]

October 6, 2020

Toddlers begin year on the farm

We're several weeks into the school year, and, even though we’ve had a couple of new students start recently, the days have been running smoothly! From the first day, returning students quickly got back into the daily rhythms of school. The new students soon were anticipating all of the routines, … [Read more...]

February 21, 2020

Toddlers work with hearts, peeling

February’s themes are all about heart shapes (and other shapes). We have hearts to glue, post, transfer, paint, hold, and sing about. Mid-February, the theme will change to everything ladybug. Eggs and tangerines We also have been peeling eggs and tangerines as a daily work choice. Those two … [Read more...]

January 24, 2020

Winter themes abound in toddler room

January offers many themes: “Children of the World” (activities explained below), weather, snow and things that go with snow, such as mittens, polar animals, snowflakes, snowmen, and fake snow in the sensory bin. We have books about polar bears, and one that gives the Spanish verbs for what polar … [Read more...]

December 17, 2019

Toddlers learn about holiday traditions

We seem to be flying through December! Perhaps it's not only because December has just a few weeks of school, but perhaps also because the classroom has become well-established. Routines are almost effortless, and children are meeting the high expectations we have of each child at his or her … [Read more...]

November 6, 2019

Bracelets, handwashing are popular

November has arrived, and, finally, some cooler weather. Some Florida trees are finally shedding their leaves, creating a perfect fall theme of leaves, squirrels, and turkeys. With the national Thanksgiving holiday in mind, we will explore foods through cards and matching and stories. We also … [Read more...]

October 9, 2019

Fall sweeps into toddler classroom

October is here, and wild animals are about to be exchanged for pumpkins, bats, hats, cats, spiders, the color orange and the number 2. Every year when October comes around, and I see what's in the box, I get excited. The work is perfect for fall, and it sets a nice stage for things that are related … [Read more...]