Our school is open to local and international families residing in Moscow. When opening our school we have studied best practices of Montessori education available worldwide. We are convinced that each family is entitled to getting the same high standard of Montessori education, no matter if they need to relocate to Moscow, New York City, Tokyo, or elsewhere. We are aware of the challenges faced by international families relocating to Moscow and will go an extra mile to facilitate this transition. Our staff, both international and local, are all fluent in English. To our families, we offer bilingual Montessori environment where children learn to communicate in both English and Russian, while their parents will always get first hand recommendations regarding their children's development in the language that they prefer.

Susan Stephenson, who has been contributing to MSM as school consultant since our first year, has visited us again in October 2011. Her feedback is quoted below:

"Although the school was well on its way in 2010, it is remarkable to see the progress that has taken place in only 18 months! Having a separate entrance into the Parent Infant class, the Infant Community, and Casa dei Bambini, helps children feel that they are indeed entering a space that has been created just for them, a real "children's house". One seldom sees this at even the best schools in other countries. The windows and views of the trees and the sky created an important view of nature, and the classroom spaces, the wonderful teachers and assistants are a model of excellence." 

The Montessori approach recognizes that a child is more responsive to certain learning experiences at particular times or “sensitive periods.” Our staff have a deep understanding of child psychology, physiology and developmental planes. In our work, we ensure that each child is approached individually without interrupting their chosen workcycles and with respect to their genuine needs and interests and with the well-being of the group in mind. We partner with parents to provide the most positive learning and living experience to each child.

We respect family diets and each child's medical limitations thus no lunch is offered by the school. Children bring their own lunch boxes and sit down for lunch at the communal table. Snacks are provided by the school at any time.

This map highlights the coutries represented in our community. We have Russian, international and bilingual children in our classrooms. We highly appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions represented in our community and take great pride in it.

Valentina Zaytseva
Founder

After a few years in international business consulting, Valentina is focusing on education management. She graduated from Moscow State University in Russia and has a Master's degree from Tufts University in the USA. Before starting the school, Valentina travelled to the United States to visit schools accredited by Association Montessori Internationale and American Montessori Society. In 2010 Valentina went through the Whole School Management training under David Kahn, the Executive Director of North American Montessori Teachers Association.

Joanne King
Curriculum Director, Head of 3-6 Program (Casa dei Bambini)

Joanne has a strong background in international Montessori education. A British citizen, she has lived and worked in Thailand, Japan and India before coming to Russia in 2009. Joanne has solid experience of working in multicultural classrooms and knows how to work effectively with children whose native language is not English. With 14 years of teaching experience, Joanne has obtained her 0-3 certification from North American Montessori Centre and holds her 3-6 and 6-12 diplomas from Association Montessori Internationale. This unique qualification is a true asset to our school. Joanne helped Valentina start Montessori School of Moscow and launch all of our programs in line with the AMI standard. Besides directing a class of 25 children, Joanne oversees our 3-6 program and is a key cotributor to MSM's strategic planning.

Eleonora Galyuk
Head of 0-3 Program

Eleonora has studied in Russia, United States and Japan. In addition to her native Russian skills, she speaks fluent English and Japanese. Before her employment with us, Eleonora was working at an international school and in the corporate world. Eleonora leads our Toddler Community and oversees our work with parents who come to class with their children aged 2 to 12 months. Eleonora also conducts workshops for parents-to-be. Eleonora is qualified by Association Montessori Internationale to work with children under 3 years of age and their families. She holds her Assistants to Infancy diploma from The Montessori Institute of Denver, where she trained under Judi Orion, one of the best trainers in the world, after being recommended for a 0-3 course by Susan Stephenson, our consultant.

Maria Dobroradova
Assistant

Student of International Academy for Business and Management, fluent in English and an avid musician (singer). Maria supports Joanne in Casa dei Bambini.

Yana Knignitskaya
Consultant

Yana joined Montessori School of Moscow at its inception and since has taken part in launching all of our programs. At the moment Yana is hosting our Parent Infant Class for parents with babies aged between 2 and 12 months. She also supports Eleonora in various other aspects of our 0-3 program. Yana is a graduate of Higher School of Economics. In addition to her native Russian and fluent English skills, she speaks Ukrainian.