About Us
Welcome to Ridgecrest Montessori Children's House!
I am pleased to welcome all families to Ridgecrest Montessori Children’s House!
We pride ourselves on being a strong and connected community that supports every child in becoming their best. Below are our Mission and Purpose, as well as our most frequently asked questions. To learn more, contact us at RidgecrestMCH@gmail.com or 760-381-6527
Mission
The Mission of the Ridgecrest Montessori Children’s House is to be a community of children, families and staff working together to create a positive and nurturing environment to support learning and personal growth.
Purpose
The purpose of the Ridgecrest Montessori Children’s House is to provide a Montessori approach to education that offers both freedom and structure, so each child may learn at his or her own pace, develop a love of learning and reach his or her maximum potential. Students cultivate independence as they take greater responsibility in caring for themselves, their peers, their classroom and the greater community.
Learn more about the Montessori Method!
This short video provides an overview of why we feel the Montessori Method is ideal for help create the citizens of tomorrow. Montessori education looks much different from traditional education, and you can get a glimpse of what that looks like for elementary students here.
Montessori is more than Pre-School!
Many people think of preschool when they hear the word Montessori. The Montessori Method is ideal for elementary age children and beyond! Here at RMCH we serve children starting in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 5, building a solid foundation for later school success.
Meet our School leadership
Ms. Abby
Ms. Motteshard
Ms. Nelson
Owner/Director
Abeer (Abby) Alhayek is the Owner and Director of RMCH. For the past thirteen years she has been a part of a Montessori environment, and is a familiar face to many in the Ridgecrest Montessori community. She taught for six years in a Montessori classroom at multiple levels, and then spent two years as a Director before open
Owner/Director
Abeer (Abby) Alhayek is the Owner and Director of RMCH. For the past thirteen years she has been a part of a Montessori environment, and is a familiar face to many in the Ridgecrest Montessori community. She taught for six years in a Montessori classroom at multiple levels, and then spent two years as a Director before opening RMCH. She is certified through NAMC in Early Childhood and Lower Elementary. She also holds a degree in business, as well as certificates in child development and administration. Montessori is one of Abby's passions because she has seen it transform the lives of her children, students, and families. She had dreamed of opening her own Montessori program for many years, and is excited to see the success that it is becoming.
Ms. Nelson
Ms. Motteshard
Ms. Nelson
Lead Elementary Teacher
Amanda Nelson is our Lead Elementary Teacher. She has been working in a Montessori elementary program for thirteen years, as a teacher for the past eleven. She's spent five years as a Lead Teacher, responsible for overseeing and supporting multiple levels of instruction. She is certified through NAMC in both Lower
Lead Elementary Teacher
Amanda Nelson is our Lead Elementary Teacher. She has been working in a Montessori elementary program for thirteen years, as a teacher for the past eleven. She's spent five years as a Lead Teacher, responsible for overseeing and supporting multiple levels of instruction. She is certified through NAMC in both Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary and has a degree in English. She appreciates the Montessori method because of the independence and self-motivation it develops in children, something she's seen firsthand in her own students as well as her own children, which gives them the foundation they need for lifelong success.
Ms. Motteshard
Ms. Motteshard
Ms. Motteshard
Lead Primary Teacher
Tammy Motteshard is our Lead Primary (TK/K) Teacher. She has been a Montessori Primary teacher for thirteen years and holds certification from NAMC in Early Childhood to teach ages 3-6, in addition to Early Childhood Education from Penn Foster College and experience in both public school and toddler programs. She is
Lead Primary Teacher
Tammy Motteshard is our Lead Primary (TK/K) Teacher. She has been a Montessori Primary teacher for thirteen years and holds certification from NAMC in Early Childhood to teach ages 3-6, in addition to Early Childhood Education from Penn Foster College and experience in both public school and toddler programs. She is known in Ridgecrest for being one of the most experienced and qualified Montessori Primary teachers, and has helped hundreds of local children over the years have the strongest start possible. Teaching Montessori brings her joy, and she knew the first time she walked into a Montessori classroom that she had found the teaching method she wanted to use for the rest of her career.