Community resources

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Whiting Woods Montessori warmly welcomes volunteers from our local community, including high school and college students interested in gaining meaningful experience in early childhood education. 

Volunteering with us is a wonderful opportunity to earn service hours, strengthen résumés and college applications, and make a positive impact in the lives of young children within a calm, nurturing Montessori environment.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and willing to provide proof of a recent TB test, TDaP vaccination, and a valid form of identification, if applicable. 

We are looking for kind, dependable, and enthusiastic individuals who genuinely enjoy working with children and value curiosity, patience, and respectful learning.

Under the guidance of Rebecca Applegate, owner and lead Montessori educator, volunteers gain hands-on experience supporting children’s independence, observing authentic Montessori practices, and contributing to a thoughtfully prepared classroom community rooted in connection, care, and growth.

Whiting Woods Montessori welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds who are passionate about working with young children and supporting respectful, child-centered education. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment and strongly encourage BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.

We value educators who hold a Montessori credential as well as those who are eager to learn more about Montessori philosophy and practices. 

Ideal candidates demonstrate warmth, patience, professionalism, and a genuine passion for Early Childhood Education and Child Development. 

Applicants should feel comfortable working with children between 18 months and 6 years of age within a collaborative, nurturing classroom environment.

At Whiting Woods Montessori, we believe meaningful early childhood education begins with strong relationships, thoughtful guidance, and a calm, prepared environment. 

We are seeking individuals who value curiosity, creativity, kindness, and lifelong learning, and who are excited to contribute to a small school community centered around connection, respect, and the joy of learning alongside children.

At Whiting Woods Montessori, we strive to nurture a lifelong love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls. 

Through hands-on experiences, meaningful relationships, and a thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment, children are encouraged to grow into confident, curious, and compassionate individuals who approach the world with independence and wonder.

Our goal is not only to support academic readiness, but to help children develop the social-emotional skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence that will continue to guide them throughout their educational journey. 

We value creating a calm, connected environment where children feel safe to explore, ask questions, take risks, and discover the joy of learning at their own pace.

Many children remain at Whiting Woods Montessori through their Kindergarten years, and some continue with us afterward in our After-School Program, allowing families to maintain a sense of consistency, connection, and community during the early elementary years.

 We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the paths they continue on after leaving our program.

Past Whiting Woods Montessori students have gone on to attend a variety of local schools, including public schools, private schools, charter schools, and home education.

Neurodivergent Families of the Foothills is a community-centered group created to connect, support, and uplift neurodivergent children, adults, and the families who love them throughout the foothill communities and surrounding areas. 

The group was built from the belief that every family deserves meaningful connection, understanding, acceptance, and a place where they feel truly welcomed.

Throughout the year, we host a variety of events including park play dates, nature walks, art in the park, coffee meetups, seasonal celebrations, parent nights out, and sensory-considerate community activities that encourage connection in a relaxed and compassionate environment.

We strive to create spaces where children can participate in ways that feel comfortable and safe for them while caregivers are able to connect with others who understand both the joys and challenges of raising neurodivergent children.

In addition to community events, the group also serves as a growing resource for local families seeking inclusive activities, recommendations, encouragement, and opportunities for belonging within the community. 

Our hope is to create bridges between neurodivergent and neurotypical families while promoting kindness, empathy, accessibility, and true inclusion for all.

Whether you are newly navigating a diagnosis, searching for supportive friendships, or simply hoping to find a welcoming community where your family can feel seen and understood, Neurodivergent Families of the Foothills is here to remind you that you are not alone.