Meet the Team: Olyvia

We'd like to continue to introduce ourselves-- the team behind Goldenrod! Here is a Q&A with Olyvia Kuchta, one of our co-lead infant & toddler teachers.

How did you find Montessori?

I was searching for part-time work after completing graduate school in psychology. I had previously worked in traditional daycare settings, but I had never experienced Montessori. When I moved to Madison, I began work as a Montessori Assistant and this was my first introduction to Montessori. As soon as I was introduced to the philosophy, I was hooked! I believe Montessori is for every child and this introduction shaped the way I approach the world around me in my own life as well. As I became a parent, it really became a lifestyle for us. Now, I can’t believe there was ever a time I didn’t know about Montessori.

Can you share with us about your background in Montessori Education?

This will be my 8th year within a Montessori classroom setting. I have my paraprofessional certificate in Montessori birth to three and will soon be pursuing credentials in birth to three. I have been in child care education for 12 years and The Wisconsin Registry career model includes 17 distinct levels that recognize education, training, and experience for early childhood and after-school professionals, I am currently at a level 14.

What is it about the age group you work with that really resonates with you?

I love working with infants and toddlers. They are so often a misunderstood age group and I believe the experiences we have during this time period are the foundation for who we will become.

What’s one of your favorite subjects to learn about with students?

Infants and toddlers love practical life and self-care. I love teaching them about how to care for themselves. Whether that is through providing a classroom environment for an infant to move their body effortlessly, or teaching a toddler to toilet independently, I love supporting their independence. When a child can attend to their own needs, they can then move about their environment more productively and then learn to care for others and the environment as well because they know how good it feels to be taken care of as well. This provides the scaffolding for further self-discovery and a pathway to becoming compassionate stewards of our communities.

Can you share a favorite memory from the classroom?

Infants and toddlers are constantly changing and ever expanding. So much can change in a short amount of time and that continues to be my favorite part of teaching. I can see how the things I teach have a direct influence and impact on the children in my classroom—so much so that they even repeat words and phrases that I use. I love when toddlers learn to say “I need space!” instead of pushing a friend, when they learn to pour their own milk, when babies learn to sign that they need milk or learn to crawl over to the diapering area when they are wet. Infants and toddlers are truly amazing and often know more and can do more than we often think they can!

What is something unexpected about the process of opening a school?

The most unexpected thing about the process of opening a school has been how much our community loves and supports us. As a non-profit, we rely so much on the support of our families and surrounding communities that it has been incredibly rewarding to see how much our support networks believe in us. People have been so generous to us and have welcomed us and recommended us into their own communities as well providing an interwoven and connected sense of collective fellowship. It has been a much welcomed surprise to see how much people really support us and believe in us.

When you’re not in the classroom, what are you most likely to be doing?

Spending time with my daughter Abby Lou! We love spending time in nature, going to plant stores, attending craft sales, gardening, and hanging out with family (including our pets) and friends!