Mission & Belief

Mission
We will prepare a safe and nurturing Montessori environment while maintaining South Dakota Department of Education accreditation. Our classroom community, including our families, will be one where mutual respect and empathy are modeled and respected. We will meet all students at their individual developmental level and inspire them each day to reach their full potential – socially, physically, academically, and spiritually. We will encourage them to challenge themselves by highlighting their individual successes and assisting them as they refine their areas of difficulty. We will advocate for their individual and collective rights. Our classroom will be a joyful place where children can develop relationships and build self-confidence. Intrinsic gratification and pride in their accomplishments will be their motivation as they develop the love of learning. We will strive to make every day an excellent day for each student.

Belief Statement
Our belief statement articulates the basic tenet that:

• Children have the right to a safe, nurturing environment which maximizes Montessori learning
• Children are to be respected as different from adults and as unique individuals who are different from one another
• All children can learn
• Children will create themselves through purposeful activity
• Intrinsic gratification is its own personal award
• Education is a shared responsibility involving students, teachers, parents and community members
• Learning is a lifelong endeavor

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Message from the Director

Welcome to Children's House Montessori School and thank you for visiting our website!

We are proud to offer the Rapid City community a Montessori educational experience. Montessori provides a hands-on, interactive and individually geared education that gives students a strong foundation in problem solving, higher order thinking and an appreciation for the love of learning. When given tools to construct meaning to every day tasks, children will do incredible things!

Primary children learn how solve problems by trial and error, learn social skills and discover independence in a very concrete way; elementary students take those previously learned skills to a higher level and begin to think abstractly through comparing, inferring, analyzing and evaluating.

As you look to discover the world of Montessori, we encourage you to come observe a classroom. We think you will be amazed at all of the discoveries that are taking place with our children.

Thank you for your interest and we welcome you to come join us on our journey of learning.

- Ms. Michelle Kagarmanov

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Primary Guides

In Montessori, teachers are often referred to as "guides" because they are experts at assisting children in finding their own strengths and capabilities through the use of developmentally appropriate lessons and enticing, self-correcting materials.

Tabitha Gibson - Primary Lead 

Mrs. Gibson is entering her 8th year teaching at CHM. She is a certified Montessori guide for ages 3-6 years old.

Nikki Butler - Primary Lead 

Mrs. Butler is entering her 11th year teaching at CHM. She is a certified Montessori guide for ages 3-6 years old.

Jessa Birkholt - Primary & Kindergarten

Ms. Birkholt is a certified Montessori 3-6 year old guide as well as a South Dakota State Certified teacher for grades K-5. She is entering her 3rd year at CHM.

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Elementary Guides

 Jill Pena - Lower Elementary Guide

​Mrs. Pena spent time at an AMI Montessori Primary School in Mexico before moving back to Rapid City and joining CHM. She has been the Lower Elementary Guide and Summer Camp Director for almost 10 years.

 Parastou Ghazvini - Upper Elementary Guide

​Parastou started at CHM ten years ago as a Primary (3-6 year old) guide until obtaining her Upper Elementary Montessori Certification. Parastou has been instrumental in creating our Upper Elementary program.

Golnesa - Upper Elementary Assistant and Homeschool Hybrid Guide

​Golnesa is a state certified teacher with her master's in secondary education. She is entering her third year with CHM.

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Board of Directors

As a non-profit organization, Children's House Montessori is guided by a Board of Directors whose responsibility is to ensure that the school has adequate resources to fulfill its mission. Board memberships are available to those who have a passion for education and who are interested in helping guide a growing school. Reach out to the Board President if you'd like to learn more.

President
Ryan Ryder ry2000ry@yahoo.com

Vice President
Sarah Baron Houy sbaronhouy@bangsmccullen.com

Secretary
Heidi Mehlhoff hamehlhoff@gmail.com

Treasurer
Sarah Brown sarah@buildingblocksot.com

Members-at-large
Megan Reder-Schopp mreders1@jhu.edu
Stacie Lande staciemlande@gmail.com
Linda Fromm fromm.linda@gmail.com