Schools
Wanda Whitehead: Woman of Distinction
Wanda Whitehead, Founder of Casa di Mir Montessori school was a recipient of the Women of Distinction Awards 2013.
(Editor's Note: Phillipa Smith is a San Jose State Journalism student who wrote this piece for Patch as part of a class assignment.)
The Campbell Women of Distinction Awards annually honor women making a difference in the community. One such 2013 winner was Wanda Whitehead, Founder of Casa di Mir Montessori school, recipient of the Women Demonstrating Leadership in Education award.
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Whitehead described her feelings on receiving the recognition as “overwhelming” and how it was great to hear women’s voices being recognised. The award especially meant a lot to her being community nominated, a community the Casa di Mir Montessori has been part of since 1999.
The Montessori approach to teaching combines a deep understanding of child development with a view of what tools a child needs to become an effective citizen in today’s society. There is a focus on building respectful relationships, nurturing the child and parental involvement.
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Whitehead had always wanted to teach. She spent 16 years teaching at a public school in Palo Alto, but when she realised there wasn’t the next step of Montessori Elementary school available for her son, she started her own school, in her own home.
As word spread, her class sizes grew and the time came to move to a bigger space. Whitehead describes the plot on East Latimer Avenue as a “gem”, and feels lucky to be so central to the Campbell community.
“The children can walk to the library, which is great” she says. “Campbell is really child and family friendly, and it’s so welcoming, which creates community”.
Whitehead says the connections she makes with the children at school brings joy to her and her staff every day.
“Watching the children grow and figure things out for themselves, seeing them have those ‘a-ha!’ moments, seeing them enjoy learning, makes it so rewarding,” she says.
To have her work acknowledged is the icing on the cake.
“I want to make a difference” she says, “ Much is done that is not just the profession. A lot is about providing for the community and I hope to be able to inspire others.”
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