Primary Directress | Aspen Classroom | Absorbent Minds Montessori School
Kelley Laney serves as the Primary Directress of the Aspen Classroom at Absorbent Minds Montessori School in Stow, Ohio. An AMI-trained Montessori educator with extensive experience in both Primary and Elementary Montessori environments, Kelley brings a deep understanding of child development and the Montessori method to her classroom. She is passionate about creating an environment where young children can develop independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Montessori Education & Experience
Kelley is a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School and continued her education at The University of Akron, where she studied Child Development and Early Childhood Education. It was during her studies that Kelley was first introduced to the Montessori method and discovered an educational philosophy that closely aligned with her understanding of how children learn and develop.
Inspired to pursue Montessori education professionally, Kelley completed her Montessori teacher training through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training center in Denver, Colorado.
Throughout her career, Kelley has gained extensive experience working in Montessori classrooms, first as an assistant and later as a Lead Montessori teacher. She has worked with children in both Primary and Elementary environments, giving her a broad perspective on child development and the progression of learning throughout the Montessori years.
A Montessori Educator & Parent
Kelley’s connection to Montessori extends well beyond the classroom. After the birth of her second child, she took time away from teaching to focus on raising her family. During those years, she had the unique opportunity to apply her Montessori training in her own home and experience the philosophy from the perspective of a parent.
As a Montessori mother of three, Kelley has seen firsthand how opportunities for independence, purposeful work, responsibility, and exploration can shape a child’s development. Her experiences as both an educator and a parent continue to influence the thoughtful and supportive environment she creates for the children in her classroom.
Kelley especially values the opportunities Montessori provides for children to grow at their own pace. She enjoys observing each child’s individual strengths and interests and helping students develop the skills and confidence to become increasingly independent learners.
Guiding the Aspen Classroom
As Primary Directress of the Aspen Classroom, Kelley works to create a peaceful, engaging Montessori environment where children feel comfortable exploring, making choices, practicing new skills, and learning through hands-on experiences.
She believes some of the most meaningful learning happens when children are given the opportunity to discover what they are capable of doing for themselves. Through careful observation and individualized guidance, Kelley supports each child academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally throughout these important early childhood years.
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of school, Kelley enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. Hiking, camping, and enjoying nature are some of her favorite ways to spend time together. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with her large extended family, and volunteering at her children’s school.
Kelley lives in Cuyahoga Falls with her husband, their three children, and their pets. She is grateful to bring both her professional Montessori experience and her perspective as a Montessori parent to the Absorbent Minds Montessori School community.
Interested in learning more about Montessori early childhood education at AMMS? Visit our Primary program page or schedule a tour.