September 2021 - August 2022
Statement from the Director
Our second year brought expansion, learning, and reasons for celebration! We grew our enrollment, founded the Family Resource Center, expanded our physical footprint, and remained rooted in our mission.
Congratulations to See Her, who attended the Midwest Montessori Training Center in order to become a Lead Guide here at Monarch. Having worked alongside See for many years, I know that she is uniquely qualified for this new role. Many thanks to Theresa Kallmes, who painted a gorgeous mural to beautify new classroom space. Pa Chia Her kindly subbed for See while she was away at training; we were overjoyed when she officially joined the team in August 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the scarcity and expense of childcare. We feel proud to provide an option for families in this corner of East St. Paul, and we strive to offer quality education and care. As the director of this small but mighty organization, taking a risk on this new endeavor has challenged and inspired me more than I could have imagined. I feel lucky to grow and learn alongside this staff, our families, and especially the children we serve every day.
After this second year, I feel proud that we:
Filled our classroom and grew our waitlist.
Sponsored See Her to become a trained Montessori guide.
Held a successful in-person fundraising event.
Received grants to open the Family Resource Center.
Offered healthcare benefits to our full-time staff.
Continued to provide tuition assistance to eligible families.
Doubled our staff.
Increased visibility in the community.
Retained a high percentage of families year-to-year.
In the coming years, I hope that we:
Increase awareness of the Family Resource Center in the East Side community.
Expand our tuition assistance program.
Connect with other early childhood educators to foster collaboration.
Provide more opportunities for parent and community involvement.
Schedule regular field trips.
Complete renovations to the outdoor space.
Create a plan for expansion to respond to the need for childcare in our neighborhood.
Monarch relies on the wisdom and dedication of our board, the generosity of our donors and volunteers, and the goodwill and reciprocity of our families. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
With gratitude,
Julia Kallmes
Monarch Montessori School Director
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