Mrs. Dawn M. Anderson

I have been a Montessori teacher since 1996. I worked as an intern at Lake Geneva Montessori School for a year, before spending 10 years teaching Children's House, Lower Elementary, and summer school at Racine Montessori School. After that, I spent another 10 years teaching Upper Elementary, Adolescent, and summer school students, and served as Curriculum Coordinator at Nature's Classroom Montessori school. I joined the staff at Wauwatosa Montessori School in the fall of 2016 to teach in the Upper Elementary.

I am certified and experienced in teaching Montessori from the age of 2 1/2 through 12 years. My certifications include Early Childhood from Seton Montessori Institute (formerly MECA) in Hindsdale, Illinois, Elementary I and II from Midwest Montessori Institute in Evanston, Illinois, a certificate of Continuing Professional Development from the American Montessori Society, and I hold a teaching license in Montessori Elementary I and II from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. I have mentored teacher trainees in both the public and private sectors. 

My teaching philosophy is firmly based on a team approach. The students are ultimately responsible for their education, with the school and home providing support. Some key Montessori concepts I hold dear are independence, respect, and community. Independence encompasses children taking personal responsibility for their choices. Students are allowed freedom in proportion to the limits of their unique set of circumstances and abilities. Respect is the expectation and the norm. My goal is an open, empathetic, inclusive, vibrant community of actualized learners.

My personal life is full. I have been married since 1993 and have two beautiful children. Both went to Montessori school from Children's House through 8th grade, have made wonderful transitions into traditional programs, and have gone on to excel, thereby proving the efficacy of Montessori. I challenge myself in my spare time, keeping active by playing Women's Flat Track Roller Derby with the Brewcity Bruisers of Milwaukee. While this organization promotes strong women, it also has a community service aspect and is active as a charitable organization. I participate both with the home team, Maiden Milwaukee, and am also on the Travel Team charter, playing for rankings internationally.