Hey there! We’re Donna and Karen.

Your go-to duo for making learning fun at the elementary level! Awin

Specializing in creating enjoyable learning experiences, our content blends education with engagement to enrich your students’ learning journeys.

Partners in life and work, we’re a unique duo – one quirky Montessori elementary trained teacher and one smiley digital designer. Together, our mission is to make learning through the second plane of development meaningful and lots of fun.

We create engaging content aligned with Montessori principles for teachers, parents, and caregivers working with kids ages 9 to 12. With our combined knowledge and experience, we’re committed to making learning both enjoyable and visually appealing.

Our talents come together in the form of printable and digital Montessori-aligned products and resources. My engaging concepts are brought to life by Karen’s design flair, captivating learners and making them smile!

Here’s a bit more about each of us.

Meet the Teacher – Donna

An expert in all things elementary, I have over 10 years of in-class Montessori elementary teaching experience. For the past five years, I’ve also supported homeschooled students as a virtual Montessori teacher. On a more personal note, I’m a proud stepmom to a now-adult, bright young woman, and I had the joy and privilege of helping raise her, too.

I have also worked as an online ESL teacher for students in China ranging in age from 6 years to 13 years of age. Hey, what can I say, I really jive with the elementary-aged child and relate to their needs.

A self-proclaimed quirky Montessori elementary guide, and an engaging online educator, I love interacting with my students and making deep, lasting impressions even if it requires being a little over the top.

I believe that there are many benefits of playing games in the classroom to supplement learning because a fun lesson makes for a memorable experience. Students are more likely to learn and engage if they are enjoying themselves.

Through thought-provoking activities and intriguing content, my goal is to guide students to their fullest potential through activities that capture their curiosity and spark intrigue.

I began teaching at a great Montessori school in Toronto, Canada. Back then, there were lots of good Casa (preschool/kindergarten) programs, but not many followed the Montessori philosophy for the elementary years. I was lucky to be part of a school that was true to Montessori and embraced letting kids lead their own way.

In my first year, I began with a class of 10 upper elementary students. The program expanded to over 25 kids within five years as families recognized its value in setting their children up for success beyond school.

How I see it, the Montessori elementary program isn’t just about academics; it prepares kids for life ahead.

That’s why I’m here, to help you add a touch of Montessori to your elementary learning space.

Meet the Creative – Karen

I am grateful for the skill set of my partner, Karen, as she brings all of my wild and crazy ideas to fruition and makes everything look amazing.

A playful and smiley graphic designer whose happy place is behind the camera and designing content for kids, Karen holds over 20 years of experience creating.

Karen’s creative path includes designing children’s clothes for Please Mum and stickers for Sandylion, as well as working with small businesses on branding, and creating attention-grabbing ads. Her captivating content holds everyone’s attention.

Not only does she make our products pop, but deeper than that, she provides a different perspective and challenges me to provide clear and precise explanations of our Montessori-aligned resources and products. She makes sure that my words make sense and that I don’t use my ‘teacher voice’ too much.

Karen gives words and ideas a creative twist which leads to lessons that are popping with eye-catching art. Her fun style is an invitation for students to learn and a reminder to be fearless when creating. The students’ experience is enriched by her captivating work.

More About Us

Did I mention that we self-published a picture book, a cat coloring book, and an activity book? We also have a shop on Teacher Pay Teachers (and on Etsy) where we provide fun and engaging Montessori-aligned materials and resources for the elementary level. What can I say, we’ve been busy working together.

When we are not working, you might find us working out in the park or walking for hours, but it’s most likely that you’ll find us eating something plant-based or at a coffee shop in search of lattes.

Want to know even more about us?

Dewey, our rescued chihuahua/rat terrier mix from the Texas streets, brings joy and vitality to our lives. With the sweetest face and massive ears, he reminds us to slow down and take a nap! He’s a good boy with a weakness for treats (despite his food allergies!). Oh, and he takes his role as the house protector very seriously!

Speaking of the house, we have taken our work and life on the road! We are The Nomadic Strays, and we’ve transitioned to full-time travel and work in our converted camper van. We are professional pet sitters and travel around from pet sit to pet sit with our tiny dog in our tiny home on wheels.

Eco-conscious-minded and plant-based eaters, we are always looking to reduce our footprint on this beautiful earth. That’s so Montessori!

Why We Blog

Have you noticed the lack of resources for Montessori elementary education? High quality activities that get elementary minds active and absorbing information without them even realizing because they’re so into it – those are few and far between. That’s why we’re here – to fill that gap.

While there’s an abundance of resources and information available for Montessori toddler and Casa levels, the spotlight often shines less brightly on the magical elementary years. These years are vital for nurturing a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

We’re here to share our exciting ideas and knowledge to help teachers prepare kids for life beyond school. Our goal? Make learning fun and memorable so it sticks with them as they grow up.

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We’re thrilled you’re here with us and know you’ll love what we have to offer!

Donna and Karen