40 Years of Enrichment and Education

Springs East Montessori Reaches Milestone and Announces New Principal

For more than 40 years, Ann Griesdorn has studied children, educational methods and even childhood psychology as part of running a local Montessori school. This year, the school that she founded in 1967 will reach a milestone and to mark the anniversary, she will pass the helm to another life-long educator.

After many years of encouraging children to have positive self images, nurturing their love for learning and teaching them to understand that they learn important lessons from their failures, Ann has moved toward semi-retirement and looks forward to acting as an administrator at the school and mentoring a new generation of Montessori educators.

“After teaching, in some cases, three generations in one family, I think it’s time for me to celebrate what we’ve accomplished during the past 40 years at Springs East and to let some of the fantastic teachers here get the credit that they deserve,” Griesdorn said. “I’m proud of what we’ve done and I’ll continue to help guide the teachers and staff at Springs East to provide the very best early educational opportunities for our young people.”

In 2008, Sally O’Donnell, a Springs East teacher for nearly 22 years, will become the acting principal at Springs East Montessori. A life-long Mariemont resident and mother of two grown children, O’Donnell has shaped many young lives and will continue to instruct students in addition to her new administrative responsibilities. “Sally is an amazing educator, very upfront and honest with the children and she really deserves her time in the limelight,” Griesdorn said. “I feel very comfortable turning the principal role over to her and I have no doubt that she will continue to apply the strong foundational principles of Montessori education to our changing times.”

When asked what the biggest challenge she’s faced in her many years as an educator, Ann quickly replies that she sees challenges every day, but that the hardest part about her job is coping with the changing American culture of instant gratification and “keeping up the Joneses”.

“The two most important things that we teach students are to not give up and to find satisfaction in a job well done,” Griesdorn said. “It’s important that children have a positive view of themselves and not quit trying when things are difficult so that when they’re finished, they can be proud of how hard they’ve worked and what they’ve been able to accomplish. It may not always be easy, but these methods instill a life-long love of learning which will serve them better in the long run.”

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Springs East Montessori School has been educating and inspiring children since 1967. With an emphasis on individual learning styles and rates of development, learning at a Springs East Montessori school is a process that engages the child’s total self: physical, emotional, social and intellectual. From preschool through third grade, children are encouraged to become independent thinkers and problem solvers, with the individual child as the center and focus of the curriculum. For more information, visit www.springseast.com.