What An Honor It’s Been
Community,
The official founding of Wild Fern Montessori School (then Glen Allen Community Montessori School) is June 1st, 2018. But it began on March 10th. Because that evening prior, the door slammed closed, and the following day started a rescue mission. But what began for me as a rescue mission, "just for a few months," I naively told my husband, became a vast, passionate part of my life. I kept taking on more and continuously being inspired by the educators I worked with, the children I met, and the families I related to.
We weren't just another Montessori school to add to the local roster. No, this was going to be different. We would do it differently, aligned with a simple, common sense mission of "equity," with transparency and authenticity of ourselves and the pedagogy. And we weren't going to let anything get in the way of that.
And when we heard, "they don't know what they are doing over there," we said, "watch."
We purposefully, though sometimes reluctantly, chose the gravel road with a steep incline. That road, for me, has been thrilling, and fulfilling, and has given me the most robust sense of accomplishment. I witnessed staff and students triumph in their lessons and achievements. It also showed me heartbreak and disappointment. As much as this fantastic place has sometimes broken me, it also made me more malleable and taught me what it means to pick up and keep going. Because it’s bigger than me.
I am gifted with staff who believe in our mission. I have never been the expert in the room, and that was on purpose. When this all started, I was just a "Montessori Mom" (Read: Thought I knew it all and still don't). Just as each one guided our children, they guided me. And they didn't have to, but they willingly did so. They are the backbone of this school, and we do not exist without them. They are entitled to the respect, care, and honor they rightly deserve. From parent and community to Board and government.
I owe so much to Wild Fern. I will spend a lifetime paying forward this gift. In these last five years, I have gained more direction and insight into being a leader than in the 15 years I've been in the corporate world. It allowed me to meet people who truly saw me, accept me, told me to keep going, and even changed my life. I've watched students complete the beauty of their full primary cycles. Every child, staff member, and parent has taught me a lesson of varying size. I've been gifted the chance to watch this school grow, shift, pause, and pivot through moves, unseen obstacles, and a pandemic.
It's now my turn to grow, shift, pause, and pivot. I have resigned as Executive Director for Wild Fern Montessori School, effective September 1st, 2022.
No significant gains or growth are without its sacrifices. My husband and daughter have been waiting for me these last five years. And honestly, I've been waiting for me, too. I feel confident that I completed the rescue mission and am handing over something so ready to be taken to the next stage of its journey. The Board is in the process of finding someone to take on the Executive Director role in a dedicated way this school deserves. I won't be far, however. I will move into the Treasurer role on the Board of Directors and continue building and delivering the Sliding Scale Tuition Program.
Wild Fern was never my school. It has always been your school. Now it's time for me to step back and let Wild Fern become all it's meant to be. I'm grateful for the honor you gave me to see it through this far.
Sincerely,
Brei Stevenson
Executive Director