The Grasshopper Difference
At Grasshopper Montessori, our focus is kindergarten preparation learned in an inspiring and confidence-building atmosphere. All of our students enter kindergarten at exiting kindergarten levels in several areas. In other words, students exceed the state standards for some criteria necessary to enter 1st grade! We accomplish these overwhelming results by incorporating the expectations of the common core state standards into our hands-on lessons. We emphasize fine motor skills and one-on-one attention. Our aim in doing so is to ease the transition into elementary for both kids and their parents. The goal is to inform parents of the expectations of kindergarten and provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in elementary and to maintain their joy of learning.
In order for children to become successful students, they need to experience little achievements and joy throughout the day. Small and recurring successes result in confidence, self-motivation and continual progress. These successes are achieved by both challenging the child and inspiring her, by building good character, by reinforcing her innate desire to learn and offering reminders that learning is fun. In our program, these qualities are reflected in creative materials, specific expectations and the supportive interaction with the facilitators. When we inspire a child to tap into her natural creativity, her education easily excels. Inspire. Create. Educate.
We are a year-round program. A day at Grasshopper includes circle time, work cycle, snack, lunch and outdoor play. Children experience song, dance and calendar upon arrival then a focused work cycle based upon academics and independent exploration. Students manipulate materials that teach a specific skill but are so enjoyable that the children feel like they are just playing. We structure our environment and lessons so that every student experiences several small achievements throughout the day, leaving the child feeling useful, accomplished and eager for the next day. These little yet frequent successes fuel our students’ progress. Many of our students easily master reading skills and addition by the time they enter kindergarten!
Meet the owners
Assia Hamani
Owner
Assia Hamani was born in France to Algerian parents. She grew up in Lyon where she studied and obtained her bachelor's degree in English and American Literacy and Civilization, Translations and Languages. She is fluent in French (native language), English and Spanish and has competency in Italian, Portuguese, Arabic and Berber.
Assia has been an educator for 15 years in various roles such as: Assistant Guide, Lead Guide, Head of Programming for Kaona Global Education and Director at Grasshopper Montessori. During this time, she was trained to the Montessori curriculum and practices. Since 2020, she is honored to transition into full Owner as well as Lead training guide.
She has lived on four continents while pursuing goals in education, art, music and activism. Her travels have encouraged a universal worldview allowing her to communicate from a perspective of global education. Miss Assia teaches children to develop their own unique world perspective with the primary intention of encouraging our children to be global citizens and embrace culture. It is this view that has prompted her to develop her own program in order to bring out children's natural empathy and curiosity. She completed the Harvard graduate school of education online program " Educating global citizens " in 2018.
Her love for art, music and dance is a big part of her learning and teaching style. She believes learning is a process that requires many approaches and that each person learns differently. It is imperative that a teacher work to understand the learning style of her student and to develop and reach them in a way that facilitates their full potential.
Marnie Nordling
Owner
Marnie Nordling was born and raised in Vashon, Washington, an island nestled in the Puget Sound just South of Seattle. In 2000 Marnie began studying early childhood education and has continued on this journey throughout her life. She believes in building a rich stimulating and creative environment for children to feel empowered and inspired. Over the past 10 years, Marnie has developed a love for Montessori education and received her Montessori teaching certificate in 2018.
Marnie is well traveled, working in preschools/daycares, providing in home care, and nanny shares. Her nurturing passion and love for children has been her life.
Marnie has a passion for art and design. Using her degree from the New York Fashion Academy, she founded a small clothing line and worked with a collective of woman in Cambodia, empowering them towards sustainability through clothing production and design.
Marnie is an LMT and practiced massage therapy from 1998-2010. She enjoys physical fitness, yoga, nature, and living a healthy lifestyle. But, most importantly she enjoys being a mother to two boys.
Marnie is excited to be part of the Grasshopper community and is committed to help each child cultivate their best selves, develop a life-long love of learning, and establish a foundation for a life of success.
Our Mission
To prepare each child academically, socially and emotionally to become global citizens.
Our Vision
To change education by using our unique curriculum to fuel every child's natural joy of learning and bring out their utmost potential to eliminate academic struggle and close the educational gap uplifting our entire community.