As the Head of School at Greene Towne Montessori School, Sarah Sweeney-Denham’s journey in education is deeply rooted in personal experience and a profound belief in the power of respectful, child-centered learning.

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A Childhood Inspiration

Sarah’s path in education was shaped by her early experiences. “When I was 7 years old, my parents were part of a group of families who founded a Friends school in Northeastern PA,” she recalls. This early exposure to an educational environment that respected and believed in children’s capabilities left an indelible mark on Sarah, influencing her future career.

From Quaker to Montessori: A Journey of Educational Philosophy

Sarah’s transition from Quaker to Montessori education was marked by a deep alignment with Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy. She shares, “Dr. Montessori believed that the road to world peace is by starting at the beginning: teaching the children.” This belief in education as a path to peace and cooperation continues to inspire Sarah’s work every day.

Navigating Challenges with Authenticity

Sarah’s professional journey has been marked by personal challenges that have shaped her leadership style. She recounts a particularly difficult time when she co-facilitated a retreat shortly after losing her mother to cancer. “I found that there was no way to close my fractured self off while leading this group, and so I brought my whole self to it,” she explains. This experience taught her the value of authenticity in leadership.

Leading Through the Pandemic

One of Sarah’s proudest achievements was guiding Greene Towne Montessori School through the COVID-19 pandemic. She led the research, formed advisory committees, and maintained constant communication. The success, she notes, was a result of the entire community’s commitment: “Greene Towne’s success in providing valuable in-person learning for young children depended on the combination of our faculty’s unwavering commitment to the school’s mission of serving young children, and Greene Towne families’ valuing the work that our teachers and children do.”

Embracing Growth and Risk

When faced with the loss of one campus due to flooding, Sarah led the school in taking a significant risk by moving to a space three times the size of the remaining facility. This move required careful planning and a belief in the school’s potential for growth. “We moved forward, knowing the excellence of our faculty and program, knowing that we were creating a unique center for the education of young children, fervently relying on the idea that if we build it, they will come,” she explains.

Mentorship and Support

Sarah views her role as Head of School as a support system for her staff’s growth. She believes in cheering on staff members as they take on new responsibilities and in providing explicit support for women in advocating for themselves.

Advancing Gender Equality Through Early Education

Sarah’s approach to gender equality starts with the youngest students. At Greene Towne, children are taught respect for their own work and bodies, as well as those of others. “This grounding in respect helps to form an early orientation for valuing diversity of all kinds, across gender, racial, or age difference,” she explains.

Community Engagement and Innovation

As a board member of the Parkway Council, Sarah brought “Touch-a-Truck” to Philadelphia, providing a unique hands-on learning experience for children. She’s also actively involved in helping young families explore parenting philosophies and creating spaces for family connections.

Balancing Work and Personal Life

Sarah emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal interests outside of work. She finds joy in audiobooks, crafting, cooking family dinners, and creative landscaping projects that build community engagement.

A Mindful Approach to the Future

Rather than focusing on specific future goals, Sarah embraces a mindful approach to her current work and its evolution. “My aspiration is to be open to and wide-eyed to my present work, as well as to be present to how it evolves and will inform my next work,” she reflects.

Sarah Sweeney-Denham’s leadership at Greene Towne Montessori School exemplifies a commitment to nurturing young minds, building strong communities, and fostering a more peaceful and equitable world through education.