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A Teacher-Led Micro-School
Allium is an intentionally small, close-knit community, where teachers develop deep, sustained relationships with students and their families. As administrative and curricular decision-makers, teachers can respond to students’ academic and social-emotional needs promptly and holistically. In addition, empowered teachers model leadership rooted in creativity, humility, and courage.
Meet Our Teachers
Judy Dwyre
Co-Head of School
Lower Elementary
Judy is a dedicated AMI guide and school leader of Allium Montessori School. She is committed to educational theories based on cognitive science research and is passionate about authentic Montessori, as it encompasses best practices in both teaching and learning. Judy holds a B.A. in Neuroscience and a M.A. in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, as well as an AMI Elementary Diploma and a M.A. in Elementary Education from the Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola University.
Judy champions high-quality education for all students. Her teaching career began in Baltimore Public Schools, where she taught pre-kindergarten and at a public Montessori elementary school. At Allium, Judy continues her work of supporting whole child development through a pedagogy grounded in respect. Judy enjoys sharing her creative interests and talents with her students, such as woodworking, knitting, cooking, and inventing. Thus, sparking their passion and curiosity.
Our Principles
The Wildflower Schools Nine Principles describe critical ways that our schools bring our purpose, values and norms to life. They are not the only way a community could seek to pursue our purpose and live into these values and norms, but they articulate the choices we’ve made about what to collectively uphold and by extension the aspirations that define what it means to be a Wildflower school.
Montessori
Providing a peaceful, mixed-age, child-directed environment
Home
Blurring the boundaries of home and school
Nature
Emphasizing the nonseparation between nature and human nature
Teacher-Led
Committed to remaining small, non-hierarchical, and responsive to the needs of children
Beauty
Cultivating deep beauty in all things
Shopfront
A neighborhood-nested school
committed to working in partnership with the surrounding community to create an environment that is healthier for children
Lab
Committed to exploring new ideas and the ongoing, scientific study and improvement of our practice
Equity
Working to create diverse, inclusive learning environments that work for justice as the foundation of peace
Network
Advancing an ecosystem of independent Wildflower schools that mutually support one another