Background: Hi, I’m Melanie Sanchez. I was born in Poughkeepsie, but you might notice my Philly accent, thanks to my family roots! This is my fourth year teaching, and I’ve had the pleasure of being part of Little Garden Montessori twice—first for a year before taking a break to further my education. Now, with the school expanding, I’m back full-time and couldn't be happier to be reunited with my LGM family. As a child, I always dreamed of being a mother, but professionally, I imagined myself either as a psychologist or even a tiger trainer!

Best Advice: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to practice empathy—especially with children. They’re just beginning to understand their emotions, so validating their feelings and helping them navigate these experiences is crucial. This guidance has shaped how I connect with my students.

Inspiration: What inspires me most about working at Little Garden Montessori is the sense of community. LGM exemplifies the saying “empowered women empower women.” I’m constantly inspired watching both children and adults realize their capabilities, knowing that they have the love and support of their community behind them.

Montessori Work: My favorite activity with the children right now is anything related to literacy—whether it’s reading stories, exploring sound pouches, or creating our own tales. The kids’ imaginations never fail to amaze me.

Montessori vs. Traditional Education: What I love about Montessori is how it encourages independence at every turn. Unlike traditional preschools, we celebrate a child’s effort—whether it’s putting shoes on the wrong feet or wearing a backward shirt—because it shows they are learning and growing on their own. Montessori proves daily that young children can accomplish great things.

Favorite Part of Working with Kids: Children are full of creativity, energy, and joy, and they constantly surprise me with their resilience and ideas. My favorite moments are when I see them try and try again until they succeed, and of course, they never fail to make me laugh with their clever and imaginative thoughts!

Reason for Working at LGM: I work at Little Garden Montessori because I believe deeply in the vision that Nina and the team have created. LGM isn’t just a school—it’s a family. We all support each other and grow together, which is something truly special.

Message to Parents: I want the parents of LGM students to know that your children are capable of so much more than you might think. Give them the chance to explore and make mistakes—those mistakes are valuable lessons. And you’re doing a wonderful job! We see the love you pour into your child, and it’s an honor to be part of this journey with you.

Favorite Story at LGM: One of my favorite memories is the Pride Parade in June 2024. The sense of unity, support, and love from the children and families was incredible. Seeing children cheer for strangers and watching everyone come together to celebrate was such a beautiful reminder of the strength of this community.