Miss Julie Luce joined Willow Tree Montessori in the 2018-2019 school year as an assistant, quickly becoming an incredible asset to the community, the children- and to have in Casa. Her patience and warm nature make for a seamless afternoon of work. Miss Luce also played an integral role in our first Creative Arts Collective Summer Workshop Series, assisting with all aspects: from providing positive daily feedback to make the program stronger, and to facilitating creative projects.
WTM: Tell us a little bit about your background and education?
JL: I grew up in Woodbridge with my parents and older brother. I graduated from Amity High School in 2013. During my time at Amity, I played varsity and travel softball. I originally went to the University of Hartford after being accepted into their physical therapy program. I eventually transferred to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) after switching my major to social work. I completed my undergraduate internship at the Willows, a nursing home in Woodbridge. I graduated with honors from SCSU in 2018 with my bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in public health.
WTM: What brought you to WTM?
JL: After graduating from Southern, I decided to take a year off before applying to MSW programs. My primary goal was to gain experience working with children in a professional setting. Social work is such a broad major and I was struggling to find my calling. This is when I stumbled across WTM. I found a job listing online for an assistant teacher position at Willow Tree. I was somewhat familiar with the school because I drove by it frequently. After applying, I received a call back and was asked to come in for an interview.
Upon entering WTM, I felt right at home. The staff and environment were so incredibly welcoming; I almost forgot I was there for an interview. Mrs. Bielik gave me a tour of the Casa while sharing the “roots” of Willow Tree. It was early August and sunlight poured in through the many windows and skylights. I explored the environment slowly, with admiration for the child-sized tables, chairs, shelves, and even toilets.
It wasn’t until my interview that I realized I had vague experience with Montessori. While Mrs. Bielik educated me about the Montessori Method and what to expect, I reflected on my time at Beecher Road Elementary school. I was in a program called multi-age group (MAG). MAG is a four-year program at Beecher that stems from the Montessori Method. This program connected me to some of my lifelong best friends and all-time favorite teachers. MAG was the highlight of my elementary education and definitely prompted my love for learning. After making this connection, I knew that I wanted to take the job opportunity at Willow Tree and be a part of something special.
WTM: What is your favorite thing about being an assistant?
JL: My favorite thing about being an assistant is, of course, the children. I love to watch them grow and develop in all aspects of life- physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. There is simply nothing better than watching the look on a child’s face when he or she accomplishes a seemingly impossible and daunting task. Just the other day, I eagerly watched a “first year child” successfully get on the swing for the first time by himself. The highlight of my work day is when I am asked to admire a child’s hard work, or when I hear someone shout, “Look! I did it!”
WTM: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
JL: It’s hard to say where I see myself in the next five years. Life is wonderfully unpredictable. I am recently engaged to my fiancé, Anthony. We are in the process of wedding planning and house hunting. We just set a date for our wedding which will take place in April, 2021. In the next five years, I envision us happily married and moved into our own home. In addition, I wish to have completed my master’s degree and AMI primary certification. Ultimately, I just hope to be happy, healthy, and surrounded by loved ones.
WTM: What is your favorite quote?
JL: One of my all-time favorite quotes is, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” I tend to be incredibly hard on myself, but this quote reminds me to stop comparing myself to others. This quote can also be applied to the Montessori philosophy. It is important for children to follow their personal interests and skills. We all have our unique talents and its okay not to succeed at everything!
WTM: What interests you the most about the Montessori Method?
JL: I find all aspects of the Montessori Method fascinating. Science has always been my favorite subject, so I particularly appreciate that the Montessori Method originated from an experiment. The children are literally teaching themselves every day. All the works are self-corrective, which allows the children to learn at their own pace. The Montessori Method encourages children to make their own choices based on internal motivation. In traditional education, there is a specific curriculum that the teacher is required to follow. However, the Montessori Method encourages the “guide” to follow the child. This ensures that the child is always interested and engaged in the work at hand.
I also value the role of the “prepared environment” in Montessori. Not only is it beautiful, but it is functional. It allows the children to move freely and discover what they are truly capable of. They have access to sinks, scissors, utensils, pitchers, plants… the list goes on. This trust and accessibility helps foster confidence and independence in the child.
WTM: What have you learned or gained by working at WTM?
JL: It’s hard to communicate everything I have gained from working at WTM. It has shifted my perception of children and education entirely. Firstly, I have developed a unique sense of humor. Kids are unintentionally hilarious. You have to be able to laugh at all the bizarre things they say and do in order to get through the day.
In addition, I have developed a sense of patience and self-control. When a child is encouraged to do things on their own, everything becomes a process. It can be a challenge to sit back and wait while they put on their own shoes, open their own lunches, or clean up their own spills. Despite how difficult it can be to practice patience during these times, it is absolutely crucial to their development! Children will never learn to do things for themselves if they are constantly depending on others.
Lastly, I have gained amazing coworkers. Being an assistant allows me to learn from the best. I feel grateful to have Mrs. Bielik as a guide because she has so much knowledge and insight to offer. She has taught me skills that I find myself utilizing both inside and outside of the Casa. Mrs. Bielik has a clear passion for Montessori and love for children. Her positive attitude reflects on all staff members at WTM and creates a pleasant work atmosphere. I look forward to each school day because I love what I do and who I do it with.
WTM: You are involved in a local charity that has grown quite a bit over the last few years, can you speak a bit on that?
JL: Yes! Thank you for asking! I am on the junior advisory board for a non-profit called the Susie Foundation. The Susie Foundation provides families living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with compassionate and enduring support services that help them overcome the adversities of the disease and access richer, fuller, and more meaningful lives. It was founded in memory of Susan R. Matthews, who passed away from ALS in 2011. My committee, in particular, seeks to support The Susie Foundation’s Flex Grant program, which provides reimbursement funding to financially distressed families. Our efforts also support the agency’s collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters, which seeks to provide adult mentors to children living with parental ALS.
To learn more about the Susie Foundation visit: https://www.thesusiefoundation.org/
Thank-you Miss Luce!
Julie Luce lives in Prospect with her fiancé, Anthony. Julie grew up in Woodbridge and graduated from Amity High School in 2013. She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Southern Connecticut State University in 2018. This is her second year working as an assistant in the primary Casa. Julie is also a member of the Junior Advisory Board for the Susie Foundation, a local nonprofit. In her spare time, Julie loves to play outside with her dog, Lola. She also loves vacationing with her family to Sebago Lake, Maine.