Our Story

SHARON ESTRADA (FOUNDER/DIRECTOR/LEAD GUIDE)

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Mrs. Sharon Estrada is originally from Costa Rica, moved to Minnesota in 2007 and is currently living in the Southwest suburbs with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 cats, 2 dogs and 3 fish.

 

Her passion for the philosophy began as a Montessori parent of her oldest daughter.  Seeing how she flourished led her to pursue her AMI primary teaching accreditation from the Montessori Center of Minnesota back in 2010 along with Early Childhood Education and child psychology studies.

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Throughout these years, Sharon has worked in different roles for both non-profit organizations as well as private. Starting as an assistant, a Lead Guide for many years and more recently in Director roles both in Pedagogy and administration allowing her to understand all facets of a Montessori school. This experience shaped her vision of creating an authentic and peaceful Montessori community for children and families which led her to start Girasol Montessori School in 2019.

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In her personal time Sharon enjoys volunteering at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota mentoring  and supporting future guides going through training and coaching them after graduation. She also consults for schools and teachers wanting to improve communication and classroom management skills.

 

“The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

Dr. Maria Montessori | Education and Peace