I have been with Spirit At Play for the last decade, playacting Gritch the Witch one day, Ms. Oxygen the next, and Monster Mama another.  I made my home in Missoula years ago and plan to stay as long as there are mountains to climb and trails to explore.  I received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Montana and keep abreast of current early education practices through local conferences and classes. 

I have spent the last decade with children who attend Spirit At Play, sometimes ensconced between the four walls, but more often than not, trailing behind them through the parks and trails of our Missoula community in search of adventure together.  My philosophy of education includes exploration of our surroundings and respect of each other and the environment.  I believe that children are capable of great things if we learn to trust them and allow that exploration.  It helps that I am still a child at heart, eager to enter into the world of the children around me, donning whatever character is needed to complete the play at hand.

Over the last ten years, the days have begun to flow together, and now they span out behind me--some memories as clear as if they had happened yesterday, some fading into new, improved ones.  One remarkable thing I have noticed is that children never really disappear from my life--I see them years later in another body and personality, sporting the same eyes or demeanor as a previous Spirit At Play alumni, and I am amazed; I have learned that I never have to say goodbye to children--they are recycled back into my life, over and over again!  The same teaching philosophies that I have practiced from the very beginning with Spirit At Play--positive language, giving choices, following the leads of children--are also still applicable today.

I love being in the classroom because to me it is a place of magic.  Children are eager to learn from someone who is kind and patient and accepting; children are also eager to teach, and have so much to offer! Daily I am amazed at their ability to absorb information and their enthusiasm for life.  In all the ten years here, I can honestly say I have never experienced a dull moment.

              ...more's the pity...

Teacher Judy