Women in Business: Michele Scott Wilensky and Cindi Stehr - Hilltop Montessori School
Hilltop Montessori founder Cindi Stehr and head of school Michele Scott Wilensky were both Montessori educators who wanted to create a unique school for students who loved learning.
“We are both passionate about Montessori education and see the many benefits: independence, intrinsic motivation, academic achievement, competence and confidence,” Wilensky said.
Stehr started Hilltop Montessori School with just one preschool classroom in 1996 and converted it to a nonprofit in 1998. That same year, Wilensky was hired to begin the elementary program. Since that time, Hilltop has grown to serve thousands of students and resides on a 7-acre campus in picturesque Mt Laurel.
Hilltop Montessori serves students from 18 months through eighth grade and cultivates an atmosphere of learning and exploration.
“Montessori education is for students who love learning, have sparks of curiosity and are interested in the world around them,” Wilensky said.
The school wouldn’t be where it is today without these two women leading the charge. As they look back on 22 years of business, they want to encourage all women to work hard and push for their dreams.
“We think it’s very important for women to show the next generation that it is possible to make a difference in society, while still balancing family life,” Wilensky said. “Both of us have raised children while working full-time and are proud that we have been able to demonstrate to our children through hard work that anything can be accomplished.”
Running a school is no easy feat, though, and Stehr and Wilensky have learned a lot about themselves, both as educators and parents.
“There are always challenges when you have a busy career and are raising children of your own,” Wilensky said. “Returning to work soon after our maternity leaves, dealing with sick children while working and other unforeseen circumstances are challenging, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
The pair’s parenting philosophies also carried into their leadership mentality at Hilltop Montessori. Stehr and Wilensky have created a campus worth more than $7 million that hosts an apiary, outdoor gardens by each classroom, science lab, gym and state-of-the-art teaching kitchen.
“We both had a strong vision for how we wanted our school to be and are so proud to see that vision become reality,” Wilensky said.
Wilensky and Stehr aren’t afraid to get down into the dirt and work side-by-side with the students. In fact, Stehr is a certified beekeeper and helps run the school’s apiary. In her free time, she helps community families and parents of the school start their own hives.
“We both love working with the students because Montessori truly develops a love of learning that will carry these children throughout their lives,” Wilensky said.
As for the future, the dynamic duo has a couple plans up their sleeves.
“Hilltop Montessori School will continue to be at the forefront of education. Daily Spanish immersion for the students, individualized learning and a highly academic curriculum allow each child to work toward their fullest potential,” Wilensky said.
► WHERE: 6 Abbott Square, Birmingham
► CALL: 437-9343
► WEBSITE: hilltopmontessori.com
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