About Us
The dream of a great place, where children are happy fulfilling individuals has come true. We have started our journey in different countries, at different time, but with one purpose:
Prepare an environment that can serve the children, help them become independent, well-rounded, capable individuals.
That’s is the reason why the Montessori professionals have come together to form the Authentic Montessori Preschool: Pirmie Soļi. Our main priority in this transformative education is preparation for life itself.
We believe that preparation for life includes:
Strong emotional, social, behavioral, and moral foundation. Know right from wrong, self-confidence, connection with others, and contribution to the world.
In the “Pirmie Soļi”, we do believe in multilingual communities.
Our team includes 2 AMI certified teachers and 1 Preschool assistant.
Alona Zmitrovich is mother of two boys, head of Latvian Montessori Fund, board member of Latvian Montessori Association, founder of Montessori Institute Latvia.
Our team
Alona Zmitroviča
Founder, Head of the School
Tatjana Bukša
Russian speaking Assistant
Natālija
Latvian speaking teacher.
Jelena Simonova
Jelena has University degree in Early Childhood, she has more than 15 years experience working as a preschool teacher for ages 3-7. The Montessori philosophy is something that came up naturally for her. During her years in 3-7 preschool, she was supporting and empowered children for independence, curiosity, and desire to learn. She is a student of the International Montessori course.
Erica Joy Sebastian-Jones
Hi, my name is Erica! I am from Australia. I am a university-trained early childhood educator who discovered the Montessori method after having my own child. I really love that in Montessori education each child is nurtured as a whole person, and is presented with hands-on learning opportunities according to his/her individual needs and stage of development. I love that every day is different in a Montessori classroom. I do this job because the early years are so important in a child’s life, and I want to foster curiosity and a love of learning in young children. It warms my heart seeing the joy children experience when they make discoveries as they play. In my spare time, I like to read, knit, sew, cook, travel, go for walks in nature and go long-boarding!
“Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” (Dr Montessori, The Discovery of the Child) I believe our work is very important, we don’t just educate children in preparation for school, but for life.
Aina Barovska
Latvian language teacher's assistant
Aina is originally from Bauska but now she lives with her husband and daughter
in Riga. She has a teacher’s degree from Latvian University with a preschool
teacher's diploma. She has more than 5 years of experience working with the
children. She loves to travel and she has an incredible portfolio of songs for
children that she loves to sing.
Anastasija
Speech therapist, preschool teacher.
More than 15 years of experience.
Authentic Montessori Preschool “Pirmis Soļi”
Our team
Alona Zmitroviča
Founder, Head of the School
Tatjana Buksha
Nanny. Tatjana’s work experience at the kindergarten is more than 20 years.
Natalija Burgancova
Latvian speaking teacher. Natalija has Montessori teacher diploma, Latvian University diploma and
also more than 5 years of experience working with the children at kindergarten.
Jelena Simonova
Jelena has University degree in Early Childhood, she has more than 15 years experience working as a preschool teacher for ages 3-7. The Montessori philosophy is something that came up naturally for her. During her years in 3-7 preschool, she was supporting and empowered children for independence, curiosity, and desire to learn. She is a student of the International Montessori course.
Erica Joy Sebastian-Jones
Hi, my name is Erica! I am from Australia. I am a university-trained early childhood educator who discovered the Montessori method after having my own child. I really love that in Montessori education each child is nurtured as a whole person, and is presented with hands-on learning opportunities according to his/her individual needs and stage of development. I love that every day is different in a Montessori classroom. I do this job because the early years are so important in a child’s life, and I want to foster curiosity and a love of learning in young children. It warms my heart seeing the joy children experience when they make discoveries as they play. In my spare time, I like to read, knit, sew, cook, travel, go for walks in nature and go long-boarding!
“Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” (Dr Montessori, The Discovery of the Child) I believe our work is very important, we don’t just educate children in preparation for school, but for life.
Aina Barovska
Latvian language teacher's assistant
Aina is originally from Bauska but now she lives with her husband and daughter
in Riga. She has a teacher’s degree from Latvian University with a preschool
teacher's diploma. She has more than 5 years of experience working with the
children. She loves to travel and she has an incredible portfolio of songs for
children that she loves to sing.
Anastasija
Speech therapist, preschool teacher.
More than 15 years of experience.
