Montessori Radmoor

When asked about her time at Montessori Radmoor, she remembers, “What did I love about Radmoor?  Everything.  Absolutely everything.  I was one of those kids who did not want summer to come.”

Kate attended Montessori Radmoor, beginning in Primary and continuing through fifth grade.  Her brother Jack is also an alum.

She recalls when she was an extended day student, and the days came to visit the elementary classes.  “My brother’s friend, Jordan Lulloff, showed me that when the letter I is used by itself, it is always capitalized.  That was the first time I remember that.   And, I never forgot that.”

In addition to learning in the classroom, she turned her focus to learning about animals.  Long an animal lover, she is looking to a future of working with – what else – animals. Does that mean veterinary school?   Time will tell – in the meantime, she’s willing to learn through experience, and trusting her own voice.

A summer spent working in Florida with a cousin’s veterinary clinic will end with the beginning of her freshman year at Michigan State University.

She says, “I am really looking forward to it.  I want to learn, and I want to see if that is the path I want, to own or run a vet clinic.  I know what it’s like to have my own business, but I want to see how he does it.”

Kate’s love of learning and knowledge of herself is evident in this excerpt from a college application:

“Daddy, I caught a snake”.  

I know. Sounds weird for 7 -year-old to be catching a garter snake with her bare hands.  But, that was me.  I was the freak that love animals too much to think.  

My dad has always taught me to embrace what we have around us, and going to a Montessori school solidified that.  At 10 years old, I created an elaborate trading system using sticks and ice — this was my future business plan. 

Montessori allows you to be who you are and makes the values that were already strong even stronger.  My schooling helped me become the responsible, charismatic, business owner that I happen to be. 

Starting a business at age 13 was just the advanced version of the stick and ice method that I had learned from Montessori.  Except instead of using fort materials, I was taking care of pets.  I was using my passion in a way that taught me how to become a responsible teenager.  I had to come across seriously; I couldn’t just waltz in and make an adult trust a sixth grader with their home and pets.  I had to use my communications skills and present myself in a way that I could be trusted. 

I loved animals so much that learning how to charge the right amount, get references and be reliable was nothing.  All those qualities were instilled in me from Montessori and my family;  all I did was apply them to the real world so I could make something of myself.  My dad owning his own business inspired me and taught me that I could make my passion for animals into something bigger.

So look out, college — because I am still the kid that adds a garter snake, sticks and ice together to make a business.  I am determined to make my love for all kinds of animals the rest of my life.  And, using the tools that I have learned from my pet sitting business and Montessori will get me there.

Monica Hoffmeyer and Kate on the playground Monica Hoffmeyer and Kate on the playground

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