Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Walker.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My background is a Bachelors in Child and Family Development at UGA. Then my Masters in Early Childhood Education at Ga State. I taught Kindergarten in the GA Public School system before starting my family. Our family made a move to Serenbe and during that time was introduced to the Lisa Miles (the founder of The Children’s house at Serenbe) and started looking into Montessori education. Once I observed the classrooms I knew it was what we were looking for in educating our children. An opportunity to help in the school came my way and my children joined in not too long after that. I then came on board as the Assistant to the Director (also founder) and transitioned to Director last year.
Montessori education and the Serenbe community are very similar and complement each other. We both have very similar values and ideas of what community are and the ways we can make a difference in the way we contribute and take care of our environment. I’m so lucky to experience this school and neighborhood growing together.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a nonprofit school and just being a small school in general always means budgets are small and very tight. Being a Montessori school that has classrooms that typically run on a 3-year cycle, it is hard to keep our kindergarten aged children to complete the cycle due to free Kindergarten in the public or charter school and same with elementary children as well.
The school went thru a lot of changes over the last 2 years and with any changes those can be hard until we adjust. I will say that we have such amazing staff, parents, and community that have been so supportive this last year that stuck with it and made for such an amazing year.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Children’s House at Serenbe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a nonprofit Montessori school that serves ages 3-12.
What sets us apart: I believe being in the Serenbe community. We have access to walking trails, local businesses. We’ve partnered with Serenbe Farms and the Elementary children go once a week after lunch to work on the farm. This year we partnered with the New bookstore (Hills and Hamlets) across the street from us and had our book fair. The children had a field trip to the flower shop (Forage and Flower). Chatt Hills Music founder Ron Simblist adopted our school to provide the school with one of a kind and exceptional musicians to come in to teach and perform for the children. This year we had a local chef Lane Barton start the healthy lunch options for the children. The kids call it “Lunches by Lane” or “Miss Lane’s Lunch”. She offers an optional lunch menu 2 days a week and it is served family style in the classroom.
Most Proud: We have a very dedicated and passionate staff. They/we put our blood, sweat, tears, heat and soul into it every day. They do what I believe is one of the most important jobs (and it’s not easy work) which is to teach our children to be independent, citizens and leaders of the world. These amazing children are our future!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are currently planning for our move just down the street in Serenbe’s new hamlet called Mado. Mado is being built “with the hope to eliminate the term “retirement communities”, as studies reveal that baby boomers want to age in multi-generational communities. Serenbe is developing neighborhoods where all generations interact and live well together just like generations in the past. The goal is to introduce facilities that appeal to everyone, not only age specific, for those who want a well-lived life. Planned amenities include a resort destination spa and wellness center, community pool, fitness center with yoga/Pilates studio, Montessori school campus ages 3-14 and child care for ages 0-3 plus a wellness center to integrate all medical and health needs of residents and visitors.” (serenbe.com) We are excited about the opportunities this will bring to the school and to the community.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10636 Serenbe Lane,
Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 - Website: www.thechildrenshouseatserenbe.com
- Phone: 770 463-0081
- Email: desk@thechildrenshouseatserenbe.com
- Facebook: The Children’s House at Serenbe
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
