Sweetbay Montessori School originated when a group of Montessori families and teachers created a new home for an elementary program transitioning from another school. In response to local demand for more quality early childhood education options, the Children's House for ages 3-6 was added for the 2018 - 2019 school year.

Theresa Joyce, an American Montessori Society (AMS) certified teacher, founded and led the lower elementary class at a local Montessori school for three years before becoming the Elementary Lead Teacher and Head of School at Sweetbay Montessori.

We are committed to the Core Components of Montessori Education established by the American Montessori Society (AMS):

• Properly trained Montessori teachers
• Multi-age classrooms
• Use of Montessori materials
• Child-directed work
• Uninterrupted work cycles

We are a Member School with AMS, and have embarked on the AMS Path of Continuous Improvement toward AMS Accreditation.

Theresa first discovered Montessori when her oldest child was 3 years old and she fell in love with the philosophy. All three of Theresa’s children attended Montessori schools. By the time her youngest child entered a primary class, Theresa decided to become a Montessori teacher herself.
 

Theresa has Montessori certifications in both Lower Elementary (6-9 years) and Primary (2 ½ - 6 yrs). She has a BA in Psychology and holds certifications in Florida for Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12. She has been teaching for over 17 years.