My name is Marquita Holt. I am a Nashville native. I have always had a desire and a heart for children. I was originally working with older children when I began to realize that they had some gaps in their education. Then I met Ms. Sonceria Radford at church.
It was her children that were a big inspiration for me. They have gone through a school that used the Montessori philosophy, and it completely inspired me to further understand why these children were so curious. They asked so many questions and were so joyful and so exciting. That is how I became interested in Montessori philosophy. I am a co-founder of Nia House, the Director of Admissions, and Director of Marketing.
Our school incorporates farming and animal care in your curriculum. We have a llama, sheep, chickens, and that does not include the classroom pets. That is a part of our curriculum. We support the process of learning through the environment and action.
For example, the kids do not just get to have a bearded dragon in the classroom. They must research what the bearded dragon needs. Can you grow the food that the bearded dragon needs? How do you clean the bearded dragon? It is all a lesson and a huge part of who we are.
“Our school is black-founded and black-owned, but I am thankful that we embrace all cultures. It is in this way that we learn from each other and everyone gets what they needs.”
Our school is black-founded and black-owned, but I am thankful that we embrace all cultures. It is in this way that we learn from each other and everyone gets what they needs. Even if our students celebrate different holidays, we still educate them on the celebrations and holidays of others so they can see the humanity in them. We show up excellent and black.
