The ever-growing Montessori School of Downtown, began in the 1980’s as just a small in-home babysitting enterprise, conducted by newlyweds, Rita and Hersh Kumar. As recent immigrants from India, their story of “America” is one shared by many others who, with meager material resources, worked with skill and determination to ultimately bring about today’s very successful result.
For Rita and Hersh, their first years in America were hard, as both were struggling to survive as soon-to-be parents. And, when their first child was on the way, they wondered where they might find a suitable childcare facility up to their high standards of quality. So, with a shared passion for education, they decided to start accepting small children into their own home to provide care that other working parents in the community would appreciate and value. And, as funds became available, they purchased an old, quaint building that served as their first “Model Preschool”. Here, they began providing a more formal type of education and care to children, including those in their own growing family as well.
In the course of time, their efforts brought about more school locations, and the development of an organization to serve their employees as well. As the number of employees grew, staff meetings were held where Hersh regularly encouraged employees to “Be the best version of yourself”.
Now, with the Covid pandemic causing disruptions in their program, they have adjusted to include extra safety and security, along with a consistent commitment to education. Recently, Hersh reports the school has adopted online education as a tool to help children not available for in-school attendance. Remarkably, despite the current situation, Hersh and Rita are in the process of expanding their current five school locations to include their newest one now under development in Aliana, Texas. Their motto has always been to serve children as “self-inspired learners”.
For more information, contact:
Urmila Kadam, Director of Research and Development; ukadam@montessoridowntown.com
Telephone: 832-264-6267. Website:
https://www.montessoridowntown.com