La Escuela
Felicidad Preschool is a home-based Spanish immersion Montessori school rooted in la felicidad - or happiness - that is clearly seen when a young child discovers something for the first time. Our home is a warm and loving environment where children are encouraged to learn and grow along their own unique path. Following the principles of Maria Montessori, Felicidad is a carefully prepared environment full of enriching and engaging Montessori materials organized into five main subject areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural.
The daily experience of these lessons as well as group activities are all conducted in Spanish by a native Spanish-speaking guide with several years' experience in education. Children will be immersed in the Spanish language during this critical age when language is more easily grasped. Maria Montessori called this the sensitive period for language. This young age, before age 6, is what Dr. Montessori called the age of "the absorbent mind" and it is also the sensitive period for order, movement, grace and courtesy, small objects, and learning through the senses. All of these will be incorporated into the child's day, which includes an uninterrupted work cycle, outdoor play, grace and courtesy during snack and lunch, and circle times when we read, dance, and sing in Spanish. Our school is located in our welcoming home in North Austin with a big, open space for indoor learning, and a very large backyard with gardens and outdoor activities for further exploration.
La Directora
¡Bienvenidos! My name is Nashielly Victoria Stein. I was born in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. when I was very young. "La familia" is a foundation to my culture and my identity. I fondly remember my month-long visits during the summer to stay with my grandparents in Mérida. I grew up in a mostly Spanish-speaking household and took very seriously my parent's advice for my siblings and I to prioritize school and allow education to be our door-opener. Little did I know then that education would not only be my door-opener, it would be my life's work. I have my B.A. from the University of Florida and my Master's from the University of Texas at Austin. While attending graduate school at UT I worked at a local preschool and volunteered for a youth organization. I had always thought about teaching, but never fully pursued it. After graduating from UT, I began to work for a local non-profit that advocates for children in foster care.
After a few years of continuing to work with children, I formally pursued my career in education. I received my Early Childhood through 6th grade Bilingual certification for Texas while working at a Montessori school in Austin. I underwent a rigorous and eye-opening training program for Montessori and am a certified guide from the American Montessori Society. I had my young son at the time and will be expecting my second child in the spring. It is my goal to bring Montessori into my home for my children and to help give the gift of Spanish and Montessori to other children in our Austin community as well.
