About Our School
Water Lily Montessori School is an authentic, urban Montessori educational environment. We offer a nurturing learning environment for children aged 33 months to 6 years, as well as quarterly parent education sessions and seasonal cultural community gatherings.
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Our Montessori school environment is designed to assist the individual child in developing life skills, literacy, mathematical competency and the ability to work independently.
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The entire classroom environment is constructed just for the children which maximizes their independence and self-discovery, while learning how to be part of a greater community of individuals.
During the day, children at Water Lily Montessori will have an uninterrupted work cycle in the classroom where they are free to choose work they have a presentation on and repeat that work for as long as they desire during the work period. There are four main work areas within the classroom environment – practical life, sensorial work, language work, and math work.
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There is nothing more beautiful and hope instilling than seeing children developing the confidence, self-esteem and agency as they engage in the meaningful and self-selected work in the Montessori environment. At Water Lily, we believe we are a community of learners that embraces our mistakes and welcomes the joy in our success.
Our Teacher Leaders
Amanda Jakowich
Director & Founding Teacher Leader
Amanda is an educational leader committed to collaborative learning that engages students, staff, families and the community. Amanda began her journey by receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Music, from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, where she studied vocal-choral music education. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she immediately dove into family life and utilized her experience as she developed a new identity of being a Mom. After many other adventures, Amanda set off down the path of self-exploration which offered grace, refinement, and growth, in the interest of child development; observing the unique gifted qualities each child possesses. In the spring of 2019, Amanda completed her Montessori Primary Training at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. Thus, earning the highest, internationally recognized Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) credential. In the spring of 2020, Amanda completed her Master of Arts in Education from Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In her free time Amanda enjoys time with family and friends, baking, yoga, almond flavored lattes, adventures in nature and being at home in Minneapolis.
Edward Kramer
Montessori Guide
After being trained at the Montessori Training Center at St Catherine’s University, Edward began his Montessori journey at J.J. Hill Montessori (St Paul Public Schools), where he owes an enormous debt to the older, learned Montessorians who gave him so much guidance. From there, he moved to Moscow, Russia and started a Montessori school called Otrada Montessori, which means ‘Joy’ in English. After serving as Head of School and Montessori Guide for 5 years, he moved back to the US and became the Head of School at Williamsburg Montessori in Brooklyn and then the Montessori Coordinator for Haggard Montessori, a collective of nine schools in Seattle. In 2021, Edward moved back to his native Minnesota and sought out a school that was rooted in Montessori values and practice. He is very happy to have found Water Lily Montessori, where Amanda has created just such a place! He is a proud Montessori nerd, cat enthusiast, gardener, and uncle to his nephew, Ricky. His absolute passion is football (world) and is a rabid fan of Fulham Football Club of West London.
Assistants
Nan Kyi
Assistant
My name is Nan Kyi or Nana. The children at Water Lily call me Ms. Nan! I graduated from Myitkyina University in northern Myitkyina, Myanmar with a Mathematics degree. After graduation, from 2005-2008, I spent the early part of my career as a 4th grade homeroom teacher. In 2012 I came to the United States of America in pursuit of advancing my career and raising a beautiful family. I now have 3 wonderful daughters. I began my Montessori journey as a parent volunteer with Water Lily in the winter of 2019. In October of 2020 I was hired as a Montessori Aide in the Children’s House. During the summer of 2021 I was eager to learn more about Montessori education and attended the Minnesota Montessori Training Center of Minnesota’s online Assistant course. I love working with children and discovering their capabilities. I live in Saint Paul with my husband, my 3 daughters, and an old black cat named Yuki.
MWMS Board
Board Member
"As a seasoned finance executive and dedicated community leader, I am honored to join the Minnesota Wildflower Montessori School (MWMS) board. With over 15 years of experience in fiscal management, strategic planning, and leadership, I am confident in my ability to contribute to MWMS' mission and growth. I am drawn to the school's commitment to nurturing an inclusive environment, which resonates with my passion for empowering communities and driving positive change. As a board member, I am committed to excellence, equity, and fostering a vibrant learning community. I look forward to collaborating with the board to promote Montessori principles, cultivate diversity, and ensure every student receives a well-rounded education that prepares them for success. With enthusiasm and dedication, I embrace the opportunity to contribute my expertise, passion, and commitment to MWMS' mission of nurturing lifelong learners who are curious, creative, and driven to make a positive impact in the world".
Keith Wax
Keith is passionate about education, especially for children to build a solid foundation for their futures generations to come. He has served on the MWMS board since 2018 and is proud of the impact the MWMS schools like Water Lily make upon their communities and their children. Keith's career background is in the technology and financial worlds, with Fortune 10 companies as well as startups. His educational background includes the University of Pennsylvania, the Instituto Internacional (Madrid, Spain), and MIT. Keith enjoys exploring different cultures and is fluent in English, semi-fluent in Spanish, and speaks some French, Tagalog, Visayan, and Italian. He enjoys creating new memories with his family (especially around Halloween:) and is an avid skier