Staff
Kaisie Melom Aarsvold has been a preschool teacher for the last five and a half years. In 2007, she received her Montessori credential in Early Childhood Education and in 2008, she received her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, both from the College of St. Catherine.

Linda Melom has worked in long-term care for over 30 years in both the Activities Department and as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was the Director of Kensington Cottages, which was the first Assisted Living facility for dementia care in Rochester, Minnesota. For seven years, while her children were young, Linda had her own family daycare business.

Jesse Aarsvold is very excited to be a part of Mandala Montessori! He is currently a student at the Center for Contemprary Montessori Programs at St. Catherines University in St. Paul class of 2012. In 1995 he received a certification in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Brown Institute in Minneapolis. He has a great appreciation and respect for the Montessori Method. He brings a calm, patient, humorous and creative perspective to the school and we are lucky to have him with us!

• To provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment embracing the Montessori philosophy.
• To develop a mutual respect and partnership between all program participants and the world beyond our doors.
• To foster curiosity and a passion for learning.
• To promote independence and develop life skills.
• To nurture a spirit of self-esteem and dignity in each child.
• To recognize and support the individual needs of each child while promoting a strong sense of belonging to a community.

• Respect and responsibility for ourselves, our community and our environment.
• Nurturing kindness and compassion within each child. • Honoring the dual concepts of grace and courtesy.

We honor the circle of life. Within that circle we wish to create a haven of safety and nurturing.  Embracing the Montessori philosophy, we will provide purposeful activities and life experiences that promote self-esteem and dignity for our children and grandparents

The word Mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning, "circle". Throughout the world and in many different cultures and traditions it is a symbol for wholeness and unity.  Mandalas appear everywhere; the sun, the earth, the moon, as well as circle of friends, family and the community.