Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2025 Issue
By Jillian Simons
So many schools, so many philosophies. I’ve been an educator for over twenty years, and have taught across public, private, and charter schools. My teaching journey has led me through a maze of varying philosophies on instruction and pedagogy, and my current path has landed me in the role of public school reading teacher.
Early into my career, however, I was a fourth- through sixth-grade classroom teacher at an independent Montessori school. I continue to value much of what I learned through my Montessori training, as this century-old philosophy is still applicable today: focus on the emotional needs of the child, meet the children where they are in their development, and differentiate instruction based on each child’s needs.
Jillian Simons is a dedicated teacher with over 20 years of experience working with K–7 students as a classroom teacher and reading specialist. She has taught in private, charter, and public schools, and is deeply committed to helping emergent readers develop a lifelong appreciation for reading.
