Montessori In the Pines

Ms Lisa and the school she has created, Montessori in the Pines, is a beautiful example of a true Montessori environment. Our son is shy in groups and she has helped him adjust and come out of his shell socially. She provides loving guidance and encourages him to explore materials outside of his immediate interests. I was shocked when he spontaneously started reading at 3! The animals at the school are also a huge added benefit for our son. He loves animals, and Bun Bun (the rabbit) and the chickens really help him relax and feel at home.

Having known Lisa Maruna for over a decade now, I can say without hesitation that she is one of the kindest, most generous, and most caring people I have ever met. I've followed her career through her teaching posts in the Bay Area to starting Montessori in the Pines in Bend. I remember the tremendous care she took years ago when she was planning what is today a rare and wonderful educational experience for the kids in her school: infusing their learning with her immense love of the great outdoors and her personal commitment to each child's growth. You should visit the school and talk to Lisa yourself, you'll know immediately what a fantastic place MITP is.

I do not even have words for the nightmare of an experience we had here. I am the mother of the other child involved in the traumatic event described in the previous post(please read!) I ignored my intuition for 5 whole months and in the end my child paid a horrific price! Every school day(3 days a week) I would dread him going to MITP but I did not know why until recently when this traumatic event took place. I thought I was possibly being overprotective and was just uncomfortable with the newness of having my first child go to pre-school(I'm a stay at home mom so I have rarely had to leave him before this and when I did he was with daddy or nana) I learned a big lesson from this, to pay close attention to my gut feelings!! My intuition was right all along and that uneasy feeling was a signal that my son was NOT SAFE! My son has been seeing a therapist once a week and is doing really well processing all of this but I'm still heartbroken that this happened and I'm still in shock... I never could have imagined something so terrible happening at pre-school! My suggestion is for you to find a place where the teachers are warm and loving and the children are happy and flourishing!

All I have to say is, parents- Follow your gut feeling and be wary of the glowing reviews you see.

Montessori In The Pines has everything I look for in a school. The environment is warm and nurturing. We love the variety of educational games, art, science and outdoor activities. The teachers are tender and kind and our child thrived there.

I have been involved with Montessori in the Pines since I met Lisa two years ago. I knew her when we were putting the last layers of paint on the school and building the patio before the school opened. I remember how excited she was about creating an environment where her students can thrive in an outdoors environment. We helped Lisa find her classroom bunny, Bun Bun and watched her coordinate the play yard. Two years later, her organic garden has flourished as the kids learn how to plant, water and grow their own food. Bun Bun is provided with love from the children as they learn how to appreciate animals and take care of living creatures. I have even come in to help with an art show the kids took part in and the smiles on the children were genuine. Lisa's school is incredible and the kids are encouraged to thrive. Lisa built her school in order to help change the world and foster appreciation, love and learning into children at a young age. I'd say she is doing an excellent job!

I have known Lisa for years, and she is one of the nicest, most warm-hearted people I have ever met. Multiple times I have seen Lisa's students run up to her with excitement while walking around town with their parents, including one time just after the recent winter break when one of her students ran up to us and shouted "Teacher Lisa I miss you!" Lisa is truly passionate about teaching our youth how to become responsible, intelligent, and loving young adults, and it is people like her that make this world a better place.