Our Mission

the mission of the little village montessori is…

 ... to encourage development of the whole child by providing education based on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori for children ages three through six. Our program cultivates academic, social and foundational skills that encourage independent thought, awareness of environment, empathy for others and individual confidence. Our curriculum is designed according to children’s developmental needs and characteristics and establishes the intellectual, social, emotional and physical rigor needed to become a self-directed learner, creative problem-solver, curious and flexible thinker.

Our Staff

Dr. Chris Dockery, FoundeR and Educational Director

Little Village Director, Dr. Chris Dockery  is a mother, artist and educator.  She is a Professor of Art and Art education at the University of North Georgia and  has over 20 years experience in her fields of expertise. Chris founded The Little Village Montessori in a quest to bring Montessori to the North Georgia community, having been a Montessori child herself and desiring this experience for her daughter, Prynne Reason. Dr. Dockery has worked extensively in training art educators for both the traditional classroom as well as the alternative classroom. Her research explores experiential education through the making of things and her teaching and administrative philosophy embraces the Montessori approach on many levels in working with both children and adults. She holds degrees from Young Harris College, Clemson University and the University of Georgia. 

Mrs. Mya Kelley, Operations Director and Lead Guide

With over 20 years of teaching experience, Mya has worked with children between 18 months to 5 years old. She is passionate about early childhood education and implementing the Montessori method to guide young children through their development. Mya is a certified Montessori Early Childhood educator for children ages 3-6 through the North American Montessori Center. When not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, four children, and two dogs. Mya strives to make a difference in the lives of young children and considers herself fortunate to be able to continue to do so at the Little Village Montessori. 

Ms McKenzie Lewis, Assistant Teacher and Casita Director

McKenzie worked for 7 years at ESP (Extra Special People) in Athens, GA which is a camp for children with disabilities. For two of those seven years, she was in a leadership position overseeing at least 15 staff members and over 30 campers, leading groups, lesson planning, overseeing training and internships, teaching after school programs, coordinating family respite. She is certified through ACUMEN in working with children who  have behaviorally and medically complex needs. Additionally, she has worked in preschools in the Lumpkin County area. She has completed over 30 hours of training through DECAL Bright from the Start in early childhood and has more extensive experience working with children with a wide spectrum of divergent needs. At the Little Village she is the director of our after care program, Casita which brings a different flavor of celebratory play and open ended exploration time after a long day of learning work for our children. She brings a wealth of specialized experience to the Little Village.

Our Campus

The Little Village Montessori is located in the Georgia Mountain Unitarian Universalist Church in Dahlonega GA. Our sunlit classroom and open ended playground with pastoral views of the surrounding mountains are several of the lovely qualities of this welcoming space. The classroom is aesthetically designed for peaceful focus utilizing natural materials and neutral tones. Color and festivity are introduced into the space through the children’s artwork, plant life and the many festivities celebated throughout the year. We have a school garden where we grow local heirloom seeds and flowers for our dining table.  We are a short drive from downtown Dahlonega, the University of North Georgia Campus  and Hancock Park where the Farmers Market is held weekly. 

The officers, directors, committee members, employees, and persons served by this corporation shall be selected entirely on a nondiscriminatory basis with respect to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation.  It is the policy of the Little Village Montessori School not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, veteran’s status, political service or affiliation, color, religion, or national origin.