our Founder

Meet Paula Joleen Doyle

Greetings, and thank you for your interest in Elements Montessori…I am the founder, director, leading early childhood guide, and hold a Masters of Education with a focus on Montessori.

My journey began nearly 20 years after high school graduation with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Massasoit Community College, followed by a bachelor’s degree while completing a dual certification program in elementary and special needs education at Curry College. It was at Curry that I first heard Dr. Maria Montessori’s name mentioned, albeit ever so briefly. After one dissatisfying year in public education, I took a teacher’s assistant position in a local Montessori school and was instantly impressed. The children (all between 2.9 and 6 years old) were calm, capable, confident, kind, courteous, respectful, AND they tidied things up and put them back where they belonged when they were done using them! I had never seen anything like it…and I fell in love.

I enrolled at the Northeast Montessori Institute where I received my Early Childhood credentials. I then went on to attend Endicott College and earn my master’s degree in education with a focus on Montessori. For my thesis project, I chose to research whether or not we, as “traditionally trained, American public school teachers” are  educating our children to live peacefully as adults. My literary review, entitled “Elements of Peace: A Look at Inner Peace and Education,” revealed that outside of the Montessori  communities, there was precious little on peace education for pre-school aged children.

My research inspired me to create a new curriculum, “Elements of Peace” written specifically for the Montessori Children’s House…and in 2008, the Elements Montessori School was born. The staff at Elements has an accumulated experience of over 60 years working with young children. We have created an environment that is warm and welcoming, flooded with natural light, and grounded by mutual respect and kindness. We embrace our children’s sense of wonder, foster their social, emotional, and academic growth while nurturing the peaceful spirit within.

We invite you, Boston’s South Shore to join us in celebration of the joy, wonder, and spirit of early childhood! Elements is in partnership with Montessori communities across the globe in our commitment to World Peace…One Child at a Time.