ABOUT ZIL
Reading the work of feminist theorists like bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Chandra Mohanty, and Gloria Anzaldua led me to teaching as a young adult. I wanted to help children learn about who they are and what it means to play and work in a community. The freedom and responsibility of the Montessori classroom offered the potential for supporting children in developing liberatory thinking.
I’ve worked in 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 6-12 classrooms in private, public, and charter Montessori schools. I’ve been a classroom assistant, aftercare teacher, lead guide, literacy specialist, and an administrator. Wearing all of these hats has led me to working with adults. I love supporting caregivers and educators in learning about Montessori and literacy and to feel confident implementing research-backed practices in their homes and classrooms.