Montessori preschool owner teaches remotely to students around the world.

Photo Essay by Max Gleiberman

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Inside the doors of Peace Arch Montessori Preschool, students are greeted with hand sanitizer and COVID-19 prevention posters. It’s quiet for a place usually filled with preschoolers.

Fawn Ventura, owner of the Blaine, Washington preschool, averaged 45 students before the pandemic. Now, she only has seven.

“In the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of parents wanted to enroll their kids in class. But two days before in-person classes started, a lot of parents had doubts,” Ventura said.

Ventura is doing things her own way when it comes to teaching during the pandemic: remotely and in-person.

At first, Ventura was not confident in learning something new while adapting to the new normal. The only government assistance provided to her was the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness for her in-person school. Additional support came from her family, community and parents of her students.

“I was struggling at first being able to give attention to each student and help them interact, have fun and be happy,” Ventura said. “Let them have fun in a safe environment, while relieving the stress from the already hectic times we’re in.”

During the first month of lockdown, Ventura only taught her local students. This changed when she asked Rutchel Hafich, her friend and school assistant, if she knew any parents seeking out online classes for their kids.

Hafich said she had family and friends in the Philippines and Thailand who could benefit from online learning. Ventura began international Zoom classes, with students from Canada, Central America, Europe and Asia.

“She is just doing it out of the kindness of her heart, teaching remote learning and offering a free once a month global class for students around the world,” Hafich said.

Dealing with different time zones and curriculums can be exhausting. Ventura’s schedule consists of four daytime classes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Canadian and American students, then one class in the evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for students in Asia and Europe.

Once a month, Ventura has a charity class for all of her international students. “It is so lovely they get to see friends all over the world,” Ventura said. “They’re just so happy to connect with others and so open to learn.”

Ventura creates lessons, crafts and activities for remote learning and in-person classes. She makes sure every student is able to participate, even driving learning packets to some students’ houses.

“I create some of my own learning packets and use others I found online or from other schools with reliable sources,” Ventura said. “Students have different needs, [like] tracing and drawing, [and] reading abilities. I have to make sure the learning packets I use can suit the age group or needs of all the students.”

She focuses on four subjects: language, math, geography and arts. Students learn about layers of the earth, landforms and even the heart chamber through arts and crafts. Ventura labels different functions and parts on the cutouts she makes. She even finds a way to do physical education through games, movement and exercise.

“They will be honest and say this is boring, but I don’t take it personally. Rather, I see it doesn’t work and just try something else. It’s a new way of learning,” Ventura said.

Ventura says she found a whole new enjoyment in teaching and plans to continue both in-person and remote learning.

“It is a blessing at the same time,” Ventura said. “Allowing me to teach and connect with children all over the world.”

“I feel like when I get into the Zoom, I go into a different world with different energy in each class. Even though I’m tired, I’m happy and I love it — it’s my life,” Ventura said.