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Hillside Montessori’s Pat Headrick is heading off to retirement after 40 years of teaching.

During her four decades in education, most of her time has been teaching the littlest kids at Hillside Montessori School in LaGrange.

Headrick started teaching at Hillside in the primary classroom, working as an assistant part-time, before moving to lead their then-new toddler program.

“When the administration decided we would have a toddler class, I was all about helping to get that started and happy to lead that,” Headrick said. “I have my toddler Montessori certification and all the age groups. That’s where my passion is. It’s working with the youngest children.”

At Hillside Montessori, the toddler program teaches students from 18 months to age three. They are the youngest kids at Hillside. Headrick said some Montessoris offer infant programs, but Hillside doesn’t offer that yet.

Headrick said that over her 40 years at the school, the teaching methods haven’t changed much, but the kids have.

“The Montessori principles and philosophy have remained solid. They’re tried and true, and nothing has changed,” Headrick said. “We have seen some differences in the behavior of the children, and I think that from everything I’ve read and just from talking to other educators, this is not unique to a Montessori education environment.”

“Kids have different learning styles than what we saw 40 years ago. But the great thing about Montessori is that we follow the child. So even though I might have a class of 12 children, each one, no matter what their learning style is, we’re going to follow the individual child and try to provide what that child needs in our environment,” Headrick said.

Although she just spent this last week helping with the school’s summer camp, Headrick says she plans to be fully retired.

“I will stay affiliated with the school. I will volunteer there as needed. And also, the other toddler guides know that when they need someone to fill in for them, they can call on me,” Headrick said. “I have a passion for Montessori. I love to see the growth that takes place, not only in children, but in the adults who are in the environment.

“[In Montessori], everything is very purposeful. The people, whether it’s a teacher or administration or the children, people, are going to grow in that environment,” she said.

Headrick was thankful for her opportunity to guide the little ones of LaGrange and Troup County for so many years.

“I would like to add how grateful I am for having had the opportunity not only to work with so many children, but to work with parents as well, because it really is a team effort. I find that when parents choose Montessori for their child, they’re going to be involved, and they’re going to seek your advice, and implement Montessori in their homes as well. That just makes it a win-win situation for everyone,” Headrick said.

“I also have gratitude for all of my colleagues. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing individuals, and I’ve learned from them, and it’s just been a true privilege,” she said.