2021 Annual Appeal Ambassadors: Dr. Molly Seidler
Mountaineer Montessori began its 45th year of excellence and innovation in education this fall.
While many things have changed over the years–including program expansions and a new campus–our mission remains the same: creating a better tomorrow through service to the child today.
Founded in 1976, Mountaineer Montessori is West Virginia’s original and largest Montessori school, offering a premier, child-centered educational experience to 178 students ages Toddler-Middle School right here in the heart of Appalachia.
“Creating the Future, One Child at a Time,” the 2021 MMS Annual Appeal, provides essential funding that enables us to lead, adapt and meet the growing demand for superior academic options in our community and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers, problem solvers, community builders and visionary leaders.
Text mmsfuture to 76278 or visit the campaign platform to give now
As a part of the campaign, MMS students, families, teachers and alumni are sharing their Montessori stories and the impact they’ve had on their lives.
Molly Seidler, MD, with husband Greg Caughran, MD and son, Luca
How many kids get certified in CPR at age 10? Or get to hike the Grand Canyon on a field trip? The experiences, friendships, and lessons learned at MMS continue to impact me to this day and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend Montessori. Some of my most fond memories growing up are from my days at Montessori. I was lucky enough to go there from age 3 until 11. I used to beg the director to expand the school so I could stay until college.
I’m very much a visual learner and the hands-on methods utilized at MMS truly helped me learn the lessons being taught. I remember once I was struggling to understand an English lesson and went to my friend, Mira, to ask for help. She explained the lesson to me so clearly, only the way another child could. MMS gave us the freedom to learn from our peers, not just the teachers. When learning about cube roots I would build the cube and deconstruct it to find the root. When I was in junior high (in public school) and learning these concepts again in the traditional manner I would tap into my memories of Montessori to understand the lessons.
In college, I took the exact same music course as I did at Montessori and again was able to use the MMS lessons for that class. To this day I feel like my brain applies the MMS concepts and learning style to learn medicine.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many of my MMS classmates have excelled in life both professionally and personally. My classmates are now physicians, scientists, climate activists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, musicians, educators, and so many others have fantastic and interesting careers. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that when people are asked what my strongest trait is they say I am loyal. MMS taught us to respect our fellow man, work as a team, and lift up those in need. These are lessons you can’t learn from a textbook but must experience as part of a culture.
Now that I have a child of my own, I am even more grateful for MMS and the lessons of respect, creativity, and love of learning that was imparted on me. I hope I can pass on the MMS way to my son and help open his mind to be a strong, independent thinker who also has compassion for his fellow citizens.
Molly Seidler, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician at Charleston Area Medical Center
Residency-University of Kentucky
Medical School-Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Undergraduate- UNC Wilmington with BS in business with concentration in management & BA in communication studies
We invite you to create the future with Molly with your gift today…. text mmsfuture to 76278 or visit our campaign platform to give now.
