Montessori Entrepreneurs Have Appetite for Learning – and Earning

The Montessori method of education is rooted in personal development, helping students go beyond the basics to develop a love of learning that follows them for a lifetime. One channel for this process is the time-honored practice of starting and running a small business – an experience that no one has ever successfully put into a textbook.

At Joliet Montessori School (JMS) in Crest Hill, that lesson kicked off early for two girls in the Upper Elementary class. Meghan Girdick (5th grade) and Gracie Wozniak (6th grade) thought that it would be a good idea to raise some extra funds for class activities by catering a new lunch option for students all over the school.

Step 1: market research

It all began when Gracie asked Meghan if she’d help plan a class fundraiser. Meghan recalls, “Originally, we were thinking about selling sandwiches. We did many surveys in class and one response told us that Taco Tuesday would be a cool idea. It was an instant hit.”

Step 2: supply chain

“We surveyed the Mexican restaurants in the area that the students like best. We looked around for the best combination of low price and great quality, all in our local community.”

Step 3: setting up shop

This being their first foray into free enterprise, the girls have started with a limited clientele, the Lower Elementary class next door. Each Thursday, they collect orders and money from their hungry customers and email the orders to their supplier, El Burrito Loco in Crest Hill.

When Tuesday rolls around, classroom assistant Jacquelyn Huntley drives the girls to pick up the ingredients, which are laid out buffet style and served by Meghan and Gracie. Though early in the enterprise, the response has been strong, and the girls hope to fund a special classroom excursion with the year’s profits.

Step 4: building a future together

Gracie and Meghan have already learned a lot. About Taco Tuesday, Meghan says, “It keeps us really busy and it prepares us for the future, after school. We get practice handling money, talking to businesses, emailing back and forth, organizing orders, pickup and serving, too. It really feels good organizing something this big successfully.”

“And we really like helping out the class too, of course,” Gracie adds. “That’s why we do it!”

Entrepreneurship and Montessori education

Their teacher, Ashley Zupan, couldn’t be happier. “Building real-world business skills is an important part of the Montessori method,” Ashley says. “The older kids in the Adolescent Program also run some catering-style businesses with a couple of local restaurants, but I’m so proud of Meghan and Gracie taking on the challenge even before it becomes an official part of their education.”

Joliet Montessori School is the only dual-certified Montessori school in Will County with a range of curriculums for students from infancy through the 9th grade. To learn more about Taco Tuesday or the many other exciting things happening at JMS, visit their Facebook page. You can also learn more about the school here or Google @jolietmontessorischool.