Sunset Hills Montessori School

Founder

Eileen Minarik 1949-2023

About our Beloved founder

Eileen has been actively involved in the Montessori Community since 1974 as a parent, assistant teacher (Primary), lead teacher (Primary, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary), as a teacher trainer and consultant (Primary) and as a grandparent (since 2007.) As a parent she helped to establish the Montessori program at Green Hedges School in 1976.

Eileen founded Reston Montessori in 1984, which she operated out of her home for two years. In 1986 she took on a partner and they worked together for eight years. In 1994 Eileen sold Reston Montessori to her partner and founded Sunset Hills Montessori. Eileen has welcomed children of former students to the school and also has added former students to the SHMS staff.

In 2014 Eileen retired as a lead teacher but was in continual contact with the SHMS Administration.  During the Pandemic Eileen served as a resource teacher for the Elementary teachers.

For most of the history of SHMS she greeted each child every morning and was happy to return in September 2023 as a greeter several days a week.

Eileen was a voracious reader who loved her NOOK and Kindle e-readers as well as “real” books. She also loved arts and crafts, especially paper crafting. As well, Eileen was a major Harry Potter fan and prized her collection ; she had the 1st book in 14 languages.