Asha Sharma has a B.S. in Chemistry, Zoology and Botany from Lal Bahadur Shastri Government College, Kotputli, University of Rajasthan and a Certificate in Nutrition and Child Care from IGNOU. She also received training in Electron Microscope from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. She has studied Sanskrit for 10 years and she is a Sanskrit teacher at Maharishi School.
“I am fortunate to be a part of the Maharishi School faculty. Students get the best from Eastern and Western cultures in this school. The vibration of Sanskrit recitation develops the thinking processes of students and is a source of creativity and development. Students learn the way to success without stress. Teaching here is a joy and fun.”
Kathleen Siemsen has been teaching at Maharishi School since 1982, when her family moved from Ames, to Fairfield, Iowa. "I guess you could say my first teaching experience was when I was attending a one-room country school near Newton, Iowa. As I grew, I spent many hours helping the younger students learn to read, memorize their math facts, and I enjoyed doing whatever I could to foster their learning. That was a valuable experience that shaped my choice of what to do in life."
Ms. Siemsen received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Iowa State University in 1968 and her first teaching job was in Mitchellville, Iowa where she taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. She also taught in an Ames preschool for several years, and volunteered in an elementary school there, while raising her family.
Kathleen's four children all attended and graduated from Maharishi School. She loves the fact that currently two of her grandchildren are enrolled at the school. Most of her experience at Maharishi School has been in teaching 3rd and 4th graders, but she did have a brief stint, early on, as a preschool teacher, followed by being the Lower School office manager.
"After four decades of teaching, I still find that with each passing year I discover new things, learn invaluable lessons, and cherish the time I spend with these bright, young souls. I feel very blessed indeed."
Meg Vigmostad has been a teacher at Maharishi School since August of 1982, with a break from spring of 1985 until February of 1987. She taught preschool, kindergarten, was a resource teacher for 6 years and now teaches Intermediate Girls. Meg taught in Montessori Schools on the East Coast, West Coast, and in St. Louis for six years before coming to Fairfield. She has training in AMI Montessori in Philadelphia from 1971 to 1972 and received her AMI Certification. She worked in orphanages in Irvington and Peekskill, New York for a year before Montessori training and graduated from St. Mary's Dominican College in May of 1970 with BA in education. She is the proud grandmother of Sam, one, and Vidya, ten months.
Armando received his Bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from Georgetown University. Armando’s experience in working with children includes two years as a substitute teacher at the Children First, Inc. child care centers in Washington, DC and Maclean, VA, as well as three years as the School Age Teacher and five years as the Director at the Bright Horizons Irvine Child Care Center in Irvine, CA. He has worked in (and supervised) classrooms with children from 3 months to 12 years of age and has maintained a nationally accredited center under NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).
Armando understands that Consciousness-Based education philosophically promotes what is important in childhood development and parallels many leading standards for child-centered curriculum. Fostering growth and learning naturally—through an enriching environment and a child’s curiosity and passion—ensure a successful program. Armando and his wife, Laura, moved from California to Fairfield in June 2011 to further their knowledge of Maharishi’s teachings and to raise their children here.
Pioneers Medal at Track & Field
Sports News Varsity Track: The girls picked up a number of medals at this week’s meets: Essa Johnson had a 1st place in the long jump...
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Maharishi School Students Take Top Awards at Destination Imagination Sub-State Tournament
Maharishi School sent eight teams to Ames on March 3 to compete at the Iowa Sub-State Destination Imagination (DI) Competition. Six of those teams placed first,...
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