319-260-2208
Welcome to Prairie Rose Montessori School in Cedar Falls, Iowa!
I am so happy you have found your way to my website!
My name is Gretchen Koinzan
"Miss Gretchen"
I worked at Casa Montessori Preschool here in Cedar Falls for about 15 years. I first began my journey as a classroom assistant while my daughters attend preschool ( they are now finishing their Senior and Junior year at Cedar Falls High School). I fell in love with the Montessori style of teaching so I stayed after they moved on to grade school. I started to assist in teaching and then completed my Certification to teach ages 3-6yr from NAMC, North American Montessori Center. After teaching for a few years and teaching through the COVID pandemic I became the Director of Casa Montessori Preschool.
After a year of directing, the church that the school had been in for around 27 years was sold and torn down. This was a very sad time for our families, students and the neighborhood. The school board and I looked for a new location without success so they donated the school materials to Black Hawk YMCA. They now offer a Montessori program.
I felt this was my opportunity to open my own Montessori Preschool and create the happy, family atmosphere I love.
I am very passionate about having an environment where the staff, parents and students are all treated as family. We learn from each other and learn to care for each other. It truly does take a village!
Prior to moving to Cedar Falls with my husband and two young daughters I studied "Theatre" at the University of Lincoln in Nebraska. Then I worked in NYC as a professional Stage Manager, and many other theatre jobs. I had the opportunity to tour the country, work in Florida with the cruise line industry and do summer repertoire theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska with my father.
I truly love teaching preschool students and watching them grow and become independent, caring people. Helping them be creative and to think "outside" the box, that mistakes are okay, that is how we learn. The Montessori Method is about allowing each child to learn at their pace. The students are able to walk around the classroom, visit with friends and choose the work they want to do. The teachers guide them and teach them individual lessons as well as small group lessons.
I look forward to meeting new families and welcoming back families I have known for years!
"Let us treat them, therefore,
with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them"
- Dr Maria Montessori
6203 Chancellor Dr
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Convenient Cedar Falls Location
Prairie Rose Montessori is a brand new Montessori Preschool teaching children ages 2-6 years old. We are conveniently located in the Cedar Falls Industrial area. Between Hudson Road and HWY 58, just off Viking Road. We are located near TNT Gymnastics, Allison's Dance Studio, Several gyms/health clubs and just down the road from the Target and Walmart shopping areas.
New Beginnings
Turning a warehouse/office into a cozy and inviting Montessori School!
We share the building with Rapid Reproductions, a wonderful company that can create whatever printing needs you have. The owner of the building has been so helpful with the renovation of a former warehouse space. We are turning it into a safe, secure, cozy, and inviting Montessori Preschool!
This school has been about two years in the making, with so many ups and downs and obstacles in the way. Thanks to the support of my husband, my daughters, friends, former Casa Montessori families and many, kind people I have met along the way I am now able to open
Prairie Rose Montessori School, LLC in Cedar Falls!
Creating a home for Prairie Rose Montessori
Here are images of the building when it was first leased. As we make changes and upgrades you will be amazed at the transformation!
OUR NEW
MONTESSORI CLASSROOM
Our facility provides children with everything they need to feel happy and ready to learn!
- Bright classroom
- New furniture
- New Montessori works
- Indoor play area
- Cozy calming corner
- Classroom pets: bunny, fish and a leopard gecko
- New paint and flooring
- lots of space for the students to explore
- two newly remodeled bathrooms, one is ADA compliant
- Fire Alarm system that is connected to the Cedar Falls Fire Department
- Locking doors with emergency opening bar
- Security cameras and ring door bells
Natural Play Ground
Outdoor playground environments come in different shapes, sizes, and accessibility to nature. The most noticeable difference with a Natural Playground is it does not have large playground equipment on the site, but instead, it includes items such as grass, sand or a log tunnel and logs to balance on. Tree slices can be used to play games of hopscotch, creating a path to follow or for stacking.
Sensory activities that include planting a garden that children can water, touch, and smell. We will have a playhouse, sand area, wood play kitchen with pots/pans/spoons and access to water, and so much more. Natural wood benches and stumps for children to have moments of rest with their friends as they socialize about their adventures on the playground.
Prairie Rose Montessori will have a fenced in natural play area with trees, grass and plenty of nature to encourage young children to run, jump, and play games together. The possibilities are virtually endless on a natural playground.
Of course, play areas are also important for developing physical dexterity and good health.
