History of MCHL
Decades of Montessori learning in Longview, WA.
History
Montessori Children's House of Longview was established in 2006, by Beth Shine. As an A.M.I. trained teacher with several years teaching experience, she had always dreamed of owning her own school.
Beth has worked in Montessori Schools since age nineteen, first as a teacher's assistant, later serving on a Montessori board of directors, and eventually taking her A.M.I. teacher training.
Beth offered to buy the materials from Klahowya Montessori Children's House, the forerunner to her school after twelve years in existence (1994-2006). Just as Montessori Children's House of Longview grew out of KMCH, KMCH grew out of New World Montessori Children's House, which served the area from 1983-1994. Beth worked in both schools; KMCH and New World were precursors to her school.
Building History
Our school building and Beth’s family have been a part of the Columbia Heights neighborhood for a long time.
Beth’s great Uncle Harlan and Aunt Doris Reinholdt had a grocery store in the school building many years ago in the 1950’s and 1960’s. They lived on Nevada drive for 70 years, and told stories about how they rarely made a profit with the store as Harlan would always let people in the neighborhood put things on credit when times were tough to feed their families.
Once Beth invited her great Aunt to come and read a story to the children one morning and she loved seeing how it looked as a school. She was a character. At that time she was in her 90’s (she lived to be 101!), and still living independently and driving.
It was December and she came wearing a Christmas sweater with lights, red and green plaid pants and jingle bell earrings. The children loved her and she was delighted to read to them.
The building was empty for a few decades before it was purchased by current building owner Jonell Kenagy for renovation of Klayhowya Montessori, which became Montessori Children’s House of Longview.
