Shortly after graduation, Ruby Sweitzer ’22 will be packing up her things and moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where she is excited to start a job as a Montessori teacher. “I feel lucky to have found a wonderful Montessori school that aligns with my vision of how students should be taught through exploration and positive discipline,” she says. “I will begin teaching full time in a mixed-age classroom of 3-to-6 year olds.”
When Sweitzer graduated from high school, she wasn’t sure exactly what she would study in college. “All I knew was that I wanted a job that would make me happy, and I really enjoyed working with kids,” she said. During a tour of UHart, she was introduced to a new program in Montessori education. “Having no idea what that was, I Googled it and found myself immersed in an alternative form of education that inspires children to create a love of learning.” Fast forward four years, and Sweitzer is the first undergraduate student to complete a BS in Early Childhood Education with a Montessori concentration.
UHart’s unique Montessori program enables students to earn a bachelor’s degree as well as a Montessori diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Montessori education follows the philosophy of Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori and focuses on the whole child, blending academics with social skills, life skills, the natural world, and joy in learning.
Like all students in UHart’s education programs, Sweitzer had classroom experience beginning in her first semester. Her placements included Annie Fisher Montessori Magnet School, Enfield Montessori School, CREC Montessori Magnet School, Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School, and Crystal Lake Elementary School.
“I was in the classroom freshman year and haven’t stopped since,” she said. “The education program at UHart is unlike other schools and the magnitude of experiences I had set the foundation for my career.”
Sweitzer credits many individuals for making an impact on her success, including her advisor Dr. Paige Bray who she calls “my biggest advocate and supporter.” She also thanks Education Department Chair Dr. Sheetal Sood for helping her in countless ways, including answering phone calls on Saturdays. Last but certainly not least, she also thanks her uncle, Provost Fred Sweitzer, for introducing her to the University of Hartford.
When asked her advice to other students, she says, “Soak up all the time you have, because in a blink college will be a memory. Cherish every minute with your friends and thank the people around you who have supported you.”
Ruby Sweitzer ‘22, Early Childhood Education, Montessori ConcentrationI was in the classroom freshman year and haven’t stopped since. The education program at UHart is unlike other schools and the magnitude of experiences I had set the foundation for my career."