The Red Hill Montessori School is owned and operated by Leila A. Charlesworth, a clone of founder, Maria Montessori. The children affectionately call her Miss Leila. It is located on 13 Mile Road, just West of Northwestern Highway. Many years ago in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this headline appeared in the newspapers, "Teacher of the Future; Reading Process in the Year 2000 Hear and Now."

Leila, Brazilian born and degreed in Education in her home country, also studied Psychology in England. She is Montessori-certified in both Brazil and the U.S. "I've never had an ordinary life," she states matter of fact, dark eyes dancing above her dress of happy colors.

She received her international recognition in her late 20's for a doll created as an intermediate object to teach reading to children less than five years. "Reading is as natural as eating, walking, or talking," Leila flashes her sparkling smile. Creating and presenting a play called, "Do You Know the Color of Your Eyes." brought more notoriety for Leila in Sao Paulo. Her community likened her to Mother Theresa.

The Montessori method was founded at the turn of the century by an exceptional Italian educator and physician, the first Italian woman to receive a medial degree when she graduated from the University of Rome in 1896. Her educational system is designed to aid children in the development of intelligence and independence through motor coordination, concentration, communication, and responsibility for their decisions; nothing happens at random. They learn through exploration, repetition, abstraction, and manipulation. Classes are structured and organized for discipline and purpose. The Montessori method regards children with respect and dignity for their choices.

Decades of experience, loving, creative, intense, dedicated, with great stamina- all describe Leila Charlesworth who believes teachers looking for excellence pursue Montessori. She and her family have been in the States since 1985. Leila took her training in '87, taught four years at this facility, then bought it from the previous owner, who sensed when she hired her that Leila would become the next owner.

In Sao Paulo, a city of 15 million, enrollment in her school went from 7 to 400 in four years. Since she has owned the facility in Farmington Hills, enrollment has skyrocketed. Expansion plans are underway for an upper elementary facility.

Her children, Daniel, Victoria, and David, are blessed to have their mother, this lovely lady, and outstanding educator with a heart reaching out to the 21st century.

History Written By: Gail Cullen