Mother-Daughter Team Take Charge of Education

Ruth Jones, co-founder of Mead Montessori School in South Knoxville, has been an educator for over 40 years. And for the better half of that time, Ruth’s daughter, Ella, has been a big part of that educational experience.

“I have always been a part of my mom’s school community in some form or fashion,” says Ella.

Ruth, who started out as a high school art teacher, became a Montessori teacher after enrolling Ella into her first Montessori school while she was still a child. The decision would change the lives of both mother and daughter, with Ruth eventually going on to open Farragut Montessori School in 1987.

Ella officially began her own career as an educator while still in high school when she became an assistant at the school. From there, she went on to become a full-time teacher in 2003 when she took her first official teaching position in Blue Hill, Maine. Then, in 2005, she earned her Montessori training and Master’s Degree.

But it was not until 2007, when Ruth and Ella purchased the historic Mead School in South Knoxville, that their true collaboration began to take place. Ruth says that she and Ella have relied on old fashion family teamwork to develop the dormant building into a fully functional and growing school.

“Because we are a mother-daughter team, we are able to be really honest with each other and make decisions together that benefit the school in the best possible way,” Ruth says. “Plus, Ella offers fresh perspectives and ideas and I am very proud of all she has accomplished in our new venture.”

The business venture has also been made special by the fact that Mead Montessori is housed in Knoxville’s historic Mead School. Located ½ mile from Ijams Nature Center and two miles from downtown Knoxville, the historic Mead School has been a fixture of the Island Home neighborhood of South Knoxville since 1936.

“We are so happy to have found a home in such a beautiful and interesting building,” Ruth says.

Ella agrees, and even says that the renovation of the building helped deepen her bond with her mother.

“We have had to collaborate on so many aspects of the renovations and other areas of school development that we have became even closer than before,” she says.

Currently in its second year of operation, Mead Montessori School is Knoxville’s only Montessori school certified by the Association Montessori International. The school has 20 students ages 2 ½ to 6 and they will be expanding into toddler and elementary programs next year.

For more information about Mead, please visit www.meadmontessorischool.com.