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Kamilla Kirpalani

What I do in Montessori

The principal of Little Explorers Montessori Plus School, Accra, Ghana. Chairwoman of West Africa Montessori Association.

What Montessori means to me

The research and discoveries made by Dr. Montessori through observation of the child are more applicable today than ever before. Montessori is a complete developmental base so much needed by the child.

What I love most about what I do

I am privileged to share in the wonder of the child and the journey of discovery she/he lives every day.

Three words that describe me

Determined, steadfast, optimistic.

Favourite Quote from Maria Montessori

“He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so he possesses little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the path of joy and love.”

 

Kamilla is a dedicated Early Childhood specialist with over 20 years experience in the field of Early Childhood education and psychology. She began her career with a local Montessori School in Accra as Head of school, where she served for 2 years and gained invaluable experience. Inspired by the Montessori philosophy of respect for the child as an exceptionally intelligent human being and by her own love for children, Kamilla decided to open her own school: an environment where the child is the most important person and his or her needs are fully catered to. In April 2007, she co-founded Little Explorers Montessori Plus (LEMP) School, Accra with Karine McVeigh. Kamilla has been the Principal and Academic Director since the school’s inception.

Kamilla’s conviction and passion are to promote the holistic wellbeing of all children, particularly the pupils under her care and those in disadvantaged situations. She is an avid child advocate and believes in working in synergy with the parent community as well as her colleagues to raise awareness and effect change on child care issues.

Highlights of Kamilla’s career achievements thus far:

  1. Under her tutelage, LEMP has successfully completed three Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board, UK inspections and one IQAA Montessori inspection with great success.
  2. In 2021,Kamilla has launched a specialized Montessori infant Nido, which allows for in situ Nanny training.
  3. In 2021, amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic, Kamilla founded the Child Relief Fund that serves the Burn’s Pediatric Ward in Korle Bu Hospital, Accra. Kamilla has campaigned continuously to raise awareness of this project in Accra.
  4. In 2017,Kamilla designed a state of the art Montessori Early Childhood environment with the blessing of the IQAA,SA and moved LEMP onto the grounds.
  5. In 2014, she collaborated with UNICEF, Ghana, to create an Infant Care room as a benchmark of Optimal Development for Infant Environments.
  6. In 2011, Kamilla was appointed as Team Coordinator for the Ghana Government initiative of KG Enhancement program, in conjunction with DFID and Cambridge education. 
  7. In 2009, she co-founded Ghana Montessori International Teacher Training Center as an overseas satellite house for Montessori Center International, UK, where she rose from the rank of Chief Lecturer to Chief Examiner. 
  8. Throughout her career, Kamilla’s articles have been published in Montessori Monthly UK, the widely read educational magazine, as well as online for the popular parenting blog Everythingbaby.com. She was also the regular feature writer for the parenting column in Enjoy Accra magazine.

Kamilla is currently furthering her studies in Prenatal and Infancy Advocacy and Care, believing that she still has much to learn. And the more she learns, the more she imparts on her colleagues and beloved pupils.