We Are VdM: Jaxson Morrow
The very best part of Villa di Maria is our people. Our community of families, faculty and staff is something to be proud of. In this series, We are VdM, we highlight the energies, talents, humor and wisdom of some of our amazing people. Today, we’ll get to know Jaxson Morrow, Lower Elementary (Checkerboard) classroom assistant. Wherever he goes, Jaxson brings his friendly vibes and keen intuition with him. A favorite with the campers, we knew Jaxson was a keeper ever since we first met him as a counselor at our summer camp. We couldn't be happier about his return to VdM, now as a classroom assistant, where his warm and supportive presence enliven the environment daily.
What brought you to Montessori/Villa?
What brought me to Villa was first starting at Camp Pegnita. I worked two summers at Pegnita, and it was the best time at a job I ever had. I looked forward to going every day. I genuinely had so much fun, coming up with games, doing the all-camp events and just getting to know the kids. When I decided to take a gap year from school during my Spring 2023 semester I reached out to Ms.Megan, one of our camp directors, to see if Villa had an opening for the next school year. My aim was to gain experience in the classroom to see if I wanted to pursue education for my degree, but also to experience the Montessori approach first hand. Before all this, however, I went to high school at Rockwood Summit in Fenton. Next, I went to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering at Mizzou, where I discovered that I didn't like math as much as I should have for any engineering profession.
What is something you love about the Montessori approach?
My favorite thing about the Montessori approach is the fact that almost all of the learning is hands-on, something that I so wished I had when I was in school. I specifically remember one day when Ms. Megan demonstrated the Rack and Tubes lesson for me, and I was mind-blown by how easy it was to understand and how it connected with other lessons such as the Bead Frame or the Checkerboard. Another aspect of Montessori that I think is amazing is the amount of independence each child gets for their education, the ability to choose what they want to work on, and how they can naturally progress at their own rate academically is so fascinating to observe.
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
My favorite thing to do on the weekend is to spend time with my friends and family whether it's playing a video game with my little brother and sister, going to dinner at my parent's house, or visiting my friends in Columbia.
What was your favorite book as a child and why?
My favorite book as a child was The Hunger Games. I've always been a huge fan of dystopian worlds, and these books have amazing world-building to where I could feel like I was there and experience the world.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up I wanted to be a variety of things. I was interested in everything! I would look up at the stars and want to be an astronomer, watch a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef, and then decide to be a marine biologist. I'd see the mountains and want to be a geologist or visit a big city and want to be a city planner or an architect. I never could make up my mind until now.
What is a favorite memory/quote so far from the classroom?
So far this year I have many, many quotes and memories from the classroom. My prime source of comedy is from the classroom. So far this year the best quote was from subbing in an upper elementary classroom when one of the children came up to me and said “Mr.Jaxson, did you know farts are like feelings, if you hold them in they can hurt, and if you let them out they can be messy.” Promptly after I heard that, it became my life motto. Truly I have never heard anything more accurate in my life and it made me laugh.