Staff Spotlight: Marwa Mazloum
Marwa Mazloum is a Children's House teacher at West Side Montessori's Perrysburg campus. Marwa is passionate about demonstrating and teaching resilience to younger generations—helping them face challenges and overcome failures with grace, perseverance, and a positive mindset—is essential for their long-term success.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself—your background, interests, dreams, and hobbies?
I am a Lebanese-American, raised to pursue the American Dream while deeply honoring Middle Eastern traditions and cultural values. Throughout my life, I searched for something that would align with my passions and allow me to represent my heritage, which emphasizes honor, respect, generosity, faith, self-discipline, love, patience, responsibility, and more. These values are foundational to personal growth and development, shaping us into the healthiest versions of ourselves.
I am a Lebanese-American, raised to pursue the American Dream while deeply honoring Middle Eastern traditions and cultural values. Throughout my life, I searched for something that would align with my passions and allow me to represent my heritage, which emphasizes honor, respect, generosity, faith, self-discipline, love, patience, responsibility, and more. These values are foundational to personal growth and development, shaping us into the healthiest versions of ourselves.
I never imagined that I would be in my thirties with a family and a career that allows me to fully live these principles. I feel incredibly blessed to be the mother of two—soon to be three—and to have worked with children for over a decade. My journey in Montessori education played a pivotal role in inspiring me to embrace motherhood. My greatest accomplishment to date is living a life where my personal and professional passions align. When I’m not in the role of “mom,” I spend my time planning for the next moment I’ll be with my children.
What’s your favorite Montessori quote?
“The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” — Maria Montessori
What’s your favorite Montessori quote?
“The greatest gift we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” — Maria Montessori
What is the most important life lesson you’d like to share with your students? (How is this conveyed in your classroom?)
One of the most important life lessons is the value of resilience. Challenges are inevitable, setbacks will happen, and failures are part of life. Demonstrating and teaching resilience to younger generations—helping them face challenges and overcome failures with grace, perseverance, and a positive mindset—is essential for their long-term success.
One of the most important life lessons is the value of resilience. Challenges are inevitable, setbacks will happen, and failures are part of life. Demonstrating and teaching resilience to younger generations—helping them face challenges and overcome failures with grace, perseverance, and a positive mindset—is essential for their long-term success.
In the classroom, I encourage students to approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as barriers. I help them reframe mistakes and difficult experiences as stepping stones toward their greatest personal growth. By fostering a mindset where failure is seen as part of the journey, I guide students to build confidence and adaptability. These lessons in resilience shape them into problem-solvers, ready to navigate an unpredictable and complex future.
What do you love about Montessori?
What I love most about Montessori is the mixed-age classrooms. These environments eliminate disparities, promote peer-to-peer learning, and foster social and academic development. They also support emotional well-being and cultivate teamwork skills—qualities that are invaluable in adulthood, both professionally and personally.
What would you tell a prospective family about West Side Montessori?
West Side Montessori is a family-oriented educational community that engages and inspires children to discover their full potential.
What do you love about Montessori?
What I love most about Montessori is the mixed-age classrooms. These environments eliminate disparities, promote peer-to-peer learning, and foster social and academic development. They also support emotional well-being and cultivate teamwork skills—qualities that are invaluable in adulthood, both professionally and personally.
What would you tell a prospective family about West Side Montessori?
West Side Montessori is a family-oriented educational community that engages and inspires children to discover their full potential.
Toledo Campus
Perrysburg Campus
West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.