About Us

Our History

Oceanview Montessori is a year-round, full-day preschool program that was founded in 1994, by Ronna Brodsley, in Berkeley, California. Early in her career, Ronna was fortunate to study under Dr. and Mrs. Claremont, students and contemporaries of Maria Montessori herself. They came to America under her auspices in order to establish a 5 year Montessori Teacher Training program in Santa Monica that Ronna attended. There were just 7 students accepted in her class!

After teaching in a big public school and many large Montessori schools, she had the opportunity to work in a small Montessori school. The contrast was startling. There was time for each child and administrative responsibilities were diminished. Everyone was more relaxed, and the school had the feeling of a small, bonded little community, almost like family. This was what she had been looking for! She opened her first small Montessori school after moving to San Diego in 1989, and when she moved back to the Bay Area towards the end of 1993, she relocated her school to the Oceanview area of Berkeley (hence the name…). Oceanview Montessori remained in Berkeley until the summer of 1999, when it was moved once again, this time to it’s current location in El Cerrito, California.

Ronna retired in 2007 after more than 40 years of teaching, at which point her son, Aaron, took over ownership of the school and head teacher duties. He remains as the director/head teacher.

Our Goal

All of OVM’s staff are here to guide your child and to direct his/her learning about different cultures in the world, and the role that appreciation of diversity and cultural understanding play in promoting world peace. That is truly our goal. We believe that all children deserve to be treated with respect and should be helped to achieve a strong, unshakeable sense of their own dignity and value. We are always aware that children need a stimulating, nurturing environment and a curriculum which will both challenge and encourage independent thinking. We want your child to begin to understand that learning is a fulfilling, lifelong experience.

Freedom vs. Discipline

The basis of Montessori’s method of education is the principal of democracy. She believed that children reach their potential when they are granted the most freedom possible without interfering with the rights of others. Freedom, in this sense, does not mean chaos or anarchy. Instead, it means the child should be free to move about, to make choices, to accept responsibilities which feel comfortable and to welcome challenges which are of interest. The children should be able to experiment and should feel okay about making mistakes because that is how we all learn. Discipline grows and develops when the child’s innate curiosity is tapped, when his/her interest is captured and when s/he is gently led to understand that just as he or she is valued and respected, so, too, must s/he respect and value others.