Today we’d like to introduce you to LaShawn Payton.
Hi LaShawn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Faith that walks on water, which is sometimes hard for others to believe is how this all started. Over ten years writing the Vision and preparing to one day have a program where children can learn and thrive. This was a dream turned to reality. Putting my faith to action and watching God move on my behalf and stepping out on faith.
A dream that took over ten years to release I often wondered when would it finally happen. I would often collect Montessori material with my tax refunds because I kept telling myself one day you will have a Montessori program and you will need these materials. I kept this dream in the forefront of my mind for years.
Then one day, during Covid as I was driving by after work, I spotted the most beautiful playground covered in lush green grass, a play structure that had a twisty slide oh and one of those bright red domes to hang upside down from. It was a beautiful outdoor space. The only thing missing was children running around laughing and enjoying the beautiful play space. I told myself that would be a perfect place to have a school. So, I decided to call not even caring that I didn’t have any money saved to start a school. I just had a dream, experience, and passion for the Montessori pedagogy. I truly just took a huge leap of faith and hoped that the outcome would be good.
Now, here today almost five years in and watching the children enjoy a playground I often admired from a distance. This was the first school place I would pour all my skills into and create “A place where the natural love for learning” would happen. A place where community is built, families feel safe and children get a firm educational foundation to build upon. My son who has enjoyed this playground and experienced a Montessori education is thriving and loves coming to school everyday. This is one of the most scariest things I have ever done and I’m glad I did, as I see the families and children smiling and sharing with us how we have impacted their lives. We have an amazing team of professionals who lead with compassion and very knowledgeable of the Montessori approach, they support and make sure every student gets the best Montessori experience and reach their full potential.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The part that was smooth was getting the space and filling the class with materials. This was my favorite part, setting up the classroom space. The hard part was how do I fund this, where will the resources come from, how do I advertise on a budget, will families sign up. The worries of operational cost. I had NO money to fund such a big dream. I can remember meeting with the board of trustees of the church where we have the school, and I just shared my vision and they were very excited about what this could do for the community. A few days later they came back to me and it was unanimous decision to allow me to use the space for Heaven’s Best Montessori, LLC. I was so excited and couldn’t believe this was really happening.
Where do I get the money to pay for all this. I just remembered I was on my faith journey and trusting God would make it happen for me. Oh and he did, the resources came flooding in from everywhere. Student after student started enrolling and I started hiring staff members to help me develop this beautiful community.
Honestly, that was the toughest part, starting with no capital just faith. We would often pray for a boost in enrollment and it would happen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The work of an Educator specializing in the Montessori pedagogy. I have worked in private, public, and non-profit institutions throughout my years. My background is in Human Development. My main responsibility as the founder and Head of School is maintaining the day to day operations of the program we started with just primary level which expanded to lower elementary and we just recently expanded to offering care for Toddlers in the Montessori environment.
I am known for my genuine kindness and love for others especially children. I have been educating children for over 30 years. Heaven’s Best Montessori is known for how our program not only cares for the children but the family as a whole. Creating a sense of community where everyone matters and we are “A place where we foster the natural love for learning”. In my personal time I serve as a Young Adult Leader encouraging them to walk by faith. I am most proud of how much my son loves to go to school and church to learn. This community has been the best thing for us. I believe it’s because of the environment we have created that makes children truly feel confident and inspired.
What sets me apart from others is my compassion to be understanding to others needs. I love to sing and make up songs to the children and I am able to make up songs to make learning and transitions fun. It gives me such joy to see others smiling and trying to enjoy life even in the tough times. We all need a little joy in our days.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Everyday and everything is a risk. We often don’t realize that sitting in a chair is a risk, eating certain foods is a risk, going to sleep is a risk, tomorrow is not promised. We have to take a risk at the life you want to live.Taking a risk in business is a huge risk, but somebody has to do it. We will never know if we are capable of something if we don’t try. So many people have ideas and just won’t give it a try for various reasons. I would encourage everyone take the risk and do what you are destined to do, it can make a difference in the community and the people around you.
Starting this business was a major risk. Expanding to start the Toddler program was a risk. I had no idea about building plans, construction, contractors, and permits. It was a huge risk, but I would do it again and again.
Hiring contractors and trusting that they will do the work was stressful, but I trusted that I would be able to get through this by faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heavensbestmontessorillc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.heavensbestmontessorillc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DxpnDRgj5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
