● A STRONG COMMUNITY
More than a school
Rooted in a community that has existed for over 10 years, GROW is currently held and guided by Davide, owner of Il Roveto, together with a committed group of parents who actively support the pedagogical, social and economic sustainability of the project.
What unites this community is a shared intention: to raise children within a slower, more conscious rhythm of childhood, rooted in Montessori principles and outdoor education, while remaining connected to the Italian public education system.
● FROM THE WORLD TO SICILYThe GROW community is a melting mix of local and international families and teachers, bringing together 12 nationalities from around the world. Many of the children grow up in multilingual homes, creating a naturally diverse and culturally rich environment.
● WHAT WE CENTERChildren-First
As in Montessori, everything comes back to one question: what is best for the children? From how a classroom is arranged to how a conflict is resolved, every decision at GROW — big or small — is guided by this. Our activities, rhythms and choices all put the child at the center.
Diversity & Inclusion
Sicily has long been a crossroads of cultures, and GROW carries that spirit forward. Families and educators here come from over a dozen countries, each with their own language and traditions. We work to make space for that diversity, so every family feels genuinely included.
Care & Nature Connection
We care for the land the way we'd want it to care for us. Living inside a nature reserve comes with a simple habit: if you see a plastic bottle in the bushes, pick it up. That same responsibility extends to one another, to the animals who share this place, and to the materials that make up our project.
Respect and Non-Violent Communications
We meet each other, children and adults alike, with respect and honesty. Disagreements are part of life together, and we work through them with non-violent communication: naming what we feel and need, listening without judgment, and choosing words that build understanding.
Meet your educational team
Ronald
Senior AMI Montessori Guide
Elementary (Fiori di Campo)
Following the Child's pace is my guiding principle. Ronald is a trained and experienced AMI Elementary Guide [6-12yrs] and comes from India. He is proud to belong to a family of Teachers as his Mother, Wife and two Sisters' have all been in the Teaching profession for long.
Ronald also has a Bachelor's degree in Science and majored in Chemistry and enjoys teaching Mathematics and Science. In his free time he loves reading, travelling, listening to music and is comfortable spending time with pets and animals. Ronald is committed to creating a wonderful learning environment for the children under his care.
Damiana
Montessori Assistant/Creative and Nature Educator
Elementary (Fiori di Campo)
Degrees in Educational Sciences (early childhood) and in Flute Performance, with classical studies and theatre training; over a decade teaching music and learning support in educational settings around Palermo, followed by teaching roles in alternative and homeschooling projects near Noto. Creator of her own hands-on educational projects in textile crafts, plants and eco- materials, and kitchen gardening for children aged 5–10.
Maria Rosa
Senior AMI Montessori Guide
Children’s House (Germogli)
«On every teacher and every parent, I urge not great instruction, but humility and simplicity in dealing with small children. Their lives are fresh, without rivalry or external ambitions, it takes so little to make them happy, to let them work in their own way towards the normal development of the men and women they will be.» Maria Montessori
María Rosa brings nine years of experience as an AMI-trained Montessori Directress (2.5–6), having guided children across schools in Spain, the UK, Poland, Japan, and Puerto Rico, alongside additional training in Assistants to Infancy and a deep grounding in yoga, positive discipline and non-violent communication.
Originally from Spain and with a background in physical education and sport, she found her calling in Montessori philosophy in 2012 and has been dedicated ever since to creating peaceful, holistic environments where children can lead the way.
Valentina
Montessori Assistant/Outdoor Educator
Children’s House (Germogli)
Valentina's path into education began as a desire to accompany children in their growth and as a search for a way of teaching truly in tune with her values. After a Diploma in Social Sciences, she built her experience across educational and school services, including a role as an Autonomy and Communication Assistant that deepened her understanding of inclusion, individual needs and supporting each child's own path.
Discovering GROW marked an important turning point: here she found an approach that feels deeply her own: rooted in relationship, listening, respect for each child's pace, and learning through experience, discovery, and nature. She continues training in methods aligned with this vision, including the Gordon Method, Non-Violent Communication and the Pedagogy of the Snail, believing an educator never stops learning.
What she loves most are the simplest moments: an unexpected question, a discovery in the woods, a look that says "I did it." For Valentina, educating means walking alongside children with respect and authenticity, always searching for answers together with them.
Elora
Montessori Educator Intern
Children’s House (Germogli)
Elora is an environmentally-minded educator inspired by the Montessori method and nature-based learning, with a focus on supporting children's autonomous development through experience and exploration.
Her path has taken her from environmental education at Parco Nord Milano leading nature workshops and summer camps for young children to teaching Italian and English to students with special educational needs at a school in Denmark, alongside a degree in Pedagogy and volunteer work supporting local communities in Portugal.
Meet your Stewards
Alizé
Steward of Community
Davide
Steward of Place
Eugenio
Steward of Finances
Junis
Steward of Communication
Riccardo
Steward of Space
Verdiana
Steward of Roles
