K/1 Program
kvellanoweth@djusd.net
Hello! My name is Kelly Vellanoweth and I am a 2/3 grade teacher here at Birch Lane elementary school. I grew up in Sacramento where I enjoyed playing competitive soccer, club volleyball, recreational swimming, tennis, and skiing. Now I am busy taking care of my children; ages 8, 12 and 15. We also have five chickens, two dogs and a cat. I love to read, exercise when I can and spend time with my family.
My interest in Montessori began while I was in college. I attended Sacramento State University and worked at two different Montessori preschools as an assistant teacher. This was when I fell in love with Maria Montessori’s philosophy for teaching. In 2004 I graduated with a BA in Art Studio from Sacramento State University while also receiving my Montessori teaching credential from Hayward. Once I graduated I worked in a Montessori classroom until the birth of my first child, Emma. I stayed home to care for my daughter then went back to work teaching art part time at an elementary school in Sacramento. After having my second child, Jimmy, I went back to school and received my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a MA in education with a minor in Art. I then taught at the California Montessori Project in Carmichael until I had my third child, Annie.
In 2013 my family moved to Davis and I became a sub while also volunteering at my children’s schools for three years. After taking on a long-term teaching assignment here in Davis in a kindergarten class I realized how much I missed teaching Montessori and having my own classroom. I got a position at Birch Lane Elementary and have been teaching in the Montessori program for the past few years. Our program is amazing and I feel so fortunate to be working with my Montessori team of teachers, families and students!