Welcome to our community
Growing Together Through Community
A homeschool learning community where families flourish through Montessori-inspired learning, parent partnership, and meaningful connections.
💙 Meet Our Family
What began as a small seed of an idea has grown into the heart of Montessori Homeschool Learning Center.
When our oldest daughter was three, she attended a Montessori preschool our family loved—but it simply wasn't sustainable for us financially. That experience planted a seed: What if families could experience the beauty of Montessori-inspired learning while having the freedom to create an educational journey that works for their family?
In 2010, we opened our home to children and families, creating a warm, welcoming environment centered around quality care, meaningful hands-on learning, and individualized support. As our own family grew and our journey into homeschooling unfolded, that original vision grew with us.
Today, as homeschooling parents of five children, we continue to open our home and learning community to families seeking a more personalized path—where children can grow with confidence and independence, parents remain an important part of the learning journey, and families find support, connection, and community along the way.
Meet Kathina
Founder & director
Hi, I’m Kathina—educator, homeschool mom of five, and founder of Montessori Homeschool Learning Center. My journey as both a parent and educator has shaped my belief that children should be supported as individuals, with their strengths recognized, their needs understood, and their learning allowed to unfold in meaningful ways.
As our family’s homeschool journey continued, two of our children were diagnosed with special needs. Those experiences deepened my passion for inclusive education and helped shape MHLC around hands-on learning, individualized support, parent partnership, and a place where every child can feel valued and capable.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a focus in Elementary Education, a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, and have completed graduate-level coursework toward a Master’s degree in Special Education. My background includes more than a decade in early childhood education and program leadership, along with experience supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs.
Today, I bring together my experience as an educator and homeschool parent with Montessori-inspired principles and a whole-child approach. Guided by my Christian faith and a heart for serving others, my hope is to walk alongside families—offering guidance, individualized support, and meaningful learning experiences that help children flourish.
🌿 Our Mission
Why We Exist
-EST. 2022
Our mission is to support homeschool families through Montessori-inspired learning, meaningful parent partnership, and individualized support—nurturing confident, independent children and a lifelong love of learning within a welcoming community.
Our learning community was established in 2022 and has continued to grow and evolve alongside the families we serve. After relocating to Merced, we became Montessori Homeschool Learning Center—a name that reflects our broader vision of supporting homeschool families beyond any one location. While our name and location have evolved, the heart behind our work has remained the same.
🌱 Our Vision
The Future We Hope to Create
We envision a welcoming community where families feel supported and encouraged throughout their homeschool journey—where parents are empowered with the confidence and tools to guide their children, and every child is free to discover their unique gifts, pursue their interests, and grow in independence, character, and meaningful life skills.
We hope every child leaves with more than academic knowledge—with a love of learning, confidence in who they are, compassion for others, an appreciation for the natural world, and a strong foundation for wherever life leads.
our approach
Our Philosophy
🌱 Educating the Whole Child
We believe every child is uniquely created with the ability to learn, grow, and contribute in meaningful ways. Education extends far beyond academics—it is the lifelong development of the whole child through meaningful relationships, purposeful work, hands-on discovery, and real-life experiences.
🤝 Parents as Partners
We believe parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Our role is to walk alongside families, providing Montessori-inspired learning environments, individualized guidance, and encouragement that empower parents to confidently lead their homeschool journey.
🌿 Following the Child
By honoring each child’s individual strengths, needs, interests, and pace, we create opportunities for curiosity to flourish and meaningful learning to unfold. Through independence, caring relationships, purposeful experiences, and connection with nature, we nurture children not only as learners, but as confident, compassionate, and capable individuals.