This month, we’re proud to spotlight Regina Swerts, a Lower Elementary teacher at White Rock Montessori whose passion for student independence and discovery has shaped classrooms for two decades. With 20 years in education — spanning continents and grade levels — Regina brings both global perspective and deep Montessori roots to her work with students in Grades 1–3.

Below, she shares more about her journey, her philosophy, and where you might see her around Lakewood.

How long have you been in education? What grade levels have you taught? I am in my 20th year of education. I started in The Netherlands teaching for the Department of Defense at the high school level. I then spent 14 years in Montessori Upper Elementary (Grades 4–6) before moving to Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3) for the last four years. I’ve been at White Rock Montessori for eight years.

What is your teaching style? I love to guide students toward discovering answers for themselves. I want them to think independently and learn how to find solutions on their own. In Montessori, we encourage students to follow their passions, develop independence, and understand their role in our global community.

What is your favorite part about teaching? The “aha” moments. When a student’s eyes light up and you can see their wheels turning as they connect new ideas to concepts they’ve already learned.

Do you have a role model or guiding quote? Maria Montessori is my role model. She believed in empowering children and giving them a strong sense of worth, knowing our future is in their hands. I also love this quote: “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” It reminds me to put my faith and trust in the children.

What do you enjoy outside the classroom? I love gardening. There’s something incredibly joyful about starting plants from seed and watching them grow into something you can harvest. Tomatoes are my favorite — though I always run out of space because I want to grow too many varieties! I also donate extra plants to our school garden.

Where might we run into you in the community? You’ll likely find me at Lochland’s, grabbing coffee at White Rock Coffee on my way to work, browsing at Scents and Succulents, or enjoying Taco Joint — my absolute favorite.

From cultivating independence in the classroom to tending tomatoes in her garden, Regina Swerts continues to nurture growth wherever she plants her roots — and Lakewood is better for it. 🌱