he glows

By Shelley Galbreath | Photo by Eva Toscos

Tyler Kaiser always knew he wanted to be a Montessori teacher, which is why he is attending Trine University in Angola working on a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Montessori Endorsement. Trine University is the first and only university in Indiana to offer this degree.

Kaiser said his grandmother, Donna Kaiser, has been an inspiration. She was a charter member of the faculty when Bunche Montessori School was implemented in 1991 by Fort Wayne Community Schools. She went on to be a teacher and trainer and to serve on the national board. While growing up, Kaiser was able to see firsthand how children’s lives can be changed by good leaders by not only his grandmother, but also by his parents, who are both teachers and coaches as well.

Kaiser and his two siblings attended Bunche Montessori, and he continued to Towles Montessori through the fifth grade and then he transferred north to attend Blackhawk Middle School and Snider High School. Kaiser enjoyed each school he attended and made many good memories along the way. “I really made great connections with my high school, middle school, and even elementary school teammates that I still have today,” Kaiser said. “And that is very special to me.”

Athletics were a big part of Kaiser’s childhood, with aquatic sports topping the list. “I grew up on the north side of Fort Wayne and spent most of my time at the pool a few years at Park Forest Swim Club before it closed, then many summers working and playing from 12 p.m. to close every day at Blackhawk Pool,” he said. While aquatic sports topped the list, Kaiser tried almost every sport, even doing four in high school, including baseball and tennis.

Kaiser said he’s always known being a Montessori teacher was in his future. “I love the freedom of a Montessori education. Children want to learn and are very curious. If you allow a student to explore in a way that is most comfortable for them, then great things can happen.”

While Kaiser admits going through stages of exploring other career paths, he always found himself going back to education. “My experience at Towles was so great that I knew then that that is what I wanted to do,” he said. “All of my teachers through my Montessori career Heather Fry, Jill Furniss, and Diana Crisler inspired me in different ways and to this day all three are very helpful and supportive in my endeavors.”

Kaiser is still quite active in aquatic sports. He is the head dive coach at Pocahontas Swim and Dive Club in Southeast Fort Wayne, the cohead coach for Prairie Heights High School Girls Tennis in LaGrange, and the swim coach for the Angola Wavemakers Swim Club in Angola. He also helps coach swim at Angola High School.

What are some of Kaiser’s favorite things? His favorite food? Kaiser said it’s probably pasta. “I love some good alfredo,” he said. When it comes to movies, it’s the Star Wars series. Favorite book? Kaiser said to this day it was a series he read in Middle School called “Michael Vey.” Favorite time of year? “I love summer,” he said. “Right in the heart of pool season. There is no better place to be.” a