Stephen Mosier/Courtesy photo
PONDEROSA MONTESSORI NEWS RELEASE
Stephen Mosier, a resident of White Rock, NM is retiring from Ponderosa Montessori School after 24 years of amazing, selfless service. He is known to all of his students as Mr. Mosier or Mr. M. “Mr. Mosier was absolutely the best, most engaging teacher you would ever be lucky enough to have,” said Kaitlyn Seitz-Pruitt, one of his past students. And Karly Seitz-Pruitt echoed those words, adding, “Yes! And Mr. Mosier is the greatest storyteller and loves to weave those sitting around him into the story!”
Mr. Mosier attended Marquette University in Milwaukee from 1980–1984, where he earned an Honors Bachelors of Science in physics and continued on to the University of Iowa from 1984–1988. He began his teaching career in 1983 when he worked as a Physics Teachers Assistant at Marquette University. From 1984–1987, he taught Modern Astronomy at the University of Iowa. His journey at Ponderosa Montessori began in 2000 as a teacher assistant in the transition room at Sage Montessori in White Rock. Sage Montessori transitioned into Ponderosa Montessori, and in 2001, he became an intern in the primary classroom. In 2002, Mr. Mosier became the lead teacher in a primary classroom and worked there until 2006. He then moved on to the elementary classroom as an assistant until 2009, when he became the lead teacher. Mr. Mosier served two stints as Director of Ponderosa Montessori in 2016–2017 and continues to fill in as Director when needed.
Mr. Mosier received his Montessori Certification in 2002 and attended the Montessori Teacher’s College in San Diego from 2007–2008. Not only was he a Lead Teacher at Ponderosa, but he trained teachers in Mathematics in the National Center for Montessori Education (NCME)-New Mexico in Los Alamos from 2005–2009, and became a trainer at the New Mexico Center for Montessori Education (NMCME) in Corrales, NM from 2014–2016.
Mr. Mosier is also known throughout the community for his leadership role in Boy Scouting after his sons began scouting in 2002. Mr. Mosier has played many roles in Boy Scouts just as he has at Ponderosa Montessori: he served in a number of positions for Cub Scouts Pack 20 and Boy Scouts Troop 122, and was active with Post 20 and the Order of the Arrow Sioux Chapter. He is a past Scoutmaster of Troop 122 and is currently the District Commissioner for the Sangre de Cristo District, which covers northern New Mexico. Justin, one of his scouts, says, “I will always be grateful for Mr. Mosier being the best scout leader and an important role model for me growing up. He’s taught me and many others so much over the years. I hope one day I can pass forward the knowledge he gave to me. (Enjoy your retirement Ms. Mosier, you deserve it!)”
The community has also seen lots of Mr. Mosier through his community service. He has worked as a CCD teacher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for over 20 years. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and is true to his faith. He is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor for scuba diving and teaches CPR/First Aid through Emergency First Response and Divers Alert Network. He has worked with LAYSL (soccer) as a coach, served on the board of Pinon Park Pool, judged at the local and regional science fairs, and volunteered for a number of other places. Mr. Mosier has a huge heart for Los Alamos and the surrounding communities.
Mr. Mosier is also part of the Board of Ponderosa Montessori School. He has played many roles, such as the fix-it-all man, the First Aid person, as well as making sure the sidewalks are cleared during the winter. Mr. Mosier is a very giving man. He is considerate of everyone who has crossed his path. He is loved by his students and everyone likes to stop by to say, “hello” or “goodbye.” Mr. Mosier will be missed by everyone, but he is happy to say that he will come by to volunteer at Ponderosa Montessori School.
Ponderosa Montessori School provides an authentic Montessori curriculum for Elementary K – Sixth Grade as well as Infants through PreK. Please contact Ponderosa (tel: 505-672-9211) if you’d like a tour or more information.
Please join Ponderosa Montessori in celebrating Mr. Mosier’s Retirement Celebration on June 21, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos, NM. His journey is a journey well celebrated.