New 501c 3 "Future Promises" Aims to Improve Learning Outcomes Locally
As Park County continues to undergo growth and diversification, the public school system has become a subject of controversy. For many years, the district primarily comprised only state-funded programming and private parochial institutions such as St. Mary’s, with few alternatives for formal education sans religious affiliation—Montessori schools and the like represented only a small percentage of options available to parents and caretakers who have since sought to expand opportunities for children through novel teaching philosophies and methodologies—what enthusiasts and traditionalists alike have taken to calling experimental, whether in zeal or skepticism.
For parents and educators like Melissa Whithorn, however, these options represent a spectrum of educational philosophies on which each child falls according to their specific needs— where on this spectrum each child falls, nonetheless, can often be challenging to discern.
Whithorn herself, raised in Louisiana, was born completely deaf, though, unbeknownst to her parents and teachers until she reached first grade, when the state’s schools begin administering hearing tests. She had previously been labeled mentally retarded and was barred from participating in typical classroom activities, stunting her social and cognitive development. After her hearing was surgically repaired at age 10, she was placed in special education classes and maintained a third grade reading level throughout high school.
As a result, she received poor grades, suffered from low self-esteem, and struggled to graduate—circumstances forever altering the course of her life.
Naturally, Whithorn feared that her own children would suffer the same fate at the hands of the public school system. Left to her own devices, she taught herself to read and learned about the importance of formative development—how the early stages of life are foundational for identity formation, emotional stability and moral trajectory. She soon discovered that much of what she read was relevant to her own experiences—that, in spite of her efforts as an adult, because she had not been properly nurtured during childhood, her ability to learn was limited.
“The first five years of development literally make or break a person,” Whithorn shared.
Determined to parent with supreme diligence, she began homeschooling her daughter, who had been diagnosed dyslexic—a common learning disability affecting language processing skills. Rather than adopt a single teaching philosophy, Whithorn tested numerous theories to ascertain which best suited her daughter, who then excelled tremendously in academics and now attends Montana State University as a freshman psychology major. Her son, on the other hand, was diagnosed autistic—likewise intelligent and neurodivergent, yet whose educational needs include socialization amongst other children, making him a poor fit for homeschooling.
What Whithorn realized was that each child requires a unique approach to learning. “There’s not one philosophy that’s better than the others—it’s important to know all the options and ways to interact with children and educate them,” she says.
Intent on fostering optimized childhood development, Whithorn eventually earned a degree in early childhood education, relocating to Park County in 2022 and starting Einsteins Learning Center just two years later, located at 326 S. Main Street in Livingston. Whithorn subscribes to an Italian-based curriculum called Reggio-Emilia, overseeing nearly 30 students at her early education center.
Shortly after arriving in Montana, Whithorn recognized a widespread lack of understanding about early childhood education. This misconception, she feels, that early childhood educators are babysitters, also drives a lack of support for providers. In response, she arranged a meet-and-greet to connect with other early childhood educators local to Park County, which, only three months ago, officially received non-profit status following continued organization and dedication.
Her non-profit group, Future Promises, is a collaborative undertaking with Zendara Yarnell, owner of Teeny Steiny’s, a childhood learning center neighboring Einsteins. The collective, which currently includes eight childhood educators from St. Mary’s, Guided Wild (a self-described Forest School emphasizing experiential learning) and Montessori-based programs, gathers at Einsteins on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss educational theory and various strategies for early childhood instruction.
The goal is to unite and support providers by sharing information and resources about and for childhood education in order to improve learning outcomes within the community, as well as initiate a scholarship fund to offset costs for families seeking exceptional early childhood education. Ideally, providers from each institution will attend and, ultimately, host meetings.
Recently, Whithorn was recruited by the Livingston Area Chamber of Commerce to represent the community at the Montana Employer Forum for Child Care Solutions held in Helena on June 5th. The non-profit will enable Whithorn to compile feedback from early childhood providers in Park County to provide full-scale representation of the community’s educational needs at the event. Through the non-profit, Whithorn also offers training and evaluation services for teachers seeking certification through the Childhood Development Associate (CDA) council, a credentialing agency for early childhood educators.
The group is seeking to expand their membership by inviting all childhood educators from throughout Park County, including those from the public school system, such as Winans and Head Start. Whithorn is also interested in involving kindergarten teachers to provide insights regarding early childhood preparation for primary school. Members must be directly involved with childhood education.
“We just want everyone [childhood educators] to succeed; to be equipped and feel empowered,” explains Whithorn.
For more information, to inquire about joining the non-profit or donating to the scholarship fund, please contact Gabrielle Cattrell at Melissa@einsteinslearningcenter.com.