Ananda School

Two-story house with a yellow lower level and red upper level, wooden framed windows, steep roof, and surrounded by trees.

Educator preparation in the Montessori philosophy is cultivating rich cultural roots alongside forward-thinking learning for generations to come.

Impact of Our Work

In the village of San Sebastián, Oaxaca, Mexico, Zapotec traditions continue to weave gracefully through the rhythms of daily life, shaping community, identity, and an enduring sense of rootedness. Amid this cultural richness, Ananda School offers a space where the timeless values of heritage meet the forward-looking promise of education. Here, the gentle yet transformative principles of Montessori learning nurture young hearts and minds, encouraging curiosity, independence, and compassion.

Recognizing the vital role of teachers in carrying this vision forward, Vern Lal Global Foundation supported Montessori training for four educators at Ananda School. This investment strengthened not only the school’s teaching capacity but also the quality of the learning environment for its students. With specialized training, teachers are now better equipped to guide children in ways that honor their individuality, foster hands-on exploration, and cultivate a deep love of discovery.

The impact is already taking root. Classrooms are evolving into vibrant spaces of creativity and collaboration, where children learn at their own pace and grow into confident, empathetic learners. By blending Montessori pedagogy with the cultural fabric of the Zapotec community, Ananda School offers an education that is both grounded in tradition and expansive in possibility.

This initiative in Mexico reflects our belief in the power of education to shape brighter futures. By investing in teachers, Vern Lal Global Foundation is investing in generations of children who will carry forward their heritage with pride while embracing the skills and confidence to create new opportunities for their community. Ananda School shines as a living example of how caring guidance, cultural roots, and modern educational practices can come together to nurture lasting change.

Gallery

Three girls stand close together outdoors, smiling at the camera. They are wearing sweaters and are lit by natural sunlight.

Five children and one adult gather closely outdoors, smiling and looking at a leafy plant in a natural, sunlit setting.

A wooden building with red accents sits among trees on a dirt path; two people are near the entrance and steps lead up to the house.

A wooden A-frame cabin with a red lower exterior and large windows, surrounded by trees, with a sloped dirt path and railing in the foreground.

Two red wooden houses sit on a dirt slope surrounded by tall pine trees, with a wooden fence and a bridge on the right side under a clear blue sky.

A wooden classroom with tables, chairs stacked upside down, shelves with educational materials, large windows, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.

Wooden chairs and tables are neatly arranged in a spacious, sunlit room with exposed beams and large windows, with some folded blankets and bags in the foreground.

Classroom with wooden floors and furniture, chairs placed upside down on tables, bookshelves along the walls, and large windows letting in natural light.

A-frame wooden cabin with large windows, surrounded by trees, a red picket fence, and a small garden bed in the foreground.

A cozy, wooden, attic-style library with bookshelves, children’s books, a globe, and chairs stacked upside down on a round table. Large triangular windows show green trees outside.

A two-story building with a yellow lower level and a red upper level, wooden windows, a sloped roof with skylights, and benches in front, surrounded by trees.

A two-story building with red and yellow trim, wooden doors, and multiple windows, surrounded by trees and a brick-paved courtyard on a sunny day.

Gallery

A two-story building with red-framed windows and a sloped roof, surrounded by trees and a paved courtyard on a sunny day.