Elise Dadourian

Elise attended Gladwyne Montessori all the way through to sixth grade and graduated in 2010. From Gladwyne, she went on to attend Shipley and then Brown University for environmental studies, where she completed her thesis documentary on food waste.

After commencing from Gladwyne Montessori, Elise always stayed in touch, bringing her band back to perform at Spring Flings.

Elise graduated from Brown this past spring and is eager to share her love for Gladwyne Montessori with our current families via video message at our virtual Back to School Night on October 1.

“[Gladwyne Montessori] instilled a love of learning in me … [and] created a unique sense of family and community,” remembers Elise. “It was in fourth grade, in Mrs. L’s class, that I developed my passion for environmentalism.”

One of her fondest memories of Gladwyne Montessori is her Upper Elementary field trip to London where she and her classmates visited the Tower of London, various Harry Potter filming locations and the London Eye.

“That trip is the reason I first fell in love with London!” Elise recalls.

This Saturday, she'll be making her return to the UK, now as a full-time student as she pursues her degree in film production at the MetFilm School in London. 

Near or far, Elise is determined to always stay connected to Gladwyne Montessori. “Whether it’s through playing music at Spring Fling, being an active alum or maybe even a parent one day,” she explains. “The friendships I made [at Gladwyne Montessori] taught me the concept of compassion, understanding and perspective—which is something we could all use these days!”