Meet Maetzi Miller | Montessori Bilingual Education

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maetzi Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maetzi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was deeply personal and rooted in both passion and purpose. After 20 years of being a Montessori teacher in public and private schools, I found out I was pregnant—and I realized I wanted my child to grow up in a learning environment that was bilingual, nurturing, and grounded in the authentic Montessori philosophy. I couldn’t find exactly what I was envisioning, so I decided to create it myself. What began as a small in-home school with just five children—many from families I had worked with over the years—grew into a full community project. I saw a need in East Dallas for culturally inclusive, high-quality Montessori education, and I wanted to give back to the community that raised me. My goal wasn’t just to start a business—it was to create a space where children could thrive, families could feel supported, and teachers could be valued.
Part of my motivation for starting my own business came from seeing a real gap in access to authentic bilingual Montessori education—especially in East Dallas. There are very few programs like this in the U.S., and almost none in our community. I knew our families deserved more, so I launched Caminos International Bilingual Montessori Training Center, which is now in its first year. Our own teachers are the first to receive scholarships to train through Caminos. But training and tuition are expensive, and I personally struggled to pay for mine—so I started a nonprofit called Cosmic Minds Fund to raise money for scholarships for local East Dallas teachers and students. It’s all rooted in the belief that Montessori—and bilingual education—should be accessible to every child, not just those who can afford it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cosmos Montessori is a bilingual Montessori school in East Dallas serving children from birth through 8th grade. What sets us apart is our commitment to building an entire ecosystem of love, learning, and community. We’re unveiling a nearly half-a-million-dollar outdoor Montessori classroom and playground by October 2025, complete with chickens, a garden-to-table program (ran by our mini-urban farmers), and an onsite international chef preparing fresh, diverse meals daily. We offer after-school programs, summer camps, and even train our own future educators through our Caminos International Bilingual Montessori Training Center—backed by scholarships from our nonprofit, Cosmic Minds Fund, which supports East Dallas teachers and families. We are proud to be mom-owned, Latina-led, and family-run, with a vision rooted in accessibility, bilingualism, and authentic Montessori practice. We also incorporate intentional, age-appropriate technology to prepare children for the future while staying true to Montessori values—teaching digital literacy, creativity, and responsibility. More than a school, Cosmos offers families a bilingual Montessori journey—one that nurtures not only academic success, but also culture, compassion, and confidence. It all began in my living room with five children and a dream to give my daughter—and children like her—a space filled with language, love, and lifelong learning. It hasn’t been easy, but every challenge led to something beautiful. Cosmos isn’t just a school—it’s a movement, and we’re just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
🌟 Welcome to East Dallas – A Week with Heart, Culture, and Local Flavor

Day 1 – Arrival + Chill Vibes

Brunch at Dream Café in Lakewood: Fresh, cozy, and kid-friendly if needed.

Walk around White Rock Lake – Rent bikes, snap pics near the spillway, or just stroll.

Dinner at E-Bar Tex Mex – A local gem for margaritas and queso with a kick.

Nightcap at Lounge Here – A vibey retro bar with amazing cocktails and East Dallas soul.

Day 2 – Local Art + Hidden Gems

Coffee at La La Land Kind Café – Kindness, matcha, and a photogenic porch.

Deep Ellum murals + shops – Explore this artsy district with local boutiques and bold street art.

Lunch at Revolver Taco Lounge – Elevated tacos you won’t forget.

Evening at The Wild Detectives – Bookstore, bar, backyard shows… perfection.

Day 3 – Cultural Soul Day

Breakfast tacos from El Come Taco

Visit the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center

Swing by the Dallas Farmers Market – grab snacks and handmade goodies

Dinner at Petra & the Beast – For a special night of funky, creative, seasonal food

Optional: Midnight showing at Texas Theatre – Historic and very Oak Cliff

Day 4 – Montessori Magic & Local Love

Tour Cosmos Montessori and hang out with the chickens, garden, and playground-in-progress

Lunch at Smoky Rose (right by the Arboretum)

Dallas Arboretum + Botanical Garden – Chill under the trees, take beautiful photos

Casual drinks at White Rock Alehouse

Day 5 – Roadtrip Day: Fort Worth Vibes

Start early with Avoca Coffee in FW

Visit the Modern Art Museum or Kimbell Art Museum

Lunch at Joe T. Garcia’s – Iconic outdoor patio + Tex-Mex experience

Swing by the Fort Worth Stockyards for boots and a little Western fun

Head back, stop at Truck Yard on Lower Greenville for late-night bites

Day 6 – Spa + Shopping + Dancing

Morning spa time – Try King Spa or Hiatus for massages and saunas

Afternoon shopping at Bishop Arts or Knox-Henderson

Dinner at Tejas in Bishop Arts – Latin-inspired, bold and flavorful

Dancing at Havana Lounge or a night out in Deep Ellum or XOXO for something bougie

Day 7 – Wrap-Up + Reflection

Brunch at Garden Café – Homey, quiet, garden-side vibes

Walk + gratitude journal at Flag Pole Hill or Norbuck Park

Final snacks at Emporium Pies or Botolino Gelato

Sunset toast at Catbird at the Thompson Hotel downtown before heading out

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely—my biggest shoutout goes to my daughter, Amellie, who is the reason behind everything I’ve built. I created Cosmos Montessori and this entire community with her in mind, wanting her to grow up surrounded by love, culture, and meaningful learning. She is the heart of it all. My father, who stood beside me from day one as co-owner, helping me turn this dream into reality. I also want to recognize my partner, Charles, he’s our school lawyer. I’m also deeply grateful to the families, mentors, and teachers who believed in the vision early on and helped build something truly special for East Dallas, and continue to do so daily.

Website: https://www.cosmosmontessoridallas.com

Instagram: cosmosmontessoridallas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maetzi-miller-269585274

Facebook: cosmosmontessoridallas

Other: https://www.cmfdallas.org