As Lisa Bell and Chris Medhus put together ideas and opened their child-development center in Evergreen a month ago, their mentor came to mind time after time.

“What would Marlyn say?” became their mantra as they considered how the center would be configured and operated.

Bell and Medhus’ new undertaking — Marlyn’s Center for Children & Families — is the embodiment of everything they learned about early childhood education when they took classes from Marlyn James at Flathead Valley Community College. From the layout of the preschool and infant rooms to the teaching concepts that guide their way, James’ influence and inspiration lives on at the new center.

She designed and wrote the curriculum to start FVCC’s early childhood education program and helped facilitate the idea of an early childhood center on campus. When James died unexpectedly in June 2016 from complications following brain surgery, she was eulogized as an incredible mentor who pulled the very best out of her students.

Bell and Medhus studied under James at different times, and both earned associate degrees from FVCC. They took different paths until they found themselves working together at The Nurturing Center last year.

“Marlyn planted the seed in my head I should open a facility,” Bell said.

A former cosmetologist, Bell, 28, decided to change careers after the death of a close friend. As she began contemplating what she might study, her dozen nieces and nephews influenced her decision to become a kindergarten teacher. She got a job at Woodland Montessori, then enrolled at FVCC, and through a serendipitous class mix-up got routed to James’ class.

“I ended up talking to Marlyn and she said ‘let’s have a conversation,’” Bell recalled. “She suggested I take her classes, and from that initial conversation she started inspiring me.

“She made me change my perspective, to realize how important the early years are.”

Bell worked at the Montessori school and Joyful Noise in Columbia Falls during her time at FVCC, giving her hands-on experience in care-giving.

Medhus, 28, started working at Trinity Lutheran School’s after-school program when he was just 17. After earning his degree from FVCC he went on to get his early childhood education degree from the University of Montana-Western.

“Marlyn’s influence in my life was huge,” he said. “She definitely motivated me. It transformed me into a different teacher.”

He worked with James as an adjunct instructor at FVCC for four semesters.

During their time as professional development specialists at The Nurturing Center in Kalispell, Bell and Medhus realized their early childhood education philosophies were similar; and both saw the need for quality care in the Flathead Valley.

As the two business partners tossed out ideas for a new center, they recalled conversations they’d had with their mentor. They reviewed old notes jotted down in her classes. Then they got in touch with James’ husband, Chuck James. “We wanted his blessing,” Bell added.

Chuck immediately was on board with the project. He built a sandbox, made cubbies for the children and donated toys and books.

“I think it’s really cool that she’s continuing to impact young people’s lives in a positive manner,” Chuck said. “They’re carrying on her legacy.”

Bell and Medhus also got suggestions from Gaye Gronlund, an early childhood consultant who co-authored an early childhood education book with James.

“Marlyn James was a true champion for young children and a wonderful mentor to students at Flathead Valley Community College who studied early childhood education and child development with her,” Gronlund said. “Lisa Bell and Chris Medhus are embarking on an exciting endeavor to make sure that Marlyn’s legacy is celebrated.

“With the opening of their new child-development center, they are putting all that they learned from her about best practices for children and families into action,” Gronlund continued. “I cannot think of a better way to honor Marlyn and all that she contributed to not only the children and families of the Flathead Valley, but also to the nation at large through her publications and professional presentations.”

Marlyn’s Center for Children & Families offers a teaching philosophy inspired by Resources for Infant Educarers, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of infant care and education through teaching, supporting and mentoring. It advocates showing respect for a baby’s experience and encourages parents to treat their children as active participants rather than passive objects.

“We let infants move and explore,” Medhus explained. “They’re held to be fed.”

There are no “contraptions” such as bouncers or baby swings at Marlyn’s Center.

They also draw on the Reggio Emilia and Montessori education philosophies of child-centered education that use self-directed, experiential learning.

“We strive to have nature incorporated into learning,” Bell noted. “We offer individualized care and playful learning experiences. It’s a ‘yes’ environment.”

The infant room is set up for a maximum of six infants, but the intent is to keep the ratio of infants to caregivers low. The center is licensed for up to 12 children daily between the infant and preschool rooms.

“We tried to make a space Marlyn would be proud of,” Medhus said.

While their first priority is the children and their families, Bell and Medhus plan to teach classes at Marlyn’s Center.

“We wanted it to be a place where other caregivers can come,” Bell said.

The importance of early childhood education looms large for both Bell and Medhus and drives every decision they made when creating the center.

“It’s what’s going to change the world,” Bell said.

For more information about Marlyn’s Center for Children & Families, call 406-871-2029 or email info@marlyns.org. The center is located at 2210 U.S. 2 E. in Kalispell.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.