About Mamina

Mary B. Reinfeld is a mother of four and grandmother of four. She started motherhood very young, but she was even younger when she started teaching. At the age of seven, Mary was giving her first lessons to a young woman who did not know how to read or write. Since then her life has being a constant search for better contents and tools in education.

"Teaching is a passion to me. It is a challenge to find ways to clearly communicate anything to my children and/or students. The real challenge is to find inside of myself what is what I really want to teach beyond a formal subject. There are life tools and issues behind every subject in education. We, as teachers, with or without intention, are showing aspects of Life behind any academic or non-academic subjects."

In her quest to find effective and caring ways to teach, Mary is a pioneer in Holistic Education. In the seventies, she started creating new programs for her students, focusing on the importance of integrating mind, body and emotions to any subject.

"There is no way to disconnect ourselves from all of "ourselves" when we are learning. Mind, body and emotions are always present. It does not matter if we are doing math, music, sciences or art. We are still thinking, feeling and doing."

Mary has created a program to teach music called "Music for Life" and "The Art of Doing". They basics are guidelines to teach in general. In those programs, the main goal is to develop and cultivate the body, mind and emotional skills, in an integrated way.

"What I have learned after the many circumstances and events in my life that we do have the skills to live our lives with enthusiasm, i.e. a full, rich, productive, motivating and also a peaceful life. The skills that will allow us to live in harmony within and with each other. We have to develop these skills to its potential.

If we as educators, cannot guide our students to find the inner skills to better understand themselves and each other and how to reach for better tools to deal with the challenges of this so complicated world, then we are doing nothing. For me, the Arts and the avenues within, I have found wonderful channels to understand and approach Life in its beauty and fullest expression; the inspiration and emotion of our hearts, the magnificent organized powers of our minds, the enlightenment and creative source of our spirit, and the wonderful results of our actions with the right discipline and practice. "

Mary B. Reinfeld is the Founder and Director of Mamina's Garden.

Fran grew up surrounded by acres of wooded area in the suburbs of Baltimore Maryland. Spending her youth in this wholesome environment allowed her to experience, up close, scenery that most know only through postcards and paintings. Daily exposure to the plants, trees and wildlife was the foundation for Fran's true appreciation for nature and it's beauty. Always intrigued by art at the early age of nine, Fran spent countless hours pasting Green Stamps into trading books just to acquire her first acrylic paint set. It wouldn't be until many years later that her true talents in the genre of oil painting would be discovered and exposed.

In the late 70's, Fran traded in the bare trees of the northern winter climate and moved to lush, warm South Florida to attend the University of Miami. Earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, she became licensed as a Certified as a Public Accountant and ventured directly into the business world obtaining a position with an accounting firm. Through the years, Fran always maintained her interest in the arts through drawing, frequenting the theater, enjoying symphonies and traveling to visiting museums and observe other cultures and life styles.

In her quest to expand and develop her daughter Amanda’s creativity, Fran was referred to Mary Reinfeld for piano lessons and upon meeting they immediately bonded becoming friends and sisters. During the conception stage of Mamina’s Garden, Mary approached Fran about collaborating together with her on this project. Mary’s talents and abilities were obvious and unquestionable. For Fran it has been a metamorphosis as she continue she spiritual journey combining her business and marketing knowledge with her artistic talents. After contemplating how much she enjoys having children at her house for arts and crafts projects, parties and entertaining, and defined relationships with Amanda teachers, schools and other parents; it didn't take long to realize that not only was this project perfect for her but she also found a business partner that matched as well!

Fran believes life is a journey of observations and experiences; the ultimate goal is living a balanced, harmonious, happy and healthy life. While raising Amanda, she has been able to practice and convey to her child certain beliefs that she embraces.

* Do the right thing and think of the consequences of your actions prior to acting. Always be kind and courteous.

* The missing link to communication is listening - be attentive to those around you; especially children.

* Children learn through inquiry, encourage them to ask questions and always answer honestly.

* Integrity is being your word; say what you mean and mean what you say.

* Over all we need to get Back to Basics. We live in an over-stimulated, instantaneous gratification society - we need to put more emphasis on person to person contact.