Hello Friends, I love this time of year. Students sit on the grass in a circle under a blue sky for an outdoor lesson. The trees burst into shades of green that seem to have a luminescence. The campus transforms itself into a kaleidoscope of color. Over the past two years, I have spent a lot of time thinking and writing about TNSM’s commitment to being stewards of the earth and how we are trying to do our part to keep our planet healthy. When writing about our new building, the Kaleidoscope Center, as well as our recently purchased property …
Enjoy Spring Break!
Hello Friends, First and foremost, THANK YOU for attending the auction a couple of weekends ago. It was such a great time! Who knew that if you wrapped a hotdog in a waffle it would taste so good?! Thank you for all of your support and if you weren’t able to make it, we missed you and hope to see you next year!! Last week over 4,000 Montessorians gathered from all over the world in Boston for the annual American Montessori Society conference. The event is not only inspiring due to the remarkable workshops and keynote speakers (Ibram Kendi, Susan David, Chris …
The Invisible Teacher
Hello, Friends. I am writing this on a bus ride back from a 4-day trip to Washington D.C. with our 6th grade students. I’m tired. So are they. 🙂 Some are currently dozed off in their seats, while others giggle at almost anything said. We have seen a lot, walked a lot, and slept a little. Just to give you a quick understanding of how ambitious our itinerary has been, we traveled 8 hours by bus and visited the White House and the Supreme Court. We went on a Capitol building tour, walked the grounds and home of George Washington …
Hard Lessons
Hello Friends, I have a personal story to share. My hope is that it has broader appeal than just sharing my own experience. I also find sharing personal stories an exercise in vulnerability, which in my opinion is always a muscle worth stretching. As many of you know, my wife and I have two children. We have noticed our son (who turned 10 today) becoming more aware of the social dynamics at play during gatherings or sporting events. It seems to matter more if he wins or loses than it did a year ago. How he is “seen” by others …
TNSM’S ABAR Statement
Hello Friends, For the past two years, TNSM has been exploring how our strategic goals align with our mission related to equity and justice. With the help of our community, including staff, students, board, and the parent-led Diversity Committee, we have created an anti-bias/anti-racist statement that will be incorporated into our strategic plan. We are grateful for the time and energy our Diversity Committee chairs (Meredith Dixie/Sarah Corlett) and the rest of the committee members have put into this important work. As we begin our “self-study” for the accreditation process with the American Montessori Society and the Independent Schools of …
Bloom
Dear Friends, As you may have noticed, an email invitation was sent out for you to join the TNSM community at our annual auction party (March 11). This year we will be in Northside at the Factory. I absolutely love this TNSM event. Staff, along with current and alumni families, come together for a truly delightful evening. The insanely talented Montvales will be providing live music, and Eatwell will be serving up delicious bites. A free valet service will be provided as well, so you don’t have to worry about parking! So what are you waiting for? Secure your babysitter, …
“Do not look at my finger, look at the child.”
Hello Friends, At a recent AMS conference there was a lot of discussion around how the Montessori method is particularly suited to foster creativity and innovation during a time when we are asked less and less to think for ourselves (Google searches, AI platforms, etc). Children are naturally curious and creative, but it is imperative that we keep this flame alive into adulthood, not only for our success, but our personal fulfillment as well. At the New School Montessori, we believe that our culture fosters a spirit of discovery and exploration that we hope lasts a lifetime. Montessorians take a constructivist …
Learning Together/Growing Together
TNSM Gala: BLOOM (Saturday, March 11 @6:00 p.m.) Secure your babysitter, save the date, and be prepared to enjoy yourself! Let’s party like a Montessorian! ☺ Join us for one of TNSM’s social highlights of the year! You are invited to have a rockin’ good time while supporting one of your most cherished non-profit organizations; The New School Montessori! This year, we will gather in Northside at The Factory. This gorgeous (very cool) venue is only 10 minutes away from TNSM with valet parking. The event will be catered by Eat well (heavy/delicious apps) and includes the live musical stylings …
The Prepared Adult
Hello Friends, During my training as a Montessori educator, and the years that followed as a (9-12) teacher and lifelong learner, I have always appreciated the emphasis Maria Montessori put on the “Prepared Adult.” In her book The Absorbent Mind, Dr Montessori states, “the real preparation for education is the study of one’s self.” This same sentiment is echoed in educational theorist and author Parker Palmer who claims that it is of the utmost importance for a teacher to know themselves because we teach who we are whether we know it or not. When we become more aware of our …
“The earth goes ’round the sun, the earth goes ’round the sun…”
Hello Friends, I love the end of a calendar year. There is a collective invitation to reflect –to look back on the past 12 months and honor the journey. In our (3-9) programs, when students celebrate their birthday in class, a candle is lit to represent the sun, and the birthday student, holding a globe, walks around the candle as their peers sing, “the earth goes ’round the sun, the earth goes ’round the sun, it takes a year, your birthdays here, the earth goes ’round the sun.” Then for each year the student has been alive, the student pauses …