Page 9 - 2019 Observations ~ The Montessori School

her creative juices flowing, she wrote and directed that this does not happen “magically.” Rather, it is
a play, “Christine and Friends.” She recruited her by design, through hard work, planning and col-
fellow classmates to act in it at her ninth birthday laboration. Parents, grandparents and other adults
party. Her imagination was boundless! in the children’s lives must work in partnership to
Upper Elementary with Nandini and Eliza- promote this culture. The role of grandparents is
beth provided more enriching experiences. Chris- particularly significant. Most studies of resiliency
tine was becoming a more fluent writer and de- in children point to the fact that children need
veloping her own literary voice. It was clear that significant adult mentors, besides their parents,
she had internalized language in their lives. Through inter-
structure and richness of vo- actions with grandchildren,
cabulary taught in class. She grandparents serve as role
described herself as a “book- models and provide guidance,
worm,” a positive in a world through informal discussions
filled with video games and and by example. Intergen-
addictive screen time! In fact, erational relationships help
she is a voracious reader and children understand, respect
enjoys participating in her and value the wisdom of their
class book club. I continue elders. Children also gain an
book discussions with her, as appreciation for their place
she inspires me to read some in the continuity of the fam-
of the same books she is read- ily. Family history and stories
ing. Now Christine is in the should be told often, so that
process of writing her own book, Fibi. A few Grandparents enjoy student children can feel part of the larger structure and
months ago, we were invited to the class to experi- presentations in the appreciate their roles in the family.
classrooms.
ence “Mystery History.” Each student was dressed I feel most honored to have been asked to
as a famous person, from various walks of life, and speak today, and I am looking forward to many
when touched on the shoulder, would tell about The Montessori more experiences in The Montessori School, as I
themselves. Christine was Maria Montessori. I was continue to see Christine grow and thrive. Thank
School is an oasis of
impressed and thought that it clearly highlighted a you for your kind attention.
well-designed interdisciplinary project. learning and peace,
I think that it is appropriate, at this point, to
which could serve
discuss the fact that all that is happening in The Joan Mizrahi has had a long and varied career
Montessori School, unlike in many other schools, as a model for how in education beginning as a junior high school
is being done without “teaching to a test.” While English teacher and reading specialist, then guid-
the world should
some standardized testing is done to assess the ef- ance counselor and then assistant principal over a
fectiveness of instruction, standardized tests are be. I know from span of 18 years, during which she was included
not used to determine student success. Clearly, in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. From
my professional
valuable classroom time is not spent on test prepa- there she moved to the District level, where she
ration. As I currently supervise student teachers, career, that this headed a districtwide substance abuse prevention
and go into many schools and classrooms, on education program and then became Deputy Su-
does not happen
many grade levels, I can clearly see that the in- perintendent for Pupil Personnel in another dis-
struction here exceeds, in depth and breadth, “magically.” Rather, trict. She moved on to the regional level, where
what is taught elsewhere. she served as a School Based Services Adminis-
it is by design,
Thanks to the leadership of Lisa Potter, the trator for four different districts. Currently, she su-
Administrators, Teachers and all Staff, The Mon- through hard pervises student teachers from State University of
tessori School is an oasis of learning and peace, New York Oswego.
work, planning and
which could serve as a model for how the world
should be. I know, from my professional career, collaboration.

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