A Look Back at 2011: Growth In The School
As you may have remembered from our last blog we are focusing on the beginning of a new year on our growth from 2011. Last time we marked the growth in the child at Montessori Tides School. This time we mark the growth in the school itself.
Detailing this growth goes beyond an outward or upward measure. After all, real growth begins inwardly. As I have watched the school progress throughout 2011, I believe there are definite milestones worth admiring. Two of these milestones we have already discussed and celebrated. First, was the joy of having our upper-elementary classroom restored. Second, in 2011 we celebrated our 25th year in Jacksonville Beach.
An old proverb states that “as the twig is bent, so grows the tree.”We know that early childhood training does, indeed, set the direction of a child’s life. We are currently seeing this played out in the school through the lives of 3 people here at Montessori Tides School.
Although, Ms. Hillary, our first mark of growth was not herself a Montessori student, her husband was. She has been assisting for 7 years and Montessori Tides is currently funding her in her pursuit of her Montessori Directress Certification. Mr. Brad stated, “Just like we want to see our students grow, we want to see our teachers grow.”
Our second mark is the return of a former student, Anna Porter, to Montessori Tides. Brad shared how unique Anna’s presence is at the school in that she has come full circle. Having been a former student here, she is now a substitute teacher. The value that was placed on her life here as a child, has brought her back to give the same value to those coming behind her.
As the writer of this blog I feel very much a part of this community because I, myself, was once a Montessori student. The value and training I once received as a child, I now see my own son receiving.
As I seek to mark the growth in the school as a whole, freedom is burning in my heart. I see freedom imparted into adults to reach new goals, for our young people to step into opportunities to give back what they have received and stretch for more; to see a new generation of Montessori children come full circle. I guess you could say it is the internal flame found in the child that continues to blaze a path for us all.
