Archive for the ‘Classroom Level’ Category
A Sunday drive took me across the state of Tennessee, from Knoxville all the way to Henderson, TN. I spent Monday and Tuesday mornings at Parkview Montessori Magnet School, in Jackson, Tennessee. Parkview is a public school serving students in Preschool through Grade 8 from Jackson-Madison County School System. Students enter the school by applying through a lottery system.
The motto at Parkview is “Peaceful Children, Peaceful School, Peaceful World.” This influence of the school motto is demonstrated throughout environment and in the interactions between students and teachers. The external environment features a peace garden where students plant and build. A peace pole greets students and guests who pass through the main entrance doors. Inside, the hallways are filled with student artwork, as well as educational exhibits about the Montessori philosophy. I visited classrooms that had a familiar hum of students actively engaged with materials.
On Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with middle school students from Peggy Smith’s classroom about Parkview’s approach to peace. These 7th and 8th graders held small group Socratic dialogues to discuss their understanding of peace and the impact of Montessori schooling on their lives. The students also shared about a unique project to study about Nobel Peace Prize winners. What an articulate and caring group of young people! I was excited to be able to interview Ms. Smith and School Principal Melinda Harris, as well.
Central Montessori School (VA)
Posted on: February 24, 2010
My first school visit was a whirlwind of excitement. Central Montessori School, is located in the downtown Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. In its third year, Central Montessori School offers a full-year, full-day Montessori program for children from toddler through lower elementary.
I had the opportunity to visit all of the classroom environments and meet the dedicated staff. The school founder and director, Anita Pishko, sat down with me for an interview about Central’s approach to creating a peaceable community among the children and the larger community. Our conversation was thought-provoking and really got to the heart of what I might describe as a “whole child, whole world” approach to peace. I can’t wait to share the video!
Skyline photo credit: Jim from Richmond, VA
We the Peacemakers: How Montessori Makes Peace 