Contact: Rhonda Turnipseed (Principal)
When: February 21, 2024
Brief Event Description: AIER coordinated with Spokane Public Montessori
The visit included the following people:
Dr. Lisa Hoxie from Whitworth
5 per-service education students from Whitworth
One AIER Board Member
What is Spokane Public Montessori?
The mission of Spokane Public Montessori is to provide a quality public Montessori education in a culturally, racially, and economically diverse school community. Spoken Public Montessori is one of only two public Montessori Schools in Washington state Spokane Public Montessori serves students 1st through 8th grade utilizing a classic Montessori approach to teaching and learning. Spoke Public Montessori seeks to serve in the following ways:
Create lifelong learners and prepare children for life as citizens of a global community and stewards of the earth.
Support service to our school, community, nation, and world.
Work collaboratively with families to create a peaceful, supportive, compassionate, and welcoming community where the understanding of and respect for differences lead to appreciation, self-reflection, and personal growth.
Develop responsibility and support freedom in an environment where all children choose purposeful activity and meaningful work with focus on intrinsic rewards.
Follow Montessori principles and pedagogy.
Seek to create a positive experience for all children to develop to their fullest potential while fostering independence, critical thinking, and creativity.
How was the event?
The group met with Jennifer Huffaker, Assistant Principal at SPM - Jennifer gave us an overview of other Montessori education and how it differs from more traditional approaches. The took the group through the building where we visited a number of classrooms. The Whitworth students were very impressed with the level of student engagement observed in the classrooms. One student remarked that the high level of student “voice and choice” in classroom activities was very interesting. The multi-age classrooms were also impressive to the students. (Montessori traditionally utilizes multi-age classrooms)
Quotes from Whitworth students:
“If I had had the choice to go to a Montessori school when I was in elementary school, I would have done it for sure”
“The students here engage with adults on a very sophisticated level - I did not expect that”
Summary:
The students left very impressed with the interaction of the students across grade levels. The Whitworth students were also impressed by the level of student-driven leaning in the classrooms. We are lucky in Spokane to have a Public Montessori School as one of our choice options for kids.
Curious about Spokane Public Montessori?
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