The Montessori Message

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Tag Archives: lifelong learning

Summer – A Time for Renewal

02 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Teachers, Wilmington Montessori School

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lifelong learning, staff, summer, teachers

Summer is a time that school children everywhere look forward to – a time to relax, play and take part in new experiences. The same can be said for the adults in our community.

This summer has begun with an increased feeling of freedom for many of us. It has also begun with opportunities to learn and grow. In the past three weeks, we have had more than 10 staff members attend a variety of professional development workshops. Of course, each workshop has a focus. We will learn skills that help us enhance our classroom community, refine our teaching practice, understand the benefits and challenges of independent school education, network with fellow Delawareans in the nonprofit sector and more. However, what the brochures and websites for these events doesn’t tell us is that we will be re-energized and reinvigorated as a result of attending. We will leave these workshops with ideas that came from talking to other participants. We will begin to wonder anew about how to accomplish our goals. We will sit back, take in the information, participate in the dialogue and reflect… on our school, ourselves, our past and our potential.

Summer is a time for renewal. It gives us the space to wonder and learn, to hit refresh, and move forward with energy and enthusiasm.

39.803805 -75.482690

Education for Life

07 Thursday May 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Montessori Education, Teachers, Wilmington Montessori School

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lifelong learning, montessori, Montessori education, teachers, Wilmington Montessori, Wilmington Montessori School

When percussionist Tony Vacca visited WMS, staff enjoyed learning from him almost as much as the students did!

When percussionist Tony Vacca visited WMS, staff enjoyed learning from him almost as much as the students did!

One of our core values at Wilmington Montessori School is “education for life.” When reading this on our website or simply considering those three words, one tends to think about the students, for they are our focus. Lately I have been doing a bit of reading that reminds me to consider each member of our community when reflecting on this core value.

To be the best educators we can be, we need to be the best learners. This doesn’t mean we learn the most difficult concepts or excel at everything we try, but that we embrace the process of learning and move beyond the comfort of knowing to the uncertainty that comes with learning. From a baby taking her first wobbly steps to a child hesitantly reading his first words, the unsteadiness of the learning process is a part of our lives. As we move through school, we experience of the challenges and wonder of learning.

At WMS, our teachers spend most of their time as learners. They learn through professional development workshops, meetings with colleagues, researching topics to teach a concept or to guide a student, reading blogs and publications about their profession and the content areas they teach, and best of all, they learn from their students. Being open to learning and embracing the unknown are values that are critical to our success; we are learners for our entire lives.

Professional Development & Lifelong Learning

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Camp Montessori, Extended Day Programs, Learning, Montessori Education, Teachers, Wilmington Montessori School

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3-6 classroom, AMS, collaboration, connections, curiosity, lifelong learning, teachers, Wilmington Montessori, Wilmington Montessori School

During the past week, several of our staff members attended workshops to extend their learning. Professional development is a closely held value at WMS. Our teachers, extended day and camp staff, and administrators all participate in professional development throughout the year. It is an opportunity for them to learn, wonder, connect and consider their practice in a different light.

Our primary goals are to do the best job we can at educating children to be citizens of the world, to develop a passion for learning and creating. Inspiring the adults in the community is key to these goals.  In the past few weeks, staff members have attended workshops about autism spectrum disorders, writing with kindergartners, marketing, communications and admissions at independent schools as well as the American Montessori Society annual conference in Philadelphia this March. Learning is not for children only. It is for each of us, no matter our role at WMS.

Though we have attended these workshops and have many more to come over the summer months, what really matters is that we are on a continual learning path. We meet regularly in cohorts within the school; we belong to associations and connect with people who are doing similar work. We share ideas and learn from others. Lifelong learning is a goal for everyone at WMS.

“They care.”

29 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Teachers, Wilmington Montessori School

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alumni, connections, foundation, lifelong learning, Wilmington Montessori School

WMS alumna Laurel Brown with Head of School Lisa Lalama in London.

Earlier this month, I enjoyed coffee with WMS alum Laurel Brown in London, where she is studying abroad this semester.

During the past few weeks I have met with several Wilmington Montessori School alumni for a variety of reasons. They are a diverse group in every way possible; their personalities, interests and goals vary, as do their ages. Some graduated as long as 10 years ago, and others in the past year. Yet, in spite of their many differences, they are united by their early childhood and elementary school experiences at WMS. In each case I have been struck by their fond memories and kind words about WMS. It also amazes me that even those who have been away from the school for years remain friends with many of their classmates, stay in touch with teachers and staff, and want to know about WMS and what is happening here.

Each day our staff comes to work, just as most people do, but they do so much more. The teachers—lead, assistant and extended day—think about the children they see each day and what will engage them and create interest, curiosity and wonder. They greet the children with smiles on their faces and form deep relationships with them and their families. They care. The same can be said for all of our staff—whether in the business office, the maintenance department or other administrative roles, they care. They want to be part of this community and do all they can to learn about everyone in the school, whatever their role. They are thrilled when a student says hello to them or learns their name.

Studies have shown that a positive relationship with a teacher can further learning in students. What I know is that each of these alumni remembers the feeling of being a student at WMS, the connection to the school, students and teachers. They loved being here and want to reconnect when they can. What I hope for each of them is that their time at WMS laid the foundation for a love of learning and a curiosity that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Creating Lifelong Learners

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Lisa Lalama in Learning, Montessori Education, STEM, Wilmington Montessori School

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lifelong learning, Maria Montessori, montessori, Montessori education, museum of obsolete, pedagogy, technology, Wilmington Montessori

pedagogy-first-technology-second

Click the image above to view full-size graphic.

Technology changes constantly. As you read this blog entry, new things are being created, connections are being made, and once commonly used apps or hardware are becoming obsolete.

At WMS, we have made a commitment to integrate technology as part of our 2014-16 Strategic Plan and are well on our way. However, our primary commitment continues to be to learning. As we work with children each day, our goal remains the same: creating lifelong learners.

When Montessori education began, Maria Montessori could not have imagined the tools available to us today. However, she created tools that continue to guide, support and ignite passion for learning.

Whether children and teachers are using a pink tower, language materials, the checkerboard, an iPad or laptop, learning is the goal. Connecting ideas, collaborating with others, getting feedback that encourages further questioning and learning are the foundations of a robust learning environment and continue to be the foundations of learning at WMS.​

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