For this blog, I asked several people of all different ages to share some of their experiences as Montessori Children. Here is what they had to say.

Anna

Current occupation: Student

Years attended Montessori: 2-current

Name of Montessori School you attended: Whole Child Montessori Center

Favorite thing to do in School: extended day time, the projects, doing the addition strip board

How does Montessori make you feel?: It makes me feel good because there are lots of good things to do!

Sophie

Current occupation: 8^th Grade student at da Vinci Arts Middle School

Name of Montessori School you attended: Whole Child Montessori Center.

Ages of attendance: 3 1/2 - 6 1/2

Favorite memory from school: I think I would have to say all that projects and activities we did! I loved the sewing and bracelet making stations. I also loved painting and tracing pictures. All of that is probably why I'm at an art school now.

When you think about your educational experience, what comes to mind?: I remember that I really had a lot of fun everyday I went to school! The projects were great, all my friends were great, and the teacher was amazing! When I go back to Whole Child to help out in the Summer I see the all the little kids working there, helping each other and learning so much every day. It's hard to believe that I was once one of them. I sincerely believe that I wouldn't be who I am today without my experience at Whole Child.

Emily

Current Occupation: Primary Trainee at MINW

Name of Montessori School you attended: Whole Child Montessori Center, Montessori School of Beaverton, Montessori Adolescent Project Northwest

Ages of attendance: 2.7-14

Favorite memory from school: I have so many. From Primary, I loved the Sink and Float activity and sitting on carpet samples for story time. In Elementary, I have fond memories of my reports on Eskimos, Medieval Europe and so many interesting topics. I loved going to Outdoor School each year and putting on theatrical productions of Caddie Woodlawn and Twelfth Night. At MAP-NW my favorite memories were going to the farm. There I enjoyed cleaning the horse barn, whacking back blackberries with a machete and cooking home grown meals with my friends. 

When you think about your educational experience, what comes to mind?: I just feel so lucky. Now that I am taking the training, I appreciate even more the amazing experiences I had growing up. I can recognize that so many of my strengths and abilities can be traced directly back to Montessori. I see that so many people would benefit from this model of education and I am excited to continue the work that Maria Montessori began so many years ago.

Molly

Current Occupation: Student (in MINW's primary training)

Name of Montessori School you attended: Montessori Country Day School and Montessori School of Long Grove

Ages of attendance: Ages 4-9; 9-12

Favorite memory from school: So many! I really enjoyed the plays and musical productions we performed in upper elementary.   They were entirely student-produced--the research, the scripts, choreography, set, props--and we would typically involve the school's younger communities in it too.

When you think about your educational experience, what comes to mind?: Even though I've been immersed in conventional academic settings for the past fourteen years, when I think of my educational experience, I think of Montessori; maybe it's because I try to focus on the positive.