New Gate School
New Gate School | Montessori
I thought it fitting that the first "Think Outside the Desk" post should feature the school that opened my eyes to non-traditional education. Four years ago a fellow parent at my daughter's daycare mentioned that her older son attended a Montessori school. I had heard the word Montessori--vaguely remembered reading that it was self-directed learning. For some reason I envisioned "hippie-like" teenagers studying artsy topics. Two weeks later I took a tour of New Gate Montessori School. I was absolutely blown away. I walked into a classroom of 3-6 year olds and each one was independently working. I had never seen, and still have never seen, any classroom come close to the level of engagement of those tiny children. They didn't even notice that I walked in the room. In their faces I saw purpose and determination. There were no rows of desks, no teacher talking "at" the students. Some children were at tables, some sitting on small rugs, some in small groups, some working alone. But, each was engaged and independent and happy--a truly inspiring sight. I signed my 1 year old up that day. She is now almost 5 and has been at New Gate Montessori School since she was 18 months old. I'm thrilled that she is reading and writing at 4 years old. But, more importantly, I can see that she loves to learn and that she is directing her own learning. Each day when I pick her up, I find her engaged in a lesson--geography, botany, history, culture, music, art, and on and on. She never wants to leave her "work". Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bring that level of enthusiasm to all children? http://www.newgate.edu/
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