Grace and Courtesy

One of the things that I deeply enjoy about the Montessori Method is that it provides children with an opportunity to learn "within themselves". What I mean is this. While there are certain conditions that must be put in place in order to make a Montessori environment and its members conducive to learning, the child is not forced to follow a regimented curriculum that was first put upon a student population that leans heavily on non-fixed life factors (socio-economic levels, dominant cultural narratives etc), but on what binds us together as the one human community: stages of human development. This leaves room for a child to be themselves as they are driven by their inner determination to grow and thrive within their specific societies. In the children's house (3-6) as well as the lower elementary (6-9) and beyond, children are given the tools they need to learn and practice peace in a community. Then they are given morsels of the whole world, able to go as in depth as t...

The Gauges of our Lives At the beginning of every month, I like to do an inventory of where I am in completing my goals. I made a vision board for the first time this year and it still matters to me (in spite of the unprecedented nature of this year's global events) to accomplish each of the ideas I established. I will finish my Montessori certification after a few years of striving. I will pay off three of my student loans (I've already done 1), and the list goes on.  But along with this inventory of goals, I also do an overall health check. I often use this model from Leaders Life and Work blog . I consider the month that has transpired and ask myself the question, "How am I actually doing? Am I taking care of myself?" The results lead to planning how to better steward my time talents and treasures in the coming month. As this is the beginning of July, I realize that we are now halfway done with 2020. While there is some excitement in this realization, it gives me y...