Montessori Education & Community Service
The Authentic Montessori program is much more than just a classroom; it is an educational community of individuals who must work together daily.
From a student’s first day in a Primary (preschool) class of the Montessori education program, they learn they have a responsibility to themselves and others. Initially guided by the teacher, students hold meetings, express their opinions, and are allowed to make collective decisions. They learn to be critical and fair decision-makers, make compromises, and recognize the need for individuals to work together cooperatively.
This process becomes more and more advanced as students move forward in the Montessori education program. Classrooms become working democracies that help our students fully understand their role as citizens.
Our older students recognize that we are a community within a larger community; we are all citizens of our world, and have obligations to behave in compassionate and caring ways.
We introduce the concept of community service by asking ourselves, “How is my school community doing? What can I contribute to make this a better place?”
Older children enter the Primary classrooms to help with art projects and reading. We do work to care for our grounds and gardens. We also try to be thoughtful and caring to all members of our community by learning to observe and make decisions about what would be a useful contribution.
Past Community Service Contributions
In a larger scheme, each school year brings different opportunities. For example, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Elementary children of Riverstone Montessori Academy decided to organize what they called a “Combo-A-Thon” in which children could do a variety of activities to earn money to donate to the American Red Cross. They ran laps, shot baskets, did jumping jacks, and other exercises, to earn money for the number of activities completed. On a beautiful fall day, the children of Riverstone Montessori Academy raised $2,300 for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Our Adolescent Program students are at an age when they are developing conscious habits that may last a lifetime. We believe that developing the habit of philanthropy is important. All Adolescent Program students choose projects to become more formally involved in. In 2007-2008, the Riverstone Montessori Academy Adolescent Program students gave back to their communities by helping with tornado relief after the tornadoes struck downtown Atlanta. They also monitored local lakes for water quality and started a recycling program on campus.
Environmental awareness is as important as community service in Montessori education. It is our goal as a school to become increasingly environmentally aware.
Recently, our Adolescent Program students established a recycling program that is available to the community and designed a composting program. We would also like to investigate how we can decrease our CO2 emissions as a school. Stay tuned!