Last week I had the opportunity to participate in two exciting Montessori events that directly effect New York City. The week started with the inaugural meeting of the Center for Montessori Education in the Public Sector. You can read more about this meeting in my blog posted on October 4, 2011. Scroll down. You will see it.
On Thursday, October 6, 2011 I was invited to participate in the Panel Discussion as part of the Ribbon Cutting at the New York City Montessori Charter School. In addition to myself, the following people spoke: Teri Canaday from the Montessori Center in Jackson, TN, Dirk Tillotson Director of the NY Charter School Incubator and Joanne Falinsky, the Education Consultant for Charter and public schools. AMS Executive Director, Richard Ungerer facilitated the panel. We discussed the goals of education, Montessori education, and the marriage between a charter school and Montessori education. It was a very informative session for the parents, educators and community members who were in attendance.
What this means for us is that there are more choices for parents when considering elementary school. This new charter is the FIRST Montessori Charter in the state of New York, and it is located in our city! More children will be exposed to Montessori education and more politicians will be exposed to the benefits that a Montessori education can provide. Yes, it is an exiting time for Montessori in New York City!