Orcas Montessori Teaches More Than Three “Rs”

— from Teresa Chocano —

“Welcome to our classroom. How can we help you?”

Knock on the door of the Orcas Montessori School and a trio of children will welcome you with this greeting. That’s just one example of many ways in which the teaching staff works to foster concepts of courtesy and grace, dignity and respect, empathy and compassion. For more than 25 years, Orcas Montessori teachers have guided Orcas Island children, nurturing them to become caring and confident citizens of the community.

Montessori is a time-tested educational method specifically designed to respond to the needs and gifts of young children and to expand with their natural stages of development. Self-motivation and independence are characteristics of Montessori students.

Here, on Orcas, we have created a carefully planned learning environment in which all aspects of a child’s school life are integrated into one cohesive whole. Folding one’s coat and removing one’s shoes upon entrance. Choosing which school work to pursue throughout the day. Tending the classroom’s plants. Setting the lunch tables with linens, place cards and flowers. By exposing the children to all this “work,” they learn to engage with purpose and satisfaction and begin to be self-directive, to discover themselves and be part of their community.

The school still has openings for children 2 ½ – 5 in our morning and afternoon classrooms for fall. Please call Teresa at 376-5350 for more information and to inquire about ECEAP, Working Connections and Tuition Assistance opportunities.