Sun Country Montessori: Serving El Paso’s Children
By Arlynne Martinez
Sun Country Montessori is not a ‘traditional’ school with teacher-directed learning, but rather a more progressive style learning where teachers are guiding children through the learning process and encouraging independence.
The philosophy for this early childhood education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori who believed in encouraging self-discipline and responsibility; her idea was essentially to “follow the child.” Dr. Montessori was born in Italy in 1870, attended the University of Rome in 1890 with the endorsement of Pope Leo XIII, became a woman’s activist, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in three consecutive years: 1949, 1950, and 1951.
Through her studies in educational philosophy she came to realize that children who were placed in an environment to support their natural development had the power to educate themselves. Dr. Montessori believes that early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his or her own natural desire to learn. Her philosophy of early childhood education has helped expand and cultivate growth not only in young minds, but also in the expansion of the El Paso region.
Sun Country Montessori is not a ‘traditional’ school with teacher-directed learning, but rather a more progressive style learning where teachers are guiding children through the learning process and encouraging independence.
The philosophy for this early childhood education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori who believed in encouraging self-discipline and responsibility; her idea was essentially to “follow the child.” Dr. Montessori was born in Italy in 1870, attended the University of Rome in 1890 with the endorsement of Pope Leo XIII, became a woman’s activist, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in three consecutive years: 1949, 1950, and 1951.
Through her studies in educational philosophy she came to realize that children who were placed in an environment to support their natural development had the power to educate themselves. Dr. Montessori believes that early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his or her own natural desire to learn. Her philosophy of early childhood education has helped expand and cultivate growth not only in young minds, but also in the expansion of the El Paso region.
There has been a steady increase in economic development in the far east El Paso area, and Sun Country is no exception. Construction on a new building has begun to take way in order to accommodate the demand for students to attend. The current Sun Country Montessori includes 2 classrooms and occupies 60 students. The new building is expected to provide a total of 4 large classrooms and is going to increase the occupancy to roughly between 120 to 140 students. This school has proven its effectiveness even with no current advertisement other than a Facebook page; there had to be a change to satisfy the constant wait list that emerges for children to attend.
What activities are conducted at Sun Country Montessori?
The Montessori program at Sun Country includes mathematics, language, sciences, sensorial exercises, practical life exercises and art. The approach of the program is executed in two ways: first by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by his or her own choice, as opposed to being forced; and second, by helping children perfect all their natural tools for learning, so that those abilities will be at their maximum in future learning situations. I myself have come to develop a deep appreciation to the methods and philosophies practiced at Sun Country Montessori, which have had a positive impact on my child’s cognitive skills. Personally, I have noticed a special bond of love and respect between my child and her teacher, and as a parent this provides me with a comforting feeling every time I drop her off for school. I believe this bond is a direct result of the enriched educational environment Sun Country provides. Student don’t only receive material to learn, but are engaged in a learning experience that improves all senses; some for example include cooking, baking, cleaning, and caring for the class pet. Through fundraising activities, she potentially learns how to market and sell goods to achieve a predetermined goal. When a conflict arises, students don’t run to “tell the teacher” but instead are encouraged to self-analyze the situation and use critical thinking to resolve the issue amongst themselves. I am happy that my child does not go to school to sit at her desk all day, but instead takes part in interactive activities. Activities also takes place outside of the classroom from having a kite day or water day to reciting the pledge allegiance at City Hall with the Mayor of El Paso.
I strongly believe that Sun Country Montessori has proven to serve El Paso’s Children through its mission to foster a lifelong love of learning in a happy, nurturing, stimulating environment, where each child is able to develop academically, emotionally, and socially to their greatest potential.
What activities are conducted at Sun Country Montessori?
The Montessori program at Sun Country includes mathematics, language, sciences, sensorial exercises, practical life exercises and art. The approach of the program is executed in two ways: first by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by his or her own choice, as opposed to being forced; and second, by helping children perfect all their natural tools for learning, so that those abilities will be at their maximum in future learning situations. I myself have come to develop a deep appreciation to the methods and philosophies practiced at Sun Country Montessori, which have had a positive impact on my child’s cognitive skills. Personally, I have noticed a special bond of love and respect between my child and her teacher, and as a parent this provides me with a comforting feeling every time I drop her off for school. I believe this bond is a direct result of the enriched educational environment Sun Country provides. Student don’t only receive material to learn, but are engaged in a learning experience that improves all senses; some for example include cooking, baking, cleaning, and caring for the class pet. Through fundraising activities, she potentially learns how to market and sell goods to achieve a predetermined goal. When a conflict arises, students don’t run to “tell the teacher” but instead are encouraged to self-analyze the situation and use critical thinking to resolve the issue amongst themselves. I am happy that my child does not go to school to sit at her desk all day, but instead takes part in interactive activities. Activities also takes place outside of the classroom from having a kite day or water day to reciting the pledge allegiance at City Hall with the Mayor of El Paso.
I strongly believe that Sun Country Montessori has proven to serve El Paso’s Children through its mission to foster a lifelong love of learning in a happy, nurturing, stimulating environment, where each child is able to develop academically, emotionally, and socially to their greatest potential.