1. What is the story behind the founding of the Montessori School of Syracuse?
We are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th anniversary at Montessori School of Syracuse (MSS) this year. It seems like only yesterday we founded our school—Mary O’Connor, Susan French-Lawyer, and Patricia Choice Getz—for our own children and for the wider community of Central New York. In 1995, we had just seven students and one teacher. Today we have 150 students and a staff of 30!
Our first location was the former Temple Beth El on Genesee Street, and after only five years, in the fall of 2000, we were forced to relocate due to an arson fire directed at the temple. We found a temporary home at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church and then moved to our current campus on Waldorf Parkway in DeWitt.
2. What sets the school apart or makes it unique?
We offer a unique vision of education to our students, who begin learning with us at age 3, and continue through sixth grade. Montessori education offers a developmental model of learning, beginning with our youngest students, who are eager to learn and soak up information like sponges. The brains of children ages 0–6 were described by Dr. Montessori as absorbent minds, as they are hardwired to effortlessly absorb what is around them.
At MSS, we provide learning environments that are rich in engaging manipulative materials that allow our students to learn at their own pace in our multi-aged classrooms. Montessori materials are beautifully crafted and cover curriculum areas not usually found at the preschool and kindergarten levels, including cursive writing, geography, biology, and physics.
Our school’s Montessori curriculum is grounded in our values of peace education, teaching communication skills, appreciation and study of other cultures, and nature education at our 50-acre land laboratory in Pompey. In addition to providing a strong academic curriculum, our goal is to help our students become global citizens and caretakers of our planet.
3. Can you tell us a little about your staff?
Our Montessori-trained teachers make educational miracles occur every day by guiding the children as they move through the curriculum at their own pace. Every child learns differently, and with their highly skilled approach to guiding the children, our teachers see their students as unique individuals. By identifying what lesson a particular child is ready for, they spark each child’s innate excitement about learning. Our teachers are unique as they “follow the child” in their learning and are passionate about working in an environment that fosters respect and collaboration at all levels.
4. Do you have any celebrations planned for your 30th anniversary?
We will be celebrating our 30th with every school-wide event, including our Harvest Festival, Peace Celebration, Cultural Festival, and spring parent social during the year.
Know an educator who deserves a mention? Email [email protected].
