About Spokane Public Montessori
2009-2010
Board of Directors
- Wendy Peter
President
Balboa Parent - Kathryn Picanco
President-Elect
Jefferson Parent - Position Available
Treasurer
Parent - Donna Evenson
Secretary
Jefferson Parent
- Sandra Bancroft-Billings
Webmaster
Jefferson Parent - Roxane Caprye
Balboa Parent - Rhonda Clark
Balboa Parent - Amalie Day
Past President
Jefferson Parent - Jan Karel
Jefferson Parent - Colleen King
Balboa Teacher Rep - Meredith Lombardi
Balboa/CoMP North Chair - Pat Lynass
Balboa Principal - Becky Marshall
Jefferson Parent - Lori Rodriquez
Balboa Parent - Gayle Waner
Jefferson Teacher Rep - Karyn Woodard
Jefferson/CoMP South Chair - Mary-Dean Wooley
Liaison to District 81 and Jefferson Principal
CoMP North and South
Committees
In the early 1900’s, Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman physician, developed educational materials and methods based on her belief that children learn best by doing, not by passively accepting other people’s ideas and pre-existing knowledge. Dr. Montessori believed learning should occur in multi-age classrooms where children at various stages of development learn from and with each other. Her advice was always, “Follow the child.”
The Montessori approach succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child. The first level of development occurs from birth to age 6. At this stage, children are sensorial explorers, constructing their intellects by absorbing every aspect of their environment, their language and their culture. From age 6 to 12, children become conceptual explorers. They develop their powers of abstraction and imagination, and apply their knowledge to discover and expand their worlds further. Schools are organized to reflect these stages; Primary classrooms 3–6 year olds, Lower Elementary 6–9 and Upper Elementary 9–12.
The Montessori teacher’s role is that of an observer, whose ultimate goal is to intervene less and less as the child develops. The teacher creates an atmosphere of calm and order in the classroom and is there to help and encourage the children in their efforts, allowing them to develop self-confidence and inner discipline. With the younger students at each level, the teacher is more active, demonstrating the use of materials and presenting activities. Knowing how to observe constructively and when to intervene is one of the most important talents the Montessori teacher acquires through Montessori education and experience.
Association Montessori Internationale Affiliation
Spokane Public Schools Montessori is an AMI-USA affiliated program. We strive to maintain close adherence to Montessori standards and guidelines. As part of the certification process, a trainer from AMI-USA visits every three years to evaluate our program, teachers and facilities. CoMP supports this process by providing funding for transportation and expenses for the trainer.
AMI-USA is affiliated with Association Montessori Internationale, the international body which strives to maintain the integrity of Maria Montessori's work, and to ensure that it will be perpetuated.
Community of Montessori Parents
Directors are appointed to the CoMP Board of Directors by the respective Jefferson or Balboa Parent Teacher Groups in the Spring before taking office.
Community of Montessori Parents (CoMP) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. CoMP operates under bylaws established at its inception and last updated in 2001.The specific objectives and purposes of CoMP are:
- To develop a vision and strategic plan regarding the future direction of the Spokane Public Schools Montessori Program.
- To increase access to an Association Montessori Internationale, (AMI), education to students of Spokane Public Schools.
- By increasing the number of classrooms.
- By assisting in the hiring process of AMI trained teachers.
- By offering informational and other support to those willing to obtain AMI training.
- To coordinate and facilitate communication to all established sites.
- To provide support and ensure equal opportunities to teachers at all sites.
- To facilitate program objectives and common activities at all sites.
- To serve as a focus for public relations with Spokane Public Schools and the general community.
- To provide for program evaluation.
- To provide a forum to address issues and/or concerns raised by its membership (all teachers and parents of students in the program).
For more information you may read the bylaws* and our Montessori Parent Handbook*.
*Requires the PDF Reader available FREE from Adobe.com.