Maria Montessori taught us to believe in the potential and value of every child. As Montessorians, it is our intention to provide an environment where children and adults alike are seen and respected, and to seek to understand others for their differences and similarities. We believe a future that is genuinely equitable for all is in the hands of the children.
On September 3, 2020, our staff of 54 people engaged in an all day virtual workshop with Britt Hawthorne, a Montessorian and Anti-Bias Anti-Racism (ABAR) consultant from Houston, TX. Britt took us on a journey of self-reflection, deep discussion, and mutual agreements resulting in our commitment to ABAR education at The Children’s House.
During the 2020-2021 school year, we will facilitate age-appropriate opportunities for conversations, materials in the classrooms that reflect the experience of every child, and opportunities and resources to support discussions at home.
The approach will be different at each level, as we want to be thoughtful about developmentally appropriate topics and content for the children. Most importantly, we want every child to feel safe to ask questions, share opinions, and learn to listen to others, and be their authentic selves.