The Children's House

 Our journey to Detroit started bright and early. As we drove our school vans into the city, we made memories that will last a lifetime. When we finally arrived after the vigorous drive, we headed straight to the DIA. We got to take in meaningful art and creations while reflecting on the pieces we loved. We described what we saw, thought, and wondered about five pieces in five different, unique exhibits. This truly helped us break down the art and gain a deeper understanding of it. After the DIA, we went to Meijer and got our food for the week! Soon after, we ended our day at the tasty Bucharest Grill.

On day two, we had a slow morning that we enhanced with a fresh variety of bagels, and many indulged in warm tea. After the morning meeting, we ventured over to the Charles M. Wright Museum. This museum taught us all about African American history. Our lovely tour guide, Ja-tu, not only took us through a museum but also took us through a story. The rooms and makeshift town really made us feel deeply about this topic and truly opened our eyes to history. After the museum, we had a lovely picnic-like lunch at Lasalle Park. After filling ourselves with delicious sandwiches, we ventured to the Motown Museum. Here, we learned almost everything about Motown and truly dived deeply into this topic. We even got the opportunity to stand in the studio where famous Motown artists such as the Temptations and Stevie Wonder once sang. After learning the Temptations walk, we headed back to the hostel to relax before the Detroit Pistons game.

When we arrived at the Detroit Pistons game, we found our seats and got Detroit style pizza and other flavorful food items. After we munched on our food, the basketball was tipped, and the game began. We were all very hyped and having the time of our lives, and, of course, the goal is to get on the Megatron; we achieved that goal 14 times!! Thank you to the guides for putting up with our shenanigans!

Now, day three was upon us. We started our day full of learning at the Ford River Rouge Plant. We got to watch two very interesting presentations; one about history and the second all about how to build an F-150. Everyone really enjoyed the elaborate presentation on the step-by-step process of how to build the Ford F-150. After, we walked through the manufacturing and assembly lines. Our wonderful tour guides helped show us all the cool tools and machines that are used. After we left the plant, we enjoyed lunch at the Michigan Central Station. We got to go inside and learn about the history. After our time at the station, we visited the famous Belle Isle. We got to see the oldest aquarium in the US and a beautiful conservatory. After seeing all the types of fish, we headed downtown to look at all the monuments and learn more about the history of our country. We explained our knowledge about the underground railroad and the Civil War. After our brief history lesson, we had dinner at the Detroit Shipping Co. After a wonderful dinner, we called it a night and headed home.    

Sadly, the fourth day had come, and it was time to head home. But first, we got to visit Greenfield Village. This village is a collection of historic houses founded by the Ford family. The village is basically a living outdoor museum.  Here, there is a famous working carousel, a farm, and a Model T drive. We got to ride a horse carriage, enjoy a carousel built in 1913, and even stand in Thomas Edison's famous laboratory. After another wonderful historical experience, we headed home in our vans.

Thank you so much to our guides and the school for letting us have this wonderful trip in Detroit!

Student Biographers: Ava and Gwendolyn
Student Photographers: by Olivia, Vaughn, Adrienne, and Hank

When I think about The Children’s House, one simple truth comes to mind: this place is me.

I was a Montessori child. Like so many of our students, I had the freedom to move, to ask questions, and to explore things deeply without someone rushing me to the “right” answer. That early experience shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until much later.

As an adult, I became a traditional teacher. I stepped into that world because I loved children, but something didn’t feel right. I found myself constantly pushing against the structure. I was rushing children, correcting them, and silencing their curiosity so we could “stay on schedule.” Eventually, I realized that everything I knew about children and how they truly learn, I could not do in that setting.

So I came home to Montessori.

I moved to Traverse City for a position at The Children’s House. I then married a Children’s House alum. And now, our two-year-old daughter is part of the Young Children’s Community.

This place, this philosophy, is in every corner of my life. It’s how I parent. It’s how I teach. It’s how I live. It’s not just a job. It’s my family. It embodies everything I believe about children, about people, about what it means to grow.

This growing journey I’ve experienced as a Montessorian, as a professional, and as a mother,  it’s mirrored every day in the classroom. We talk about the children growing, but the adults grow too. We grow together.

Montessori is not about adults pouring knowledge into children like empty vessels. It’s about guiding them as they construct their own understanding,  through curiosity, independence, and exploration.

That’s why, when a child builds the Pink Tower out of order, I don’t correct them. I wait. I wait for them to notice it’s wobbling. I wait for the moment the pieces click into place (not just physically, but in their minds). When their eyes light up with that moment of I did it, that’s the magic.

It’s why, when they ask a question I don’t know the answer to, we research together.

It’s why I don’t rush to solve their conflicts. I sit back, I observe, I trust. Because I know they can do it. And when they do, they grow. And so do I.

These intentional practices don’t just stay in the classroom. They change who we are as people.

When I leave school and see a neighbor struggling with groceries, I remember how we show kindness in the classroom, and I offer to help. When I sit down to dinner with family members who see the world differently than I do, I remember how we guide children to navigate disagreement with respect and curiosity…and I try to do the same.

This community doesn't just grow children. It grows people. It grows parents, and teachers, and neighbors, and citizens of the world. It shapes who we are and who we are becoming.

Because of you, we can create environments full of beauty and intention. Because of you, teachers like me are supported to continue growing. Because of you, children are empowered to become thoughtful, compassionate, capable human beings.

 From the bottom of my heart, from one Montessori child, teacher, mother, and now a Children’s House parent to another, thank you for growing with us.