A Spartan's Update

Friends-

Several students asked me to keep them updated via the blog on my life at MSU.  For that reason, this blog will live on for a while!  

Here's what I can share so far!  First, I will be supervising student teachers at an elementary school in Grand Rapids and I will be teaching a 'teaching literacy' class on campus.  The class will be for college juniors/seniors who are planning to be elementary teachers.  I am also taking classes on campus ALL DAY on Tuesdays.  I'm pretty excited about my classes, one of them is a literacy class focusing on the history of literacy research and instruction.  I'll be on campus three days a week this fall.

Am I ready?  I don't know, I guess we'll find out soon!  I'm working on preparing all my materials for the class I'll be teaching and trying to cram all that *stuff* into my home office has been highly entertaining.  All I can say is...God Bless Ikea!

Ikea aside, I'm incredibly touched by my Waukazoo co-workers' generosity.  They made sure I was equipped with all the essentials.  Check it out!

Even Holly is embracing her Inner Spartan!

Not to worry, Danny...Mrs. Wagner made sure a Michigan item made it into the mix!

I begin my work life on August 16.  I'll be working pretty consistently from that point forward until I begin classes the week of August 26.  I'll post a few pictures of my first week on campus!

Birthdays

This year I tried to take birthday photos in our birthday crown.  I know I missed some people (Sorry, Zoe!!) but many students are in this album.  Enjoy!

A special thanks to Google for changing how photos are stored.  At this time I cannot figure out to share a slideshow album.  Sigh...

https://plus.google.com/photos/101149659870211943698/albums/5796028151172669665?authkey=CL_RvJXxkpS30QE

Wonder and Worry

I'm hoping that you are reading this post days after it's written!  That means you are playing outside, going for ice cream, at the beach...etc.  However, you may also be online because like me you're a news junkie!

West Ottawa Public Schools has already put steps in place to find a new Upper Montessori teacher.  Please know that they are committed to finding someone with Montessori experience who will be excited to teach at Waukazoo.

Several years ago when Mrs. Sale was first hired to begin her Montessori training and open a new first through third grade classroom we had many parents that called and emailed administration and other WZ Montessori teachers telling us they "only wanted Mrs. Klinger, not the new teacher," and that we needed to carefully develop this new classroom.  Today, Mrs. Sale is a well-loved and hard-working Montessori teacher!  Her students come into 4th grade prepared to work hard and they are excited about learning through Montessori.  Mrs. Sale succeeded because she was committed and because she was supported by her parents and fellow teachers.

I've heard rumors that parents are planning to leave the Montessori program to go into a traditional classroom, that parents are contacting other Montessori teachers about what to do... my first thought was to leave this all alone.  However, I wanted to write this post to simply say that I hope you will stay with the Montessori program and that you will support the new teacher.  We don't know who this is yet, but West Ottawa Schools will do everything in its power to make sure that this person is a good fit for the Montessori program, just as it did with all the other teachers that have been hired for WoMo Montessori.  I can also speak from experience and tell you that when a child moves from a Montessori classroom to a traditional classroom...they aren't challenged in the same way.  They just aren't.

I began my Montessori career at a charter Montessori school in 1997.  When I started I was not yet trained in Montessori and I wasn't supported by many of the parents.  This is a tough place to be when you're in a new program.   I persevered because the staff I was working with believed that I had it in me!

Please be that parent that allows the other Montessori teachers to enjoy their summer, that supports the program, that stays with the program!  I hope you will be around to help the new teacher join Waukazoo Montessori!

All the best-

Mrs. Perrien

More photos!

Thank you again, volunteers, for all you did this school year!

Discovery Days

Spring Projects

These include dioramas, body projects, and pulling Garlic Mustard with our kindergarten buddies.

Discovery Days

Great photos!