I’ve observed Clanmore with fascination for a number of years. I’ve been an educator for much of my life and I’ve never seen a school like it. We all know that there are many Montessori Schools. Most are not worthy of the name. Clanmore is, in every sense of the word exceptional. In thirty-one years as a University Professor and senior academic administrator I experienced how many young people had been maimed by their educational experiences. It’s difficult for the educational system (one might say “mechanism”) to deal with exceptional children. It certainly has no capacity to cope with creativity or the child’s natural tendencies to challenge boundaries. For part of my life, during my doctoral studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, my colleagues and I used to agonize over the cookie cutter approach of most schools. I never thought I’d actually find something that approached the ideal. Then two of my grandchildren were enrolled in Clanmore. In that environment I discovered a group of teachers who, without exception, were dedicated to dealing with each child as an individual who was filled with potential. The administrators of the school displayed an enthusiasm for an enterprise they clearly viewed as a type of mission. I must admit I thought, rather cynically, that the high level of commitment could not continue. Even at the university level I had become familiar with what is referred to as “teacher burnout”. However, over the years the environment only improved. Clearly the investment was paying off and the children thoroughly enjoyed attending the school. I often thought of my own dismal experiences in the public school system when I was a child and the pain and humiliation that was often inflicted on the very young. When it came time for my granddaughters to move on to other teaching modes they continued to excel. Moreover they viewed those new experiences in a mature way and the saw, clearly, the limitations of more conventional systems of pedagogy. The important observation is, however, that they were strong enough and sufficiently well prepared to deal with what some people insist on calling “the real world”. I salute the staff and the administrators of Clanmore for their achievements, and I will be eternally thankful for the gift they have given my granddaughters. They have helped mold two sensitive young women and have given them a capacity to make the world a better place. While other educational systems diminish the natural potential of the children under their care, Clanmore instills a sense of confidence and awareness that is truly remarkable. How fortunate we are to have this school in our community.
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ReplyDeleteI’ve observed Clanmore with fascination for a number of years. I’ve been an educator for much of my life and I’ve never seen a school like it. We all know that there are many Montessori Schools. Most are not worthy of the name. Clanmore is, in every sense of the word exceptional. In thirty-one years as a University Professor and senior academic administrator I experienced how many young people had been maimed by their educational experiences. It’s difficult for the educational system (one might say “mechanism”) to deal with exceptional children. It certainly has no capacity to cope with creativity or the child’s natural tendencies to challenge boundaries.
ReplyDeleteFor part of my life, during my doctoral studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, my colleagues and I used to agonize over the cookie cutter approach of most schools. I never thought I’d actually find something that approached the ideal. Then two of my grandchildren were enrolled in Clanmore. In that environment I discovered a group of teachers who, without exception, were dedicated to dealing with each child as an individual who was filled with potential. The administrators of the school displayed an enthusiasm for an enterprise they clearly viewed as a type of mission. I must admit I thought, rather cynically, that the high level of commitment could not continue. Even at the university level I had become familiar with what is referred to as “teacher burnout”. However, over the years the environment only improved. Clearly the investment was paying off and the children thoroughly enjoyed attending the school. I often thought of my own dismal experiences in the public school system when I was a child and the pain and humiliation that was often inflicted on the very young.
When it came time for my granddaughters to move on to other teaching modes they continued to excel. Moreover they viewed those new experiences in a mature way and the saw, clearly, the limitations of more conventional systems of pedagogy. The important observation is, however, that they were strong enough and sufficiently well prepared to deal with what some people insist on calling “the real world”.
I salute the staff and the administrators of Clanmore for their achievements, and I will be eternally thankful for the gift they have given my granddaughters. They have helped mold two sensitive young women and have given them a capacity to make the world a better place. While other educational systems diminish the natural potential of the children under their care, Clanmore instills a sense of confidence and awareness that is truly remarkable.
How fortunate we are to have this school in our community.
I'm just waiting for the 'next generation' of teachers to come along who can say "I was a student at Clanmore, and now I'm a teacher here.
ReplyDeleteI was really busy when I noticed the video but it was so interesting I had to watch it twice!
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