I want to talk to you about a place that means the world to me. In this place I learned to grow, I learned to be kind to others, I learned to take charge of something if I felt strongly about it, I learned how to be an individual and to be proud of it! Most importantly, I learned that to learn you don't have to sit in front of chalk board and listen to someone else talk, you learn by doing. That is what the Montessori school system is all about, hands on, doing it yourself. I am a graduate from Clanmore Montessori school in Oakville, Ontario. I spent nine amazing years there. I sometimes think, who would I be now if I hadn't gone there? Clanmore is not just a school where you learn math and science and English, the Clanmore philosophy is a way of life. That strong philosophy molded me into the person I am today. The reason I started this blog is not to just talk about how great Clanmore is. Clanmore is losing children in there upper elementary (grade 4 - 6). The parents are pulling them out because they don't think they are "learning enough" just because Clanmore doesn't have a huge gym and a computer lab and the kids aren't sitting in front of a chalk board. What the parents don't get, is it's not about what the school has, but what their children would take away with them from the school which is: knowledge, a love of learning and perhaps most importantly, a strong sense of self.
You can E-mail me at the-fix-it-movement@live.com
When I was in lower elementary (grade 1 - 3) someone got in a fight with someone else and our teacher (who is the best teacher I have ever had) came up with a little rhyme, No Shame, No Blame, No Apologies, No Excuses - Just Fix It! That is what I'm doing I am going to fix this problem because I do not want any child to miss out on the experience that I had. So you can just call me "The Fix It Girl."
Check out the Clanmore website http://www.clanmoremontessori.com
I totally agree with the fix it girl how could you not! clanmore is an amazing place I mean I went there for 11 years it has to be amazing! I wanted to say that a school does not have to have testing and mean teachers for a child to learn . when I graduated from clanmore I was so upset that I had to leave i knew that I would miss sooo many thing like walking into school and not getting a hug from your favorite teacher I don't even think that you could call them that more like friends that teach you math, english, french but that wasn't all they taught us they taught us valuable life lessons like how to fix a problem,to be confident in everything you do, to stand up for what you believe in and to never ever doubt your self. well thats all i have to say ...... for now! as of that good job fix it girl I'm right behind you!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I learned everything from this amazing school. The teachers at this school were so kind and nice, they didnt trouble you with deadlines and due dates, they adjusted to you're timeline and helped you shorten the amount of time it would take you to finish a project, or write a story. This is one of the many examples of how Clanmore improves your abilities. I am in grade 8 now and on the honor roll. I spent all of my learning years form casa to grade 6 at Calnmore and I give extreme thanks to this school for everything it has done for me. Kepp heading strong!
ReplyDeleteI agree too. Clanmore has taught me everything. And not just school work but also to always be kind and to always do the best I can. Leaving clanmore was scary. But now I am almost done my grade seven year at appleby college, I have an 88% average and I am in advanced math. Thats the magic of clanmore, there is such a perfect balence that I dont think you can find anywhere else. I have met kids from other montisorri schools, but not even they went to a school as special as clanmore. Its an amazing one of a kind school and its what made me, me. I could write forever about clanmore but the basic point is, every kid should get the chance to learn and grow at clanmore, I know I'm lucky i got the chance.
ReplyDeletei want to say that after i graduated from clanmore and went to a new school and when we would have a test people would get all stressed out and they would wonder why i wasn't and the reason i wasn't is because at clanmore you were always told that you do the best that you can and that is all you can do and people saying that clanmore dosn't test well they prepair you to what you are going to be doing the next year so clanmore did prepare me for what i embarked on and well i am doing great on tests and am always confident in what i do i think any child that goes to clanmore is living proof to show the amazing things that clanmore can do!
ReplyDeleteWe can all be seduced by the new technology, the new approaches and philosophy's of education. Ours is a fast information society and our impulse is to think that if we don't keep up we will be left behind. Sometimes our fears and insecurities don't allow us to really assess things in a clear and dispassionate way.
ReplyDeleteMaria Montessori created a method of teaching that is brilliant because it fosters the child natural inclination to learn into an environment that guarantees success.
Clanmore is a school that values and believes in that philosophy. I have seen the children really come to enjoy learning and the satisfaction and confidence that comes from this self directed approach. With the teachers as caring guides the students work through their tasks on their own. They seem to love the process and it is apparent from watching them in this wonderful environment.
If we will take the time to really look at the far reaching benefits of such a nurturing setting I don't see how we can all not come to the conclusion that this is the best experience we can give our kids.
Before we move to the next new thing it is only reasonable that we are sure it truly is better. I dont think I have seen a school or learning philosophy yet that I think is better than Clanmore's
The just fix it girl hit the nail on the head. Her clear and well reasoned argument is proof enough that this is a great school.
ReplyDeleteYou go Girl
We all want the best for our children. We want them to have every opportunity that life has to offer and we want them to learn and be happy. At Clanmore the children are encouraged to do all of this in a beautiful bright environment. They are treated with respect and dignity. I have had the opportunity to observe and work in other schools but have never been more impressed than when I watch these children at work. They move with such confidence and ease and with a sense of purpose that first strikes you as odd for such young children . What you realize is that the environment fosters this autonomy which allows the child to problem solve and encourages them to explore new ways of thinking. The environment and the curriculum is brilliantly organized to allow for a "custom fit" for each child. The capacity for a school to adjust to the child rather than the other way around means that it does not run solely on policy or procedure but is founded on intellect, skill and integrity. At Clanmore the children are viewed as individuals who come with their own unique talents and personalities. They are encouraged to be their authentic selves and to develop into the best that they can be. The children leave feeling, empowered, capable and worthy and look to the future with excitement. The notion that this school could be viewed as a "holding ground" for only the very young is not only disturbing but also reflects a very sad and pessimistic view of what we need as individuals. Remind yourselves that it doesn't matter what your age we all really always want the same things. AS cliche as it sounds we all need to feel valued and that we have something to contribute and ultimately want to feel loved. I say this as a friend to any parent that might read this. Your child is at the right place. I have seen the results over and over again. The longer your children stays can only do them good. Have faith, take the time to really look and you will see there is no other place that will resonate with your child in more of a profound way as Clanmore.
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 gifted 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 they 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 don't get why people see clanmore as bad that in its self scars me of what our world will soon be.
ReplyDeleteClanmore is the best school ever! I love you Clanmore!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder since leaving Clanmore if education has evolved. I'm still seeing teachers make kids feel like they're stupid and teach in a way that lacks any type of creativity or passion. I love the fact that none of that effects me. I know that this is not teaching. I know the difference and I am so thankful that this was not my full experience of education. My love of learning is in my roots. The experience I had at Clanmore is my foundation for and will remain with me always.
ReplyDeleteI have had many good memories at clanmore. I have developed long lasting friendships and have learned so so much from there. I think that the fix it girl has really shown how beautiful clanmore is. Had great times in the mighty clanmore!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational young person!
ReplyDeleteIt's so important that the environment children learn in embrace their spirit and give them room to grow.
I wish there was a Clanmore where I live!!
Clanmore Is truly an amazing place.
ReplyDeletethe school had helped me so much ! I would not be as good at english as i am without Clanmore ! It helped me grow in so many different ways! the community at Clanmore is so out standing. Everyone cared and looked everyone. Even though I have graduated for Canmore 3 years ago they still care about me. Last Night I won an award at my current school for Drama and today I received a beautiful bunch of flowers singed from Clanmore. the 9 year I spent and Clanmore were the year of my youth. This blog truly correct about Clanmore.
Clanmore is the sweetest place in the world and any child would be grateful for growing up in the Clanmore community.
clanmore is not perfect. his school does not teach you how to eliminate life struggles, it does not teach you how to create a happy, bubbly existance in which "real issues" are simply not talked about. Because of this, the theory of how clanmore uses alouf teaching styles to stray away from "real learning" is ignorant, to say the least.The power of human heart have been a main teaching category alongside math and cosmic studies at Clanmore...I suppose those silly public schools should try it on, try it out to see that after one's schooling, it's a lucrative subject for the constant job, LIFE. By embracing love in life, the inevitable isolation one might feel from saddness or anger can be used in the growing process, not just as a "dark spot". Even struggle can be seen as beautiful. If a mind is open, it can learn so much more, and it was fun to open your mind at Clanmore.
ReplyDeletethe amazing thing is, the brilliant motherly teachers at Clanmore have taught such a theory, such an advacned piece of ideology to mere children.
AND! There's even a crazy, loving, gloriously loud teacher who looks much like Mrs. Frizzle.
How could anyone have doubt.
clanmore is a place where the children can grow and learn at their own pace. The teachers will give you special attention and unlike most teachers they care about you. They want to see you succeed in everything. I was walking down the street today and i saw my old teacher from clanmore and i was so happy to see her it wasn't like i wanted to avoid her i was genuinely exited to see her.
ReplyDeleteNothing can beat clanmore. I wish that every child could have the education and experience that i had. If that where so the world would be a whole different place.
ReplyDelete