On Friday, September 20, MST hosted its annual Back to School Night at the Forest Campus. This event provided parents with a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the Montessori approach, engage with teachers, and explore ways to support their children's growth. The evening was filled with enlightening talks, casual conversations, and a chance for parents to meet one another over food and drinks.
The night offered a range of sessions held in different classrooms, each focusing on key aspects of Montessori education. From foundational topics like Supporting Your Child at Home Through the Four Planes of Development: From Birth to Maturity to thought-provoking discussions on Testing: Is My Child a Number? parents had a chance to explore how the Montessori method aligns with their child’s journey.
One highlight was the session on Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: The Power of the Montessori 3-Hour Work Cycle, where teachers explained the importance of uninterrupted work time for children’s learning and development. Another popular session, Fairness, Friends, and Exploration: Meeting the Needs of the Elementary Child, focused on the emotional and social aspects of childhood in the Montessori environment.
Perhaps the most anticipated presentation of the night was How to Help Your Child Succeed at Life, delivered by Kira Donnelly, a former MST staff member visiting from the U.S. as an education consultant. In her talk, Kira offered a reassuring message to parents, explaining how choosing Montessori education already sets their children on the path to success. “Being a parent is hard,” Kira said, “but Montessori is designed to support not just academic success, but life success.” Her talk was well-received, with many parents praising her insight and practical advice.
Ginkgo Teacher Kei noted how valuable it was to engage with parents throughout the night. "It was fun to interact with parents and a great opportunity to introduce Montessori materials," she said. "Parents were excited to learn more about the math materials, for example."
Overall, the event was a success, with many parents staying well past the presentations to continue conversations with teachers and staff. It was a night filled with learning, connection, and the shared excitement of supporting children in their educational journeys.
–Maria Hovi