CRESTVIEW — Maria Montessori’s impact on education began more than 100 years ago when she began helping poverty-level children learn in Italy.
Her efforts have inspired many since then, leading to more than 22,000 Montessori schools in at least 110 countries worldwide, including the Global Beacon School in Crestview.
The Montessori foundational school for students in kindergarten to eighth grade opened last year.
“We have a fantastic district with a lot of great teachers but it’s not for every child,” said Global Beacon School teacher Cindy King. “Some children need more developmental practice.”
King is one of three teachers at the school who helps children learn through hands-on developmental approaches. King teaches alongside Carla Kuehn and Becky Breda.
Global Beacon School has no desks or rows, which allows students to move around freely and work in whichever space they decide.
The students learn academic lessons like they would in the public school system, but with a hands-on approach they are also able to learn real life lessons, such as working with food.
According to King, the school and it’s system of learning is very efficient for children who might not be able to comprehend lessons in the public school systems. Some children have a harder time in public school because they are intimidated by class sizes or are often afraid to ask questions because they fear being made fun of, King said.
“We’re here for the kids who for some reason have gotten lost, shuffled or left behind in the public system,” King said. “Every child doesn’t fit there. We hope to be that fit for the children who don’t fit the public school sector.”
Throughout the day, students learn academic lessons at their own pace and through different methods than other students. The students also spend more time outdoors than they would in the public sector.
King believed the benefit of the Global Beacon School is that the teachers have more time to give individual attention and guidance to students, who in turn might find more joy in learning different things.
“I have a huge passion for turning kids onto learning,” King said. “The journey of childhood should be a journey and not a race so that joy should be there.”
For more information about Global Beacon School, visit their Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Global Beacon School offers unique way of learning