WSM Featured Alumnus: Maya Fitch
Maya Fitch started attending Winston-Salem Montessori School in The Toddler Program and continued through the Adolescent Program.
Maya with her Montessori Toddler Class.
Maya washing the patio in Children’s House
Playing the piano at Community Sing (4th Grade)
When asked about what she enjoyed about her time at Winston-Salem Montessori School, she said, “I really loved the freedom that it allowed me to have, which cultivated my time management skills and the ability to complete my work at my own pace. I especially liked that nature and outdoor activities were worked into the curriculum as that is such an important part of education.”
Holding Oreo, the unofficial AP Mascot.
Maya spoke on the transition from Winston-Salem Montessori School to a conventional school. “It was definitely difficult at first to transition to a more conventional school curriculum after 14 years of Montessori, but I was surprised by how prepared I felt. I am currently at Salem Academy for High School. All of the planning, studying, and note taking skills I learned at Montessori have been incredibly helpful. I have been able to take a lot of honors-levels classes without feeling too stressed about the amount of homework. With good time management, I am easily able to complete my assignments on time, which I’m not sure I would have been able to do without my Montessori education.”
Maya presenting about ancient Egypt at the Egyptian Civilization Fair in 5th grade.
When asked how the Montessori experience impacted her the most, she said, “I truly have a love for learning, and have found that I’m not only taking classes because they are required, but because I really want to learn everything that I can. I really enjoy going to school and my classes. I am able to stay focused and get all of my work done on time, which I know is something that many people struggle with.”
When asked what she wished non-Montessori students, parents or caregivers knew about Montessori, she said, “Oftentimes when I try to explain the Montessori curriculum to other people, they have trouble understanding it. Because the curriculum looks so different from conventional schools, from the outside people think that Montessori doesn’t have any real point, but I really wish they would understand how beneficial it was for me, and how well it prepared me for the rest of my education. I really loved being at Montessori, and all of the skills that I learned.”
Maya demonstrating sign language to a song at Community Sing
Maya sitting on the giant log at the Winston-Salem Montessori School campus
Thank you for being a member of the Winston-Salem Montessori Community, Maya!
Thank you to Maya’s Winston-Salem Montessori Guides!
In the Toddler Program her Guides were Ms. Carol and Ms. Carolyn. In The Children’s House Program her Guides were Ms. Trish, Ms. Suzanne in CH6 and Ms. Kelly and Ms. Faith in CH1. In The Lower Elementary 2 program , her Guides were Ms. Ellen and Ms. Evelyn. In The Upper Elementary Program, her Guides were Ms. Sarah, Ms. Abigail and Ms. Sally. In the Adolescent Program, her Guides were Ms. Sally, Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Rebecca, Mr. Mike, Mr. Greg, and Ms. Ellen.