This document summarizes a live video conference with Montessori alumni from North America. Four graduates spoke about their positive Montessori experiences from primary through middle school. They discussed how Montessori education helped develop life skills and confidence. The unique classroom environment fostered curiosity, collaboration, and strong student-teacher relationships. The alumni felt well-prepared transitioning to more traditional schooling and would recommend Montessori to others.

1. MONTESSORI
for the Elementary
and Middle School Years
LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE FROM NORTH AMERICA WITH MONTESSORI ALUMNI!
P
arents at QP campus attended a special workshop in
which they heard from four Montessori graduates from
Canada and the United States. These young people spoke
to us about their Montessori education, all having attended
Montessori from the primary years through to middle school.
It was a very interesting conversation, highlighting many of the
unique aspects of Montessori education.
The following were questions and responses from our conversation:
LookingbackontheacademiccontentofyourMontessorieducation,whatdoyouthinkweretheuniqueapproachesofMontessori?
How did these benefit you?
“I developed many ‘tools’ that I took with me; ability to manage
myself, my time and seek help when I needed it.”
“I know what I know. I feel confident to take on challenges.”
“I was far ahead of my peers in many subjects.”
“I had a far greater knowledge of the world than my peers. I
think we went more in depth with subjects because we got to
research them for as long as we wanted.”
“I was able to explore my own interests and complete many
projects. This taught me to research, organize and write.”
“I often go beyond the assignment. I enjoy researching and
often read more than is assigned.”
“We got to go out of the classroom and see real life. We
traveled to a different country and participated in the Model
United Nations. These trips and experiences added a lot to our
studies.”
Talk to us about the classroom environment. What do you remember most and what do you think were the advantages?
“I remember being in the circle and having a lot of great
discussions.”
“My classroom had a lot of room to move. There were always
lots of interesting things about the world and new things to
explore. It made me a curious learner.”
“My school was like a big family. We grew up together.”
“I liked working with other people, we did a lot of collaborative
work. I think that’s why I can work with a group so well. We
always worked with each other.”
“One of the things I remember most is that the teachers really
knew us. There was a really good relationship between the
teachers and students. Their creativity and enthusiasm made
us want to learn.”
Karen Lynn French │ Elementary Coordinator and Head Elementary Teacher

2. What was it like to transition from a Montessori
environment to a more traditional system?
“I think being in Montessori encouraged me to get
outside of my comfort zone; as a result, I was able
to orient myself to university and ‘hold my own’ in
discussion groups without any problem.”
“It was seamless for me; I was used to a high level of
work. I was confident and made new friends easily.”
“I felt I was very well prepared for high school.
Adapting to a new, bigger environment was no
problem. I felt very comfortable to meet new people
and get involved with activities in high school and
college.”
What advice would you give parents with regards to
their children’s learning?
“Bring them to Montessori!”
“Let them explore their own interests and support
them.”
“Learn together.”
If you could use just one word to describe your
Montessori experience, what would it be?
“integral”
“zeal”
“thinking outside the box”
“freedom”
It was a very special experience to hear from
students who have ‘lived’ Montessori. They were so
well spoken, insightful and passionate.
Montessori graduates are regarded worldwide
as strong communicators, leaders and creative
thinkers. Thank you to Lindsay, Chris, Nicholas and
Sam for sharing their Montessori memories with us!
与北美蒙氏校友的现场视频连线！
青浦校区的家长们参加了一个特殊的讲座，在讲座
上，他们听到了来自加拿大和美国的四位蒙特梭利
毕业生的声音。这四位年轻人，从小学到中学接受
的都是蒙氏教育，他们向家长们讲述了自己的蒙氏
学习生涯。这是一次非常有趣的视频对话，展现了
蒙特梭利教学的诸多独特之处。
以下是我们这次对话中的一些问答：
回顾你的蒙氏学习生涯，你认为蒙特梭利教学的独
特方法是什么？这些方法如何让你受益？
“我获得了许多可以让我终生受益的‘工具’：比如
管理自己和时间的能力，以及当我需要的时候如
何寻求帮助。”
“我知道自己的能力。有充分的信心去接受挑
战。”
“在许多的课程中，我都是远远领先于同龄人。”
“我对世界的了解比同龄人多得多。我认为我们学
得更深入，因为我们有充裕的时间去研究。”
“我能够探索自己感兴趣的东西然后完成许多项
目。这教会我如何研究、整理和写作。”
“我的学习常超出作业的范围。我喜欢研究，阅读
量远超过老师的布置量 。”
“我们得走出教室，去体验真实的生活。我们去不
同的国家，参加了模拟联合国。这些旅行和经历
对我们的研究很有帮助。”
和我们谈谈教室环境。你印象最深的是什么？你觉
得哪些是优点？
“我记得上圈圈，有很多很棒的讨论。”
“我的教室有很多空间可以自由走动。教室内总
有很多有趣的事物，还有很多新事物待我们去探
索。这些促使我成为一个充满好奇心的学习者。”
“我喜欢和其他人一起工作，我们做了很多的合作
性的工作。我想这也是为什么我能够很好的和团
队一起工作。我们总是互相合作。”
“我印象最深的是老师们真的很了解我们。老师和
学生之间的关系真的非常好。他们的创造力和热
情感染我们去学习。”
“我的学校就像一个大家庭，我们在一起成长。”
从蒙特梭利环境到一个更为传统的体系，是怎样的
一种转变？
“我认为在蒙特梭利环境中学习鼓励了我不断走出
舒适圈，挑战自己。这让我能够很好地适应大学
生活，并且能够在小组讨论的时候保持自己的观
点。”
“这个过渡对我来说就是无缝衔接，我已经习惯了
高水准的工作。我很自信，很容易交到新朋友。”
“我觉得我已经为高中做好了充分的准备。适应一
个全新的更大的环境是完全没有问题的。我能够
非常自如地在高中和大学认识新的人、参加各种
活动。”
对在座家长就孩子的学习方面，你们会给予什么
样的建议？
“让他们上蒙特梭利学校！”
“支持他们去探索自己的兴趣。”
“一起学习。”
如果你只能用一个词来描述你的蒙特梭利学习经
历，你会用哪个词？
“完整”
“热诚”
“创新思维”
“自由”
这场讲座是一次非常特别的体验，家长们能够听
到蒙特梭利毕业生的现身说法。他们都很健谈、
很有见地，充满激情。 蒙特梭利的毕业生被普遍
认为是强大的传播者、领导者和富有创造力的思
考者。谢谢Lindsay, Chris, Nicholas和Sam，和我
们分享了蒙特梭利的回忆。