MOTL Alumni - Where Are They Now?

As Montessori on the Lake begins their 21st year teaching children, a look back on what has happened to past students seemed like something to research. Our PTO President, Stacey Constantian, has begun searching out old MOTL students and finding out how their life is going and how MOTL helped them prepare for their future. A look at MOTL alumni will be something that we regularly do to help everyone see how a Montessori education is a tool that can be used throughout one's life.

Kevin and Jason Coss are former MOTL students. When their mother was asked why she chose MOTL for her sons, she replied, "When I started looking for an elementary school for Jason, I had two main criteria: first and foremost, the school had to be willing to work with me to accomodate Jason's special needs relating to his life-threatening food allergies. Severe food allergies were relatively unheard of back then, and I wasn't even sure what all was going to need to be done to keep him safe. This was my most important criteria because if a school couldn't keep Jason safe, nothing else mattered. After that, I was looking for a school that would nurture - rather than stifle - Jason's intellectual curiosity and love of learning. I was especially attracted to the way that the Montessori kids are allowed to learn at their own pace with lots of fun-looking, hands-on materials, and that the kids were not expected to sit quietly and stiff-backed at their desks all day."

Stacey was able to get into contact with them and asked them questions about their lives and what they are up to now.

Stacey: How old were you when you started at MOTL and how old were you when you left?

Kevin: I started in Kindergarten when I was but a wee child of 5 or 6. By the time I reached my last year at MOTL, I was a 12-year-old 6th grader.

Jason: I started at 5 and left at 11 (6th grade).

Stacey: What high school did you attend and why did you chose that school? College? How long have you been at your college and what are your career plans?

Kevin: I am currently a sophomore at El Toro. Aside from being my assigned school, it is merely a half mile away, a distance that allows for a refreshing walk to and from school. Although this can hardly be considered a valid reason, the musician scene at El Toro is terrific, and I have been a guitarist since taking after-school lessons at MOTL in 6th grade and am an active member in the rock band Fight The Tide. I have not yet narrowed down the college search, but I am planning on entering some design-related field.

Jason: High school was El Toro High. I didn't actually have a choice; it was my assigned public school. For college, I am in my freshman year at UCSD and I don't know what I want to do with my life.

Stacey: How did you feel attending MOTL helped you in high school/college and in your personal life? Do you feel like a Montessori child?

Kevin: I think the close-knit environment I grew up with at MOTL taught me the value of friendlship and the importance of treating everyone well. I would also argue that work habits that I picked up at MOTL have helped me plan my time and get all assignments done in time. Ha ha, I am not sure what "Montessori child" means, but I would assume it means something good, in which case, yes, I feel as though I have been a part of something very special.

Jason: I loved Montessori...For high school, it taught me writing and critical thinking skills that other kids seemed to be learning for the first time. For my personal life, it taught me a respect for people and for nature that I still carry to this day. I definitely feel like a Montessori child.

Stacey: Some people feel that kids at MOTL are too sheltered and may not do well in high school. What is your response to that?

Kevin: I am number 10 in my grade. I have a large network of friends and family acquaintances.

Jason: I earned a 4.8 GPA that put me #3 in my class (of 600), so I certainly did well academically. I had a decent social life, too, although there is no way to measure that sort of thing. Don't worry about the transition from the safe Montessori environment to the peer-pressure-infested public school one; Montessori really helps make you a more secure person.

Stacey: Do you still keep in contact with anybody from MOTL?

Kevin: Unfortunately, I have drifted apart from most of my old MOTL buddies, but a few of my old classmates also go to El Toro.

Jason: Yes! I met some of my best friends in Montessori, and we have stayed in contact ever since.