While the Montessori method and the Episcopal tradition fit together in many ways, one of the most perfect dovetails is the dedication of both to acts of service. We spend a great deal of time, both in and out of the classroom, performing acts of service for others and developing our community as one that values acts of kindness and generosity. Children help prepare food together, assist each other with bags and coats, and promote a community of respect, joy, and giving.
Maria Montessori herself had a great deal to say about our responsibility to making the world a better place and, in turn, teaching our children to do the same:
“The purpose of life is to obey the hidden command which ensures harmony among all and creates an ever better world. We are not created only to enjoy the world, we are created in order to evolve the cosmos”
“The first idea the child must acquire is that of the difference between good and evil”
“If help and salvation are to come, they can only come from the children, for the children are the makers of men”
“The consciousness of knowing how to make oneself useful, how to help mankind in many ways, fills the soul with a noble confidence, almost religious dignity”
It is always a pleasure to see these tenets being lived by students who have moved on from St. Paul’s but who have not forgotten the joys of service. We are excited to highlight the work of one such former student, Frank Schweers, and his mission to raise $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Frank was one of the very first students at St. Paul’s, starting in 2005 as a Primary student. He is now a sophomore at Great Hearts Monte Vista, where he has been nominated for Student of the Year with LLS. As part of this honor, Frank is raising money to help end blood cancers. To learn more about his campaign, or to make a contribution, please visit https://events.lls.org/sctx/sanantoniosoy19/fschweers
We are proud of our alumni and proud to know that the values they learned at St. Paul’s will stay with them throughout their lives. Share your alumni stories for a chance to be featured on our blog! Email our Advancement Team at advancement@stpaulsmontessori.org.