Nurturing Growth Through Acknowledgment and Understanding: A Learning Specialist's Perspective

Alison Van Keuren, our learning specialist at Bridgeview Montessori School, is always thinking and growing in ways that help our community —the children, the faculty, and our families. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northeastern University and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University. Alison was originally drawn to Montessori for kinesthetic, child-led learning in a nurturing environment. She believes that student support is meant to be integrated in the classroom with close family engagement . Below she provides us with some inspiration. ~ Suzanne Lawson

As Bridgeview Montessori’s learning specialist, I foster deep connections with our students and teachers through careful observation and engagement. My role centers on identifying both strengths and challenges in each child's learning journey. Meaningful change emerges when we acknowledge what works and what does not in a child's learning experience. Through relationship building and detailed observation, we create a foundation for developing effective strategies. This enables children to enhance their communication and executive function skills, ultimately helping them access learning, share knowledge, and express their unique personalities.

The Foundation of Connection

Acknowledgment is fundamental to human development. When we acknowledge both positive and challenging emotions, we communicate that each person is heard, valued, and understood. This recognition creates the foundation for all learning and social-emotional growth.

Beginning with Ourselves

The transformation in our children starts with our own inner work. Growth requires acknowledging our own:

• Uncertainty in decisions in parenting or as educators

• Mistakes and missteps

• Moments of overwhelm

• Disconnection with partners or other key figures

• Need for support and understanding

The Dance of Support

In Montessori education, we follow the child's lead, becoming detectives of their unique journey. This requires careful observation to understand:

• What they can handle

• When they need support

• How to offer meaningful opportunities

We dance alongside our children as they develop independence, supporting without rescuing, present but not controlling. This delicate balance allows children to discover their own capabilities while feeling securely supported.

Embracing Neurodiversity

Each person—child, teacher, or parent—travels their own unique path. We're not striving to reach arbitrary societal norms or competing to catch up with peers. Instead, we recognize that:

• Different thinking patterns are valuable

• Individual journeys intertwine but remain distinct

• Success looks different for everyone

Deep Listening is Connection

Behavior is communication. Through deep listening—both verbal and non-verbal—we create meaningful connections. This means:

• Acknowledging effort

• Validating disappointment

• Being present without fixing

• Recognizing resilience

A Valentine's Message of Love

As we celebrate love this Valentine's season, remember that the ultimate expression of love is acknowledgment. Be:

• A detective of your child's needs

• A listener to their struggles

• A witness to their journey

• A supporter of their strength

Your child is capable and resilient. Together, we can provide the tools they need to build on their natural strengths—all while being guided by love.

When children witness the adults in their lives practicing acknowledgment and growth, they internalize these powerful lessons. Remember:

• You are invaluable

• Your efforts matter

• Your journey inspires

• Your love transforms

 A Message to Our Community

We see you. We hear you. To all caregivers, teachers, and role models - go bravely into the world knowing your impact matters. Each day you:

• Model your inner work

• Nurture your hopes and dreams

• Shape future generations

• Operate with your best knowledge

• Carry immeasurable love

Our Head of School Welcomes Us

Sandy Nickerson has been at our school since the very beginning 26 years ago. In 2008 she became our Head of School. Please take a moment to read Sandy’s welcome letter and be reminded why it is that you have chosen our school, support our school through annual giving and volunteerism, and remember our school fondly if you have moved away from us. We once again are off to a great start. ~ Suzanne Lawson

Dear Bridgeview Montessori Families and Friends,

Welcome to a new school year! I had a wonderful summer, and I am hoping you did as well. The beginning of school each year is so exciting as we reconnect, meet new friends, adjust to new schedules and routines. 

We at Bridgeview Montessori have been hard at work preparing our school and classrooms and are looking forward to working with your children. We prepare an environment that encourages a love of learning, independence, friendship, kindness, and adventure. We love our school filled with children and adults working and playing together. 

Thank you so much for choosing our school and trusting us in the care of your children. You too are part of our learning community. If you choose, there are many ways for you to make active and important connections in our community. Along the way you will receive information about ways to meet, volunteer, and support the work we do.

Maria Montessori with Elementary students in India, early 1940s.

A big thank you to the parents and board members who pitched in to help make our grounds and classrooms ready for a new year on Community Clean Up Day. In one day, our school inside and out was transformed from a bit shabby to beautiful.

Remember, we are here to address any questions or concerns you may have along the way. Do not hesitate to call or email us.

Warmest regards,

Sandy Nickerson, Head of School

Graduate Wesley Reminding Us that Kindness Abounds

Wesley joined us for the entire three-year cycle in upper Elementary or what we call EII, a classroom for students ages 9 to 12. Wes immediately impressed us with his authenticity and big heart which could often be found right out on his sleeve. In his graduation speech I am most struck by how he underscores kindness in so many of his experiences. Thanks, Wesley, for reminding us about what is truly important. ~ Suzanne Lawson, Assistant Head of School

It’s been three years since I first came to Bridgeview Montessori. I was scared to move to a new school. My first impression was that the school was going to be tougher compared to the Weetumuw School I had attended that was for Wampanoag people only. After spending almost 5 years at the Weetumuw School, I felt really sad on the day of graduation.  I didn’t want to leave my school. I only changed schools one time before I went to Bridgeview, and that was a long time ago, and it was tough, so I was not prepared. Bridgeview was bigger than the school I went to before, so at first, I didn’t know how to get around well. But over the years it has gotten easier, and I am not so scared about going to new schools.

My first memory at Bridgeview was feeling nervous because, as I said before, I did not want to go to a new school. However, I did start enjoying many new things at school. My first field trip at Bridgeview was visiting Otis Air Base which was amazing. I really liked all of the incredible, different types of planes and boats. I also really liked when my friend Elijah and I went on top of the boat. The person that was giving us the presentation on the boat went over to the engines and said, “These bad boys have 250 horsepower vroom vroom.” Elijah and I tried not to crack up laughing. Then when we got off we died of laughter and tried to tell everyone who asked what happened, but it was just too funny. We couldn't even speak. Every Field Day at the end of the year is a blast because I get to run around and basically have Fitness class all day. Fitness is my favorite Special, and I can’t wait until next year to play soccer and basketball at Falmouth Academy.

When I came to Bridgeview everyone was so kind. I met Diego on the first day, and we have remained friends ever since. That was the same for a lot of my other friends. I met Lochlan at the Watermelon Welcome on the first day when we were asked to arrange ourselves by height without talking. We were around the same height so Lochlan and I were forced to stand next to each other. From then on the two of us have been friends. Our friendship will continue because we are both going to the same school next year. 

Thank you to my friend Teddy for always making me laugh and pushing me to do better in soccer, and just really to do the right thing. When one of us was sad or mad, you would be the first person to come over and check on us.

Thank you Diego also for pushing me to do better in soccer as well. You were so funny and you were one of the most well organized competitors in soccer along with all the other sports you play.

Thank you Lochlan for playing soccer with all of the boys and also for creating the Bridgeview Bull sharks. Without you the Bull Sharks would not be a thing. Thank you too for being the first person I would go to for help with a math problem if a teacher was in a lesson with someone else.

Wesley and his dad share their traditions with us.

Thank you Kathleen [an Elementary II teacher] for always making me laugh and teaching me math problems I didn’t even know existed.  Thank you too for helping me with the autobiography.

Thank you Jolie [another EII teacher] for helping with the Senior Project; it was really fun learning more about a sport I already knew something about.

         Thank you Alison [our learning specialist] for helping me with anything I needed whether it was the Senior Project or my Autobiography. You also helped in Traits and Grit class as well as with my spelling.

         Thank you Cathy [teacher assistant] for helping me with math when I was stuck on a problem. You were always there right away.

Over the three years that I have been at Bridgeview Montessori, I have learned things in math and writing and history that will help me at my next school. My education here will also help me at the next couple schools I attend. Bridgeview has helped me so much, and I can't wait to learn more at Falmouth Academy. I might learn something I’ve already studied or something completely different.

In total Bridgeview Montessori has been so good to me, and I hope the other schools I attend in the future are as good as Bridgeview. I hope the teachers are as kind and nice as the ones here.

Graduate Minta: Giving us the Low Down on Elementary II

Minta joined us as a Fourth Year student so she is one who definitely experienced the whole of Elementary II, our 9 to 12 year-old classroom. I believe her graduation speech speaks to exactly what we try to provide for our students as they prepare to leave us for their next learning adventures. Notice her humor and authenticity. I love that her memories of social experiences and friendships are intermingled with her academic learning. She is at ease and comfortable. In Minta’s words…

Through kindness, laughter and so much learning, my time at Bridgeview Montessori is finally up. I can’t explain the amount of sadness that comes to me reading this speech today, but time waits for no one as Kathleen [one of Minta’s EII teachers] once said to me. And though this year seemed only to last a month, I’m glad I got to spend it here. 

Minta!

When I look back, I can remember only the happiest of memories. Fourth year, Layla and I were on the playground boat talking about who knows what, when Suzanne [the Director of Admissions] asked what we have in common. We shared that we both do horseback riding, which was one of the first things we bonded over. Days later we are all going outside for a snack, and I invited Maxine to join me. We talked and talked, and now three years later, we are still close. 

Fifth year rolls around, and I’m ecstatic to be one of the older kids. Layla left which meant that Maxine and I were all that was left of our friend group. Although after a week or two I was introduced to Niamh. We became good friends and still are! About a month later the new kid, Emma showed up. She had shadowed a few days before and seemed pretty nice. She didn’t know it, but the entire class was buzzing; we were all over the moon about the fact that someone new was coming. I mean, that's what happens when someone new comes to a small school; everyone knew her name and current school weeks before she even shadowed. She joined our community a week or two after shadowing and not long after, we started to become good friends. Soon enough we find ourselves standing together, graduating the 6th grade, and reading a speech trying to explain what this school meant to us! 

We made it! 6th year, the big kids, the “role models.” I remember the first day, I was making connections with everyone. All the Fourth Years were so nice, and I couldn't wait to spend the year with all my new friends! It was in this grade that I realized how much I loved this school. All of a sudden I want to be at the beginning; I want to be the little kid. Start fresh, go back. I want, I want, I want, more than anything to stay. I think I will just join the kids in the closet. 

 But through simple math, autobiography, decimals, fractions, senior project and even algebra, I think I’m ready, ready to leave, ready to start anew. Make new friends, but never forget the old; learn new things, but never forget what I already know. 

         To my friends, teachers and even Lotus [the classroom tortoise], thank you all for being so nice and accepting. To my teachers, I learned so much from you all, decimals, grammar (even though I will probably still say me and my friends instead of my friends and I) and even cursive, which I probably won’t use until high school. Not to mention I even found out Kathleen's favorite word, equivalent. To all my classmates, take notes. Thank you to all my fellow graduates, I have been looking forward to this day for years, and I’m glad I am getting to spend it with you all. Although I am more than excited to join Niamh, Wesley and Lochlan at Falmouth Academy [a local independent school], I will miss this school more than anything. I will carry these memories throughout the years, and I will even use them in my speech when I become the first female president (before Emma, and to be clear, Emma will be the VICE president, not president). And I think with that, I am ready to graduate, goodbye Bridgeview, and best of luck to all my friends that I am leaving behind.

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Minta was fortunate to win “Head of School for a Day” during a raffle held during our Annual Day of Giving. During her time as Head, she had an opportunity to observe a Children’s House classroom and provide her observation notes to the teachers. I have excerpted some of those notes here. I find it fascinating to read what Minta noticed, our mission and core values in action.

Dear Yellow Room Teachers,

Today I observed your classroom from 11:15 to 11:45 am, and in that time, I saw students working together and cleaning up that work…they were cleaning up without being asked (which is not what I would have done at that age). They were observing each other as well. One student was walking around with a magnifying class, and even held it out to observe someone’s teeth and noticed that she had big teeth. After they came to the rug silently, Tommy had his mystery object to present. There were so many guesses and lots of raised hands instead of blurting out. They were all respectful and remained quiet. No one got mad when another was called… Everyone asked great questions and behaved extremely well.

P.S. All the teachers earned the raise I promised.

Sincerely,

Minta

Head of School

This is the Stuff: The Gift that is Upper Elementary in Bridgeview Montessori School

This summer, we will be running a series of pieces about our Elementary II or Upper Elementary as it is often referred to in Montessori circles. If you are thinking about what middle school might look like for your younger child, consider giving that child a Montessori experience BEFORE they navigates those infamous middle school halls. ~ Suzanne Lawson

As Director of Admissions, I am privileged to tour our school with prospective families a few times each week. Walking through our Children’s House with students ages 3 to 6 then into our Elementary I with students in grades 1 to 3 and finally to our Elementary II with our 4th through 6th graders, I see firsthand the extraordinary continuum that exists in a Montessori school. If you have investigated Montessori education at all, you know that academic rigor and challenge are key features, you also may know all the famous intellects, entrepreneurs, and creatives who have attended Montessori schools, but what you may not know is what Montessori schools do for a child’s humanity.

As I write this piece, I am thinking specifically about what happens for our Elementary II students, those aged 9 to 12 and who graduate and leave us for the ill-reputed middle school years after 6th grade. Our graduates are confident, self-aware, and self-possessed, and these are qualities that are invaluable as students move from us to their next schools.

Our 2024 Graduates

As I was talking to one of our Elementary II guides, Jolie Drury, I asked her what she thought contributed to these qualities that I notice in the classroom. Jolie explained, that within their nurturing space, she and co-guide Kathleen Finucane, let their students do for themselves. They allow them the time to sit with discomfort if a social situation or academic challenge is hard; problem solving is student generated; they have to work to figure out their path. Jolie used the words “stretch zone.” They live and more importantly feel the process of exploration. Bridgeview Montessori students, cannot really find the “easy way out.” Of course, we all pay lip service to the idea that we can grow out of places where we feel discomfort, but do we really let our children have this experience? As a mama bear and a fixer myself, I cannot honestly say that I always do. However, what better place to let this organic process happen then in our small and caring classroom communities?

Jolie went on to explain that the Elementary II students spend time actively discussing character traits that are important in being a positive and productive human. However, because of these proactive and regular conversations, students come to realize and appreciate nuance, different styles of being. Being gregarious might be a great quality in some, but it is not definitive. Perhaps your quiet resolve is your superpower. In Elementary II, our students come into owning their personality traits and begin to see them for what they are, strengths and growing edges. They revel in their own uniqueness, and they appreciate uniqueness in others. Jolie told a story of a student who was struggling with a moment of anxiety around a deadline. The student had shutdown, yet his classmates knew that this behavior was often part of his path. Because his classmates know him, they were able to offer him support. “We care about you; how can we help you? What tools do you need.” There was no judgement but rather compassion and guidance. Just imagine how these experiences prepare young people for those often-trying middle school years.

This is the stuff. This is why I look at our students as they give their graduation speeches in awe; they own who they are.

(Tune in later this summer for the speeches. You will be amazed.)