By Sandy Nickerson
Sandy’s grandson Henry in the Yellow Room.
This year Bridgeview Montessori School celebrates her 20th year as a Montessori School. I had the pleasure to be part of the first teaching staff as everyone’s art teacher. So this year I celebrate my 20th year working at Bridgeview Montessori. The following are 20 reasons why I stayed.
Two of Sandy’s former students both well into college now.
Daily inspiration received by working with dedicated and passionate Montessori educators
Learning and growing every day
The privilege of creating our school’s art curriculum
The joy of inspiring and being inspired by young artists fully engaged in ‘thinking about art, talking about art and making art’
Having my voice heard and my opinions respected
The joy of watching my grandson learning to dig deep during his Children House years
Becoming director of our Elementary program and supporting Montessori teachers as they do their best work
Being part of the community of educators and parents who formed the design team that created our nonprofit school
My memories of all the children who flowed through our school impacting my life and making my heart sing
Our annual December assembly where teachers make it snow
Watching the EII classroom construction
Being witness to Palmer True’s (our founder) finding out he needed to install 2 elevators rather than one, which put him way over budget, and me secretly thinking, “I am so happy I’m not the head of a school.”
Being in the audience for 20 winter concerts and 20 spring musicals
Working with parents to help make the school ready during community clean up day
Living through the summer day when Suzanne and I locked ourselves out of the school…our school keys, car keys and phones all inside the building
Working with all of our Board members, who provide unyielding support for our school community in so many important ways
Being offered the Head of School position
Celebrating the purchase of our building
Gratitude for each family who entrusted their children to us
Lots of belly laughs and great friendships
Sandy and Suzanne celebrating Earth Day with our community.