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The Children’s House Montessori School of Santa Maria lic#421709915
The Director:
Robin Palmerston earned her Master of Education in Advanced Instruction from the University of Southern California, Bachelor of Arts Degree, with honors, from Pepperdine University’s Seaver College at Malibu, and holds a California Teaching Credential. She has taken coursework through San Jose State University, Cal Poly/San Luis Obispo, and UC Santa Barbara. She became a Science Fellow at UCSB, completing the 1999 Science Project Summer Institute for teachers. She has had additional training through the Montessori World Educational Institute, and the Lindamood Language and Literacy Center.
Ms. Robin was a City Council-appointed member of the Santa Maria Valley Childcare Advisory Committee, is conference co-chair for an annual peace conference in Santa Maria, has been a member of the Families for the First Decade Project Collaborative with the City of Santa Maria. Robin continues her education through specific training programs and seminars, and by regular attendance at Montessori conferences.
Robin has been a workshop presenter for the local chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Children’s Resource and Referral, and at the Peaceful Impressions community conference. She has been an Associate Faculty member at Allan Hancock College, and is often a guest speaker for early childhood education classes.
Founding Date: 1982
Awards: We are proud to be named a Demonstration Site for The Outdoor Classroom Project
http://www.orfaleafoundations.org/go/our-initiatives/outdoor-classroom/categoriesPrivate School · Preschool
Mission Statement:
We at the Montessori Schools of Santa Maria expect to:
Experience with each child the beauty, wonder, and order of the world and its people
Instill an understanding of personal and global peace through the development of peacemaking skills and the study of peoples and cultures
Inspire an appreciation for, and an active involvement in, fine arts
Promote the development of honest, respectful, independent human beings who contribute to their community
Enable each child to gain confidence and to achieve his or her personal potential
Create a stimulating educational environment, encompassing the philosophy of Maria Montessori
Foster in students a desire for learning and the achievement of academic excellence
Prepare a nurturing, stimulating environment that meets the many needs of today’s children and their families, which empowers and encourages them to become responsible citizens
We do this by:
Using active listening and fostering communication, beginning with our very youngest children
Studying the fundamental needs of humans all over the world
Identifying qualities of peacefulness
Acknowledging spirituality and honoring diverse spiritual and religious practices with the beautiful Festival of Lights
Encouraging community service in our school yard and in our wider community through an annual Outreach Program
Being a founding developer and annual co-sponsor of the Peaceful Impressions Conference and Peace Camp
Enabling students to take leadership roles in the Peace Conference and speaking out for peace in public forums
Nurturing writing and artistic expression, as often the children exhibit their dedication to peace through fine arts
Instilling a respect for the earth and its living creatures with an annual study of butterflies and gardening
Visualizing peace and the varied ways to demonstrate a commitment to peace
Modeling of respect by staff and other adults, all of whom have a great respect for the children, families, and one another
Encouraging the children to identify and research famous (and not-so-famous) peacemakers, and to learn from their example
Becoming familiar with the meanings of kindness and justice
Demonstrating joy in peace with a demonstration march in our neighborhood
Developing curriculum which includes study of fundamental needs of human beings, and the practice of values such as compassion, gratitude, respect, and generosity
Honoring Maria Montessori’s vision that the world will be a better place when the children are enabled to develop their own best potential, are respected as individuals, and are fostered in an educational setting that helps each begin the process of finding their own, personal cosmic task in the universe.