Kathy Michiels School

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Our educational practices spring from the following principles: The role of the teacher is to create opportunities for children to achieve their potential. Therefore, we empower and encourage our faculty to employ a variety of teaching methods that help all kinds of children learn, and that make that learning fun. In accordance with Developmentally Appropriate Practices, our educational approach balances the need for age-appropriate experiences with a respect for each child as an individual. Emotional development is the foundation for other areas of the childs growth and intellectual freedom. We concentrate on creating an open and supportive environment that nurtures this development. The relationship between school and home plays an important part in creating a succesSFul learning experience for the child. We work hard to cultivate a strong and positive relationship between home and school, and to smooth the transitions between them, and between our programs, Infant to Preschool to Kindergarten to Elementary School. Because such transitions may elicit confusion or sadness as much as excitement and joy, we provide support during these times of change. The environment is our childrens “third teacher.” By keeping our learning spaces colorful, accessible and flexible; students learn how to respect materials, other students, and other students work. Teachers carefully organize spaces for small and large group projects, providing experiences for learning how to share and come together. Self-direction and the freedom to follow ones curiosity are powerful motivators for learning. As they grow, our children are given a wider range of choices and opportunities for exploration and unstructured time and with that freedom, greater responsibility for discovery, analysis and synthesis. Emotional security is a necessary condition for intellectual freedom. We concentrate on maintaining a loving and supportive environment for such growth, and encourage the diversity in each child. Nutrition and the congenial sharing of meals are important. In our large kitchen, our full-time cook prepares hot, organic, highly nutritious vegetarian meals. The child is a partner in the teaching/learning process, to be valued, inspired, respected and appreciatEducation