at Sakuri International Montessori School in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“I alone cannot change the world,
but I can cast a stone across the water to
create many ripples.” —Mother Teresa
Earlier in November, Upper Level Support Teacher Marisa Rae travelled to Vietnam to deliver professional development to 50 Vietnamese teachers. In addition to her work at EAC, Marisa is the Infant/Toddler Coordinator for the Center for Montessori Education in New Rochelle, a leader in Montessori teacher-training.
The first Montessori school in Vietnam was established 10 years ago. The school Marisa went to, Sakuri International, has had an Infant /Toddler program for five years. The idea of a Montessori school in a communist society is a contradiction in itself, so Marisa was eager to go and see it for herself.
Sakuri International serves 500 children from the age of 15 months to 6 years. It is a full day program with half the day spent in state sponsored (and controlled) curriculum. Children spend 3 hours daily learning to salute, recite poetry that elevates the communist state and to practice obedience.
The remaining hours are spent in Montessori environments.
Marisa's goal was to leave her students with an introduction to the science of human development that could then serve as a foundation for thinking about their practice.
Marisa found the experience, "mind blowing." As you can see from the picture, her students found her trip meaningful as well.
At EACMSI we prepare children for the future we envision:
an engaged, interconnected, and peaceful world.
