ILLUMINATIONS SHINING A LIGHT ON OAKMONTESSORIFARM SUMMER 2022 VOLUME 2
you the second publication of Illuminations. As with
large, it
On the Cover
a role in this publication. Whether you wrote, edited, took pictures or
Our contributors:
to bring such a publication to life. We would like to say “thank you” to everyone who
a bit of all three - thank you for sharing your time and talent so generously.
Leadership is included in both the Portrait of a Graduate and the Portrait of a Teacher in Visions & Values. Much like the individuality of our Oak Farm Montessori School (OFMS) community members, we soon realized that while leadership has certain principles, it does not look the same for everyone at every age. On the cover we chose to celebrate the varied leadership skills that the members of our school community personify. We wish that we could have celebrated all 400 students and faculty members who lead every day, but that was not possible. Below is a little information about the students and faculty on the cover. For a little fun, can you match these students with the pictures on the cover? Candice Holbrook, Nicole Lowe, Lauren Moyer, Hattie Preston & Donna Wolfe.
our
endeavor
students to reach their potential through meaningful work.” OAK
Alanna Woitalla, Aleina Henderson, Aries Godsey, Beckett Horstman, Beckitt Lowe, Bennett Mueller, Bradon Starost, Brady Snyder, Callahan Butler, Charlie Wey-Thomas, Chloe Rinehold, Cohen McCreery, Colton Hale, Cooper Routsong, Courtney Pillers, Devon Nichols, Elaina Nivens, Elizabeth Wolheter, Ellie Cook, Emil Grobarek, Emme Villanueva, Eva Gilley, Fia Knipp, Grayson Pettit, Hannah Albright, Henry Holland, Hudson Tieman, Jack Holbrook, Jack Noye, Joaquin Morales, Jude Stuckey, Kalyn Ekovich, Lex Moser, Lyla Stevenson, Miles Rahn, Nancy Bradtmiller, Oliver Grobarek, Paul Brubaker, Quinn Tyler, Rania Jaboori, Reese Wolheter, Reid Kaiser, Sami Al Jabari, Sandra Deacon, Sarrazine Prough, Spencer Diggins, Steyr Green inspires FARM MONTESSORI SCHOOL MISSION with any this takes many played maybe
Our team is excited to share
Bridget York Director of Curriculum & Student Services Contributor Nikole Albright Communications & School Events Coordinator Contributor Kim Davidson Strategic Partnership Director Contributor & Editor Michael Tyler High School Creative Media Teacher Layout & Design OUR TEAM: “To provide a Montessori environment that
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ach child is a leaderhimselfof How do we foster leadership within our students? How does leadership transfer into action by our students? What impact are our young and adult leaders making on their community?
At Oak Farm Montessori School, we provide opportunities for children and young adults to develop self-motivation, self-discipline, empathy, collaboration, and compassion for self, for others, and for the environment. All of these characteristics are of leadership. Each child is a leader of himself. Fostering independence at a young age is so important in order to develop self-motivation and self-discipline. When a child is leading for herself, she is able to advocate for herself and then for others. When a child displays empathy, the child has an awareness of how another person feels emotionally. This must be fostered within the child so that the child develops a desire to help. This is where compassion lies! This work begins at the infant level. While the focus is on the child at this young age, leadership development extends to others as the child grows and develops these skills. This is evident through the actions by our students everyday and our alumni as they make their marks on the world. Not only do we believe in developing these characteristics for our students, but we believe in developing and modeling this among our faculty as well.
You will see on the front cover that choosing just one photo that encapsulates this very broad subject was impossible. With the varied ages we serve and curriculum we offer, leadership truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Each page of this publication shines a light on the many and varied ways that our students, alumni, faculty, and community illustrate the qualities of leadership. We hope that you will discover, learn, and reflect on the benefits of a Montessori education and why leadership is a core component of our Portrait of a Graduate.Head of School
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Founding members of the FFA Chapter of OFMS: Derek Hale, Riley Fitzharris, Elizabeth Wolheter, Reese Wolheter and Cooper Routsong
Many adolescents might prefer to spend time after school relaxing instead of staying afterwards and working. When asked why she chose to apply for a position, Hannah Albright, OFMHS Sophomore shared, “I chose to take on the role because it provides me with more confidence and experience on how to be a role model for someone.”
Oak Farm Montessori Sophomore Anna Sondek shares, “It (her position) differs from being a student as you feel like you have a responsibility for everyone around you, not just yourself. With the opportunity of a job comes great responsibility in making sure the student comes first.” This acknowledgement of the work teachers and faculty do each day in serving our students was echoed by OFMHS Sophomore, Adeline Fitzharris. “I PERSPECTIVE have more respect for my teachers; I didn't know how hard it was going to be until I stepped into the building. Now, I know what it is for teachers, parents, and adults to give their full attention to their children or students and I can appreciate the fact that they're there for me every day,” she said.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
When asked what they have learned from the Hannah Albright volunteering in aftercare services.
Do you remember your first job? What about the excitement of that first paycheck or the anxiety of your first interview? At Oak Farm Montessori School, we provide our students with opportunities to work in a safe, supportive environment to learn alongside our trained faculty. Beginning in the 6th grade, students may start volunteering to help with summer camps and after school clubs. At age 14, they can start applying for paid positions based on need and experience. We also offer student led clubs throughout the year that have included: Future Farmers of America (FFA), Magic, The Gathering and Pokemon. But wait, how have these opportunities prepared, encouraged and motivated the students in and outside of their classrooms?
Elizabeth Wolheter, who is a current 8th grader, shares that leading the newly founded FFA Chapter for OFMS has allowed her to get other students involved in her passion and it also provides an opportunity to teach them as well. Senior Ellie Cook was excited when she found out she could mentor younger students at the school and earn credit at the same time. “I love seeing children grow and develop new skills. It's an amazing moment for both child and teacher/guide when a student masters a skill they have worked so very hard on,” she shared.
STUDENT
BY NIKOLE ALBRIGHT, COMMUNICATIONS & SCHOOL EVENTS COORDINATOR
ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI ILLUMINATIONS | 4 experience of working with younger students and peers, there was a consensus that leadership and responsibility were key factors. “I have learned how to be patient, voice my opinions, and how to be comfortable when I am in charge. Working with students puts me in charge of more than just myself and it has been an eye opening experience,” Albright stated. All of the students mentioned that learning to handle and respond to children’s emotions was not something they had confidence in prior to working at the school. While they had experienced receiving comfort from their own teachers or parents, it wasn’t until they had to help another student work through emotions that they realized how impactful this skill can be. Fitzharris commented, “Even though I am a student, when I work, I feel like an adult. I feel the maturity and responsibilities of looking after the younger students.”
Finding joy in the work you are doing is satisfying, but finding confidence, responsibility and leadership skills in the process is icing on the cake!
At first they were not confident; however, they all agreed that their confidence had been increased by seeing, first hand, the impact their role had on others. One student employee was elated when a parent reached out to share that the drawings she did with the child each day after school had reignited a love for art. Another student believes this experience is preparing her for future pursuits and challenges. “You start to realize you have a responsibility to help people, and in that sense you work to help others to realize their potential, make their day a little bit better, or just be around as support,” commented Anna Sondek.
intently listens to a primary student during summer camp.
Derek Hale mentoring a younger student during summer camp.
Claire Davidson, summer camp volunteer, lends a shovel to a toddler
Bill Gates, former Montessori student and CEO of Microsoft, said, “As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Thank you OFMS students who are doing just that, each and every day.
Aleinastudent.Henderson
SUMMER 2022 | 5 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI GROWSMONTESSORILEADERSBYBRIDGETYORK,DIRECTOROFCURRICULUMANDSTUDENTSERVICES
ILLUMINATIONS | 6 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI
• Elementary: writing and editing, large bead frame, extension projects from the Great Lessons
-Maria Montessori We allow our students to make mistakes in a safe environment, without making them feel ashamed or guilty. This allows students to take responsible risks academically, socially and emotionally. Teachers ask lots of clarifying questions to guide the learning. It is not a "free for all" environment, but rather a well-established community of problem solvers that hold each other accountable. Risk taking is a tool to define, develop and consolidate identity as a child moves through the developmental planes from six weeks to seniors in high school. OFMS builds an innovative educational culture that respects the Montessori philosophy to support both the physcial and educational needs of the child.
Fostering a growth mindset, critical thinking, and adaptive leadership skills have always been foundational to the Montessori Method of education. These outcomes are natural by-products of the way Montessori classrooms function; teachers introduce concepts in a big-picture perspective, allowing students to move about freely and work in small groups, experimenting and engaging in self-directed projects and then demonstrating mastery of the content. This structure provides many opportunities for students to practice leading teams working to accomplish goals.
"Children are as independent as you expect them to be."
• Secondary: choice projects, Creative Expression, Physical Expression, farming, woodshop, STEAM, entrepreneurship, and social planning
Leadership is an invaluable and rare experience given to all. Oak Farm Montessori gives every child and young adult the opportunity to teach, help, and build relationships with their community.
OFMS responds that Montessori principles are the very things our children need to learn; to not only be successful in the world, but also to better our world.
“How will my child be prepared for the real world?” is a question often asked by parents new to Montessori.
Montessori principles like self-motivation, initiative, creative thinking, scientific theory, emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership develop skills that inspire our students to be world changers. Whether working with individual students, small groups or the entire class, our faculty provide individualized instruction.
• Early Childhood: learning to walk, toilet and nap, pink tower/brown stair, moveable alphabet, pin punching work, practical life (sweeping, pouring, transfer work, cutting and others)
Our high school (HS) students have a culminating Senior Capstone Project that includes active research and a community action piece. This year students positively impacted our society by creating a meal train for Northeast Indiana foster families and the other project analyzed novels and expanded the secondary library collection to be more diverse and inclusive.
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Collaborative: I actively work with others, sharing ideas and information, and help ensure that everyone is able to Ourcontribute.whole community comes together for the common good for all school events such as Earth Fest and Fall Fest. These events highlight how our youngest to the oldest students, as well as faculty, collaborate. HS students previewed their new coffee business, Oak Leaf Cafe and sold items created in the InnoLab and Bike Shop. MS students sold pork burgers from the pigs they raised this year as food for the event and shared their knowledge about the farm animals. Lower and Upper students had their art on display at the Art Center, and all students were able to help their family plant a tree with the skills they learned in EcoLiteracy.
CURRICULUM
Lifelong Learner, Citizenship, Emotionally Literate and Leadership.
Also, having the same teachers for multiple years aided me in creating lasting relationships with them, which I'm very thankful for.”
Self-motivated: I want to take care of my needs. Infants learn to crawl and explore their environments and in a short time we see them as Toddler students ready to begin the day by independently and calmly walking to their classrooms. Primary students master these skills exploring and discovering everything in our woods; from how the mud feels on a spring morning to what bugs are climbing the tree bark. Our students actively seek out new opportunities and set goals.
STUDENT
Self-disciplined: I can accomplish my goals.
Pursuit of Our Portrait of a Graduate:
BY BRIDGET YORK, DIRECTOR OF & SERVICES
OFMS elementary students create goals for long term projects and see these projects to completion through effective time management, focus and persistence.
Alumni, Jeffery Moyer, reflects, “The exposure of having multi-age classrooms allowed me to be mentored by students that were older than me and then allowed me to become the mentor to my underclassmen, which helped to develop my leadership skills.
OFMS further describes leadership as having the ability to be: $1,500. Through their production of the play, ”Stuck at Home”, and their Micro Economy sales for the month of March, they were able to raise over $5,500 to help save and rehabilitate four children from trafficking. Empathetic: I can understand the feelings of others and am able to put myself in their place.
Compassionate: I get involved when others are suffering and have the power to make a difference. Our Middle School (MS) community became passionate about saving children from human trafficking. They partnered with Destiny Rescue with a goal to raise
Lower Elementary students follow their interests to discover new knowledge they share at the Learning Fair with a visual display and presentations. Upper Elementary 6th year students spend the entire school year exploring natural disasters in the Kids Investigating Natural Disasters (KIND) projects. These are presented to parents and the community.
“It is up to you to make the change,” shared Oak Farm Montessori School (OFMS) sixth grade student Cohen McCreery. He and his classmate, seventh grader, Riley Fitzharris, planned and implemented a successful event that raised $8,315.00 for the Ft. Wayne chapter of Habitat for Humanity last summer. But where did this idea begin and how did it come to fruition?
YOUR INVESTMENTINACTION
BY NIKOLE ALBRIGHT, COMMUNICATIONS & SCHOOL EVENTS COORDINATOR
Riley and Cohen hard at work planning their Sports Challenge. Cohen McCreery and Riley Fitzharris present an $8,315.00 check to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ft. Wayne.
Impactful, meaningful and personal connections are at the root of the World Changer projects students in Upper Elementary at OFMS complete each year.
From brainstorming and planning, to execution and clean up, these young men learned that hard work results in big rewards. When presenting the oversized check to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ft. Wayne, Fitzharris shared he felt accomplished and a sense of achievement. “Yes, there was some stress and anxiety, but at the end it felt good. I saw that people really cared,” he stated.
By providing a foundation of support and encouragement to follow their passions, students at OFMS are making a difference; both for themselves and for others.
For Fitzharris, a family trip to Washington, DC and encountering a homeless man was the catalyst for working to raise money locally to make a difference. McCreery and Fitzharris both are active in sports at the school and decided to combine the two passions, athletics and philanthropy, to create an event that promoted physical and social growth.
Months of meetings with faculty, teachers, and their parents resulted in narrowing down the venue to Concordia Lutheran Seminary with five sports activities planned: soccer, football, basketball, track and disc golf. Businesses were contacted by the boys with three levels of sponsorships offered. McCreery said, “I learned how to sell an idea and convince people to give to me. I don’t normally make phone calls, so that was a new experience for me.”
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BY KIM STRATEGICDAVIDSON,PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR
ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI ILLUMINATIONS |9
That is a great question. Numbers can mean many things. As we receive donations throughout the year, that gift has a ripple effect that can impact our community in several ways. First, there is the obvious number that we use to know if we have balanced the budget for this year or not (yes, we have, would be the answer). Secondly, each gift represents a choice that the donor made to invest in our school. Some invest in our faculty and professional development, some in our programming, and others in tuition assistance.
After raising over $1,900 for the Acoin for Change drive, students got to celebrate by turning Candice Holbrook, Head of School, into an ice cream sundae.
“Anchored in our past, navigating our future together,” is more than a tagline. It exemplifies the spirit of our community and how we all work together to insure the long term sustainability of our beloved Oak Farm Montessori School and all that it represents.
What is in a number?
For OFMS, success in fund development is not determined by who can and should give; it is determined by who is moved to give as they are financially able. We truly celebrate each gift to the school, regardless of the amount.
There are others who are simply moved to invest as a result of what they see in our Howclassrooms.dowe define success in fund development? We celebrate the number of new donors that we have each year, the number of increased donors and the increase in the percentage of those in our OFMS community who choose to invest in the school. These numbers provide a glimpse into the culture of our school community.
A gift reflects more than being closer to making our budget, it reflects the importance that a donor places on the work that our faculty and students do daily and the positive energy that envelopes our school community as we work together throughout the year. Whether it is the Day of Giving, the Acoin for Change drive the students support, the Tall Oak Gala or the Annual Fund drive, we celebrate the strong community that we have at OFMS.
Percentage of Participation by each constituent group for the fiscal year 2022 to date beginning September 1, 2021.
In order to be able to determine how well we are meeting the goal of reducing the dependency, we monitor the percentage of the Dekko Foundation operating grant to the total operating income each fiscal year and compare that percentage to previous years. We have achieved significant success in that goal and decreased our dependency from 72% in fiscal year ending 2010 to 55% in fiscal year ending 2021. The “Income” pie chart (Fig A) reflects how the income from the fiscal year ending 8/31/21 is categorized.
Financial Review Fig. A Income. Fig. B Expenses. Buildings/Grounds/Equipment (11.4%) Professional Services/Insurance (5.3%) Administrative/Other (13.1%) Benefits/Professional Development (13.3%) Special Programs Classroom/Teacher(17.8%)Salaries (39.0%) Investment Income (2.6%) Fund-raising (6.0%) Other Fees (6.8%) Net Tuition (29.7%) Grants (54.9%)
Financial Review
BY Lauren Moyer, Chief Financial Officer
Oak Farm Montessori School has been fortunate to receive significant financial support from the Dekko Foundation for over 20 years. The operating and capital grants we receive help provide the school the opportunity to be affordable, independent, to thrive and grow at a pace consistent with the Vision and Values left to us by our founder. With that support, has always been the desire and expectation for the school to be more financially independent and self-sustaining. To achieve this, the school has worked towards decreasing its dependency on the Dekko Foundation and increasing the involvement of the school community in the financial support for the operation of the school. Faculty, students, and families enjoy the photo booth at the first ever Gala Preview Party held in the Wellness Center on February 18, 2022.
ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI SUMMER 2022 | 10
Another important factor for our school has always been that operating expenses be used to fund educational activities for the students. The “Expense” pie chart (Fig. B) indicates how the expenses are categorized and shows that approximately 82% of the total expenses support classrooms, special programs, faculty wages and benefits, and buildings, grounds and equipment.
CAMPUS LIFE, BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY
OFMS Drama Club presents 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!
ARTSTHE
Music and art are incorporated into the classroom work for infant, toddler and primary students. Once students reach their third year of primary, they begin working directly with our Related Arts teachers. Elementary through high school students have the opportunity to rotate through art, music OFMS artists hard at work expressing their imaginations!
ILLUMINATIONS | 11 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI
he fine arts have always been an integral part of Oak Farm Montessori School. Like the school, the programs and opportunities have evolved over the past 20 years. As Hattie Preston, OFMS Art Teacher explains, “The Montessori philosophy lends itself naturally to foster creative thinking. The most enriching art education provides students with tools to explore their world, problem solve and express themselves by teaching process over product.”
BY Hattie Preston, Art Teacher, with contributions by Nicole Lowe and Donna Wolfe
T
Each year, Oak Farm Montessori School offers a variety of enrichment and extracurricular opportunities for our students. After School Clubs are offered four times during the school year for OFMS primary through high school students. A variety of clubs are offered each year and include sports, outdoor exploration, theater, computer programming, as well as many others. Each summer OFMS summer camps serve over 600 students, toddlers through high school with unique camp experiences that maximize the use of our 150 acre campus. Some of our most popular camps include: theater camp, which wraps up with a public performance; soccer and basketball camp, cooking camp, outdoor camp and a variety of fun, creative arts camps open to the public.Athletic opportunities are currently available 5th - 8th grade and include soccer, basketball, cheerleading, golf, track & field and cross country. Our high school athletes are
HattiePreston,OFMSArtTeacher
ARTSTHE working with our Athletic Director to explore sports opportunities such as high school basketball, tennis, cross country, bowling, track & field and soccer. High school students are also given the opportunity to be invited to join the Athletic Leadership Council and through dual enrollment with local high schools, may participate in a wide variety of arts related extracurricular activities including: marching band, show choir and theater programs.
SUMMER 2022 | 12 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI and theater as part of creative expression classes. In addition to class time, students interested in learning more about theater production are able to participate through after school clubs and summer camps.
High School junior, Welsey Wolheter, intently learning the guitar. Simple beats, rhythms and songs are introduced at the Kindergarten level. Students are provided lessons and then encouraged to create projects through extensions.
COURAGE TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH director
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As I thought about past students, leadership and how that is different for each person, two good friends who were in my first MS class came to mind. Reagan Albright and Connor Davidson were, and still are, close friends who met in Toddlers. I first witnessed their leadership as they worked together with their classmates to plan 7th Year Leadership Week in 2014. During this time, I witnessed leadership as it was beginning to blossom and grow in these adolescents. Having reconnected with them in January 2022, I am confident that these young adults have the power to lead their communities with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to the best for all people involved. These two young adults were empowered by the strong foundation set by our Montessori environments to believe in themselves and follow their unique paths to lead through meaningful work. Connor is learning and leading at the US Naval Academy and Reagan is strengthening his entrepreneurial spirit as an I/T job recruiter at Robert Frost’s famous poem says “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” of & Student ServiceS
BY Bridget York
The paths that students take after leaving OFMS rarely look the same. Regardless of how many graduates choose to go to college, military service or the workforce, each one’s path will still be different. The road one chooses to take is not as important as finding the right one; the one that allows you to continue to grow, learn and develop into an adult who is following your passion.
curriculum
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Kendall and Davis. Reagan realized, after one year at Ball State University and in the midst of the pandemic, that he craves deep personal relationships with his colleagues. On stepping away from school, he quickly rose up the ranks at Creative Liquid Coatings to supervise over 20 people in a new program priming and painting Jeeps.
Other OFMS faculty that inspired them were Judith Cunningham, former Head of School and Founder of Model Montessori United Nations (MMUN), for the great example of professionalism and Jill Hoffelder, former Primary teacher and school chef, for her high standard of leadership through compassion, love and care for all people. As alumni, they have fond memories of their time, but also still feel a part of the OFMS community today.
Reagan’s memories of his OFMS class community are cherished and he notes that the biggest difference he sees in his OFMS friends and other peers is that from a young age they were “empowered to see the positive impact they could make in the world”.
Members of the OFMS class of '15 connect for their Senior Walk through prior to high school graduation.
Connor noted the difference between his OFMS friends and other peers is the focus on community and a strong work ethic. At OFMS he learned the importance of being a good person. Persevering to bale hay on the farm has translated into his training to be a Navy Ensign Officer. This is because he knows to put people first and be an example to those you lead.
Reagan built a community with his second shift crew in the same way he saw his OFMS teachers lead during his education. He continues to strive to better himself as a leader and business professional in his current field because “technology is the future and I love Reflectinginnovation.”ontheir time on campus; as well as the adults who modeled leadership for them, they both mentioned Pat Cole, retired OFMS Farm Manager, as a leader who provided them tools to succeed but also allowed the opportunity to learn through failure.
Reagan, Connor, Ben, and Emerson, friends since toddlers, enjoying time together following high school graduation.
Reagan and Connor were both influenced by their families to follow their “paths less traveled”. Connor was inspired to attend the Naval Academy because of the stories he heard of his grandfather fighting in the Mighty 8th during WWII. He hopes to be a pilot or work in surface warfare when he graduates and begins his five years of military service. Reagan loved the work at Creative Liquid Coatings, but wanted to continue to grow as a business professional. He was encouraged by his father and role model, Jerry Albright, and credits his willingness to take risks and apply himself to improve because he is a true lifelong learner.
What I witnessed when these young adults were leading their community in MS, has developed in Reagan and Connor the true meaning of our Portrait of a Graduate: lifelong learners who are emotionally literate citizens who lead.
“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” - Maria Thisasarefulfilltalent,EachFarmtalentedsayaroundSocietymemberandatotrainedareResponsibilityMontessoriandindependencebeautifulgiftsthatourhighlyfacultysupportourstudentsachieve.Since1996,IhavebeenMontessoriteacherinbothpublicprivateschoolsaswellbeingaofAmericanMontessori(AMS)accreditationteamsthecountry.IcanhonestlyIhaveneverworkedwithasafacultyastheoneatOakMontessoriSchool(OFMS).memberinourfacultyhasthecredentials,andpassiontotheirjob.OurteachingfacultylivingOFMS’VisionandValuesleadersineducation.commitmenttotheOFMS mission is central to all of our work. The core of the Montessori philosophy includes the values of respect, dignity, and equality for all human beings. These values are embedded in the OFMS culture and are modeled by our teachers through their interactions and support of each other. “They keep the Montessori philosophy at the forefront of all of their teaching and are a great reminder to the rest of us why that work is so important.” “Her positive attitude and kindness makes her approachable to all of the students she teaches.” and “She is extremely caring, understanding, and loyal. As a colleague, I can come to her with anything and she is always there for me.” These are just a few of the sentiments shared by our faculty about each other. By modeling these core values with colleagues, our faculty are also setting an example for students that guides them to challenge themselves in work and lessons. The children’s behavior is guided by observing and reflecting those they trust; therefore, in our classrooms, it is essential that our trusted teachers model leadership. OFMS teachers demonstrate and encourage students to envision what they are capable of, rather than telling them what they can and cannot do.
LEADERS BUILD LEADERS
Absorbent Mind: Continuous Improvement Sensitive Periods: Timing is Key Experiential Learning: Fail Forward These principles are in action as our faculty share their knowledge and collaborate respectfully with many educators, locally and around the country. While promoting understanding of Montessori education, many faculty members serve as board members, adjunct professors at the Center for Montessori Education at Trine University, and offer valuable educational resources to other Inschools.addition, the OFMS faculty have presented at many conferences: Positive Discipline, AMS, United Montessori Schools of Indiana (UMSI), Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS), and NonViolent Communication. Members of our faculty have also been requested to join accreditation teams around the country because of their experience, knowledge, insights, and unique lens to support the growth of other schools.
BY BRIDGET YORK, DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM & STUDENT SERVICES
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OFMS faculty guide students to understand how to gain responsibility and respect in the classroom, helping make leaders of all. In the book Work Rules!, Google’s Founders, who were Montessori students, discuss principles from Maria Montessori’s methodology that create the innovative 21st century learning and working environments that are needed today. Those are:
Montessori: 21st Century Workplace Respect: Cornerstone of Empowerment
Learners
10 Years
Lifelong
• Abigail Minich, Lower Elementary, AMS Elementary 1, 6-9 Credential.
3 Years
Work Here
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• Diana McCreery, Primary, AMS Early Childhood 3-6 Credential.
Candice Holbrook, Montessori Administrator Credential.
The work at OFMS inspires others in the educational field to visit our classrooms and discuss strategies with our faculty. Consequently, each time we have AMS teacher consultants visit, they ask to submit their resume to us, because they are impressed by the commitment to authentic Montessori at our school.
THANK YOU ELIZABETH!
Work Here
Nancy Bradtmiller, Upper Elementary, AMS Teacher Trainer Elementary 1 & 11. Oakleigh Butler, Middle School. AMS Secondary 12-18 Credential.
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• Courtney Pillers, Upper Elementary, St. Catherine University, Master's of Montessori Education.
Lifelong
OFMS is regarded as a leading voice in Montessori education. Our teachers model and live the Portrait of a Teacher: Citizenship, Leadership, Lifelong Learning, and Emotional Literacy. On campus they lead through building trust and empowering their students and colleagues to reach their potential. We are modeling and supporting our students to grow in leadership skills.
We celebrate our faculty for years of service after 3, 7, 10 & 15 years. Join us as we celebrate these faculty members' time as members of the OFMS community.
Elizabeth Green, OFMS Primary Teacher, will retire after 18 years to spend more time with her family. Elizabeth is mom to three OFMS graduates and was a Montessori student herself! Your smile, commitment to Montessori and OFMS will be missed! We wish you all the best!
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Kimberly Davidson Doug Desper Stacia Diggins Candice Holbrook Kristine MeghanAprilCourtneyLandrumPillersVanOsdaleDohringJeniEkovichAshleyKnudsonLisaParkerHattiePrestonMichalMiller
Devon Crouse, Primary, AMS Early Childhood 3-6 Credential. Sandra Deacon, Upper Elementary, St. Catherine University, Master's of Montessori Education. Stacia Diggins, Primary, AMS Early Childhood 3-6 Credential.
OFMS Faculty Embody the Portrait of a Montessori Teacher
OFMS welcomes student teachers, educational interns and educators from Trine and Taylor University, MSD Steuben, Whitley Consolidated, Hershey, Lighthouse, Agape, and Montessori schools from throughout the country to observe our students' meaningful work in action. Our Secondary faculty is partnering with Hershey Montessori School, Clark Montessori School, and Outer Banks Montessori Collective to continue the innovative design and development of the Montessori Secondary curriculum that meets the needs of our community, as well as creating networks for our students. Montessori in Action tours for the Kendallville Rotary, Dekko Foundation staff and visitors, donors and families inspire many to provide their contact information to support our students as mentors as well as offering internships and providing professional networking resources.
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7 Years
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Learners
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RECOGNITIONYEARSFACULTYOFSERVICE
• Misty Schoof, Middle School, AMS Secondary 12- 18 Credential.
2015 Adam Neiderholtmeyer (‘15) became engaged to Madison DeMayo. The couple will move to Dallas following their May 2023 graduation from Purdue University where Adam has accepted a position as a Engineer.Civil
Ben Axel (‘15) will be interning at the Club for Growth, a DC-based think tank and the leading free-enterprise advocacy group in the United States. He will enter his senior year at Wabash College next Fall and is majoring in Economics and Spanish.
Alex Tozakoglou (‘18) is completing his International Baccalaureate at Rotterdam International School in the Netherlands.
Elyse Niederholtmeyer (‘16) just completed her sophomore year at Ball State University where she is majoring in Nursing.
2013 Congratulations to Gracie Mulholland (‘13) who became engaged to Walter Humphrey. They have planned a June 2, 2023 wedding date. 2011 Sage Sauder (‘11 ) & Kathryn Sauder welcomed Maverick Sauder in March of 2022.
Abby Green (‘15) was part of the four woman team, Melanzano Cycling, that won the women’s division of the 34th running of the 2022 Little 500. Abby will be a senior at Indiana University, Bloomington this fall.
2009 Andrew Green (‘09) married Meredith Hathaway on December 29, 2021. Andrew is currently attending the West Virginia School of OsteopathicMedicine.
ILLUMINATIONS | 17 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI CELEBRATIONS & MILESTONES
2015 Madison Clark (‘15) married Noah Sheperd on February 22, 2022. 2021 Best wishes to Mariah Clark (‘21) and Ethan Lash who were married on May 29, 2022. 2016 Congratulations to Noah Sauder (‘16) who became engaged to Riley Anne on February 12, 2022. This page is dedicated to celebrating all OFMS past students, 8th graduates and High School graduates. All graduates prior to 2021 are graduates of the Middle School. If you have a milestone or celebration to share, please email Kim Davidson at kdavidson@oakfarmschool.com.
2013 Congratulations to Jordan Axel (‘13) who became engaged to Jared Fiedler. They have planned a September 9, 2022 wedding date.
SUMMER 2022 | 18 ILLUMINATING OAK FARM MONTESSORI Thank you to the 2021 - 2022 Community Sponsors for sustaining the future of Oak Farm Montessori School through their support. If your company is interested in knowing more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Nicole Lowe at nlowe@oakfarmschool.com on or before October 1, 2022.
NON-PROFIT PERMITU.S.POSTAGEORG.PAIDAVILLA,INNO.XXXX502 LEMPER ROAD AVILLA, IN www.oakfarm.org260.897.427046710 WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US. ALL EVENTS ARE ON THE OFMS CAMPUS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. FALL FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 3:30 - 6:00 PM PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT OCTOBER 6, 2022 6:00 - 7:30PM HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 20, 2022 6:00 - 7:30PM DAY OF GIVING NOVEMBER 10, 2022 THE TALL OAK GALA MIRRO CENTER FEBRUARY 25, 2023 6:00PM - 11:00PM EARTH FEST APRIL 21, 2023 3:30PM - 6:00PM OFMS ARTS & MUSIC EVENT MAY 12, 2023 3:30 - 6:00PM GRADUATION MAY 25, 2023 5:30PM - 6:30PM Interested in a prospective student tour? Krissy Mulholland, Admissions talent?Wantkmullholland@oakfarmschool.comDirectortosupportOFMSwithtimeor Nicole Lowe, Community Relations Liaison Wantnlowe@oakfarmschool.comtosupportOFMSwith a financial gift? Kim Davidson, Strategic Partnership www.oakfarm.org/supportOrkdavidson@oakfarmschool.comDirectoryoumayvisitourwebsite:tolearn more. Congratulations to our 2022 graduates!
