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Akumal's Montessori Plans to Open Primary School Classroom |
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by Eleanor Zucker As promised in previous issues, we are including here messages from two of the Otoch Paal guides, each of whom teach their own preschool classroom of children ranging in age from 3–6 years old.  Emilia May leads the classroom Sak-Uk:My name is Emilia and I currently live in Akumal, a small town found in the Riviera Maya. I am proud of Akumal not only because I live here, but also because it is the place where I was raised and it is the place where I now work, at the Otoch Paal Montessori Community Center, which I do with great pleasure. My experiences as a mother of three daughters and as a Montessori guide have been very satisfactory to me, as each day I also am growing, similar to the children's development. Just as children experience different stages of development in their lives, and learn new things at each stage, I am also learning. So many different people are involved in Otoch Paal, such as the parents, and the staff, and we all work together in a united way to achieve the same goals.  Janeth Be leads the classroom Kinich:Working at the Otoch Paal Montessori Community Center has been and continues to be something very special for me, especially being able to share another form of education and knowledge with the children. For five years I have been working on this project, started by the Director, Gabriela Ortega, and each day I am more motivated by the gifts I receive from each child as I see them grow and learn. I know that what we plant in each child with love and patience grows and will bear a wonderful fruit! Graciela Avila is the school principal, and also a certified Montessori guide, who started working at Otoch Paal this past fall: It's challenging for me to say in just a few words what the experience of working at Otoch Paal Montessori Community Center means to me. Even though it is my first year at the school, I can tell you that it has been very rewarding for me in a personal way. For one thing, being in daily contact with the children of this community has been a great honor for me, because I can testify that Otoch Paal puts into practice the words of Dr. Maria Montessori: "The importance of the personality of the adults (guides) must be reduced, so that the children's personalities will flourish." Secondly, I have been able to provide support to the school's guides, and help them in their own personal and professional development. Finally, being in contact with the parents who put in their labor at the school during their time off from work, contributing to the improvement of the school installations, has been a wonder to see in action. All this results in a greatness of spirit without which the education of these children would not be possible. I want to extend a thank-you to everyone who has helped make this possible and to give thanks for the existence of this school. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a role in helping Otoch Paal Montessori continue following its vision. School principal, Graciela Avila, enjoys breakfast with the students
at the annual Elegant Breakfast event.  How you can help. As a non-profit community-based learning center, Otoch Paal does not generate sufficient funds to pay for all necessary school improvements. Monetary donations and donations in-kind are always welcome. Donations can be made directly at the school. More information can be found at http://montessoriaroundtheworld.org/otoch.html. Are you associated with a Montessori school that could donate used learning materials for the preschool/kindergarten classroom or support the school in some other way? Contact Graciela Avila, school principal. Directions to Otoch Paal: The school is located near the back of Akumal Pueblo, on the northern edge of the town. It can be reached by following the Pueblo's main street (avenida) to the fourth block on the right-hand side of the street. After passing the secondary and kindergarten schools (which are on the main street), turn right at the corner where the kindergarten is located and continue to the next corner. Otoch Paal is next to the kindergarten and the entrance is at the far corner, near the town's edge.  Janeth works on life skills with a student in the classroom kitchen.  Emilia sings a song with the children during group time.  |
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