Founded in 1994 by the late Mrs. Huma Gul, an AMI certfied guide and highly recognized Montessori teacher of 25 years, New Beginnings is committed to respecting each child’s individual learning pace. Our Guides and students work one-on-one, creating a strong relationship that allows our trained Guides to present lessons as the children are ready to accept them, thus keeping them challenged. Children also work in groups to complete activities, learning cooperation and problem-solving. The Montessori cycle of learning motivates children to thrive in both personal and academic situations. Children build self-discipline and self-confidence as they daily engage in meaningful activities.
Maria Montessori described the child’s learning process as a triangle. Child, Environment and Guide make up the three corners. At New Beginnings, we include a fourth side, making a square, with Parent in the added corner. Maria Montessori describes parents as collaborators in the learning process, and we recognize the vital role each parent plays in the total development of his or her child. Thus, we offer individualized conferences and special parent education nights to help parents learn about the classroom materials and methods. Our Guides will tutor one-on-one any parents who want to experience the materials for themselves. Classroom observation also allows parents to understand the way their children work in order to help parents be collaborative partners with the school.
Field trips, guest speakers, music and foreign language all add to the excitement of the children’s education. On a regular basis, children travel to a museum, the theater, a cultural event or a natural setting. We welcome all parents to join the trips as drivers and chaperones. Also, several times a year, guest speakers come into the classroom, bringing a new dimension to topics the children are studying. Weekly music classes and foreign language lessons provide enrichment and a well-rounded education. We also offer extra curricular opportunities whenever possible.
In conjunction with the regular Montessori lessons, New Beginnings stresses global awareness. Children learn about America and other countries and their cultures, and they also actively participate in clothing and food drives, both local and international. Children also learn the importance of our natural world. Environment projects, such as planting flowers and watering classroom plants, help children see themselves as caretakers. Classroom displays expose children to different global environments, and children learn to respect other creatures by caring for all sorts of classroom animals.
Knowing that children will move on to other academic facilities, our Guides include examples of other worksheet and test formats to better equip the students. By the time children complete the Montessori cycle of learning, they will have experienced language, arithmetic, geometry, reading, physics, biology, botany, zoology, geography, sociology, history, science and personal care.