Today we’d like to introduce you to Lila Jokanovic. Lila, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. One afternoon, while sitting in the Early Childhood section of a local library – mainly because it was basically empty and therefore had seating […]
Council Oak Montessori School (COMS) has wrapped up its first full year in its new building in Blue Island, and what a year it has been! Last fall, COMS staff welcomed 50 students and their families to a beautifully prepared Montessori environment—the school’s facility not only enjoys a close proximity to the Cal-Sag Channel and […]
Council Oak, now located at 2521 Grove St., is partnering with Joe O’Meara, a chef who has worked under world-renowned Chef Rick Bayless, to introduce a farm-to-table program at the school in which O’Meara’s Blue Island Organic Sustainable (BIOS) Farm project will provide food and help students grow their own. Read Full Article
Before I had even heard of Montessori Education, before I ever even knew I had it in me to work with young children, let alone head a Montessori school, I picked up a book on early childhood development on a whim. It was by Maria Montessori, and in it she discussed the prepared environment and […]
Recently I explained to the Middle School students that they are currently involved in launching a component of our program which will move us closer to Maria Montessori’s vision of the appropriate learning environment for adolescents. Our program has always implemented her ideas of giving the students real work opportunities, interactions in the larger society, […]
Four years ago I visited a student run business at another Montessori school and after witnessing the confidence and pride the children exhibited while rushing to fill their customer’s orders, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to begin here at Council Oak. The next September I asked my Upper Elementary students if they […]
On October 5th and 6th, the staff went “off campus” for professional development. Friday was spent at the Art Institute of Chicago. What a great place to spend a rainy morning! We arrived before the museum opened and were greeted by a young woman, who happened to be the niece of Marsha Enright, one of […]
Practical Life is foundationally important in the development of the whole child. As mentioned at Open House and Parent Night, this is one of the five defined learning areas that should be evident in every Montessori classroom. The three categories in practical life are care of self, care for others and care of the environment. […]