This was to be the last in a series of three articles on Advocacy. Instead, it is an article on the power of community and the passion and commitment that leads to action. This is true grassroots advocacy.
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES March 24, 2018, Washington, DC and 800 other cities around the world
Reflections: Watching and listening to these children (9 to 18 years of age), who have been forced to grow up too soon, experiencing trauma that no one should have to experience. This is their moment—their passion, their commitment, their deeply honest truth, spoken from the heart.
The crowd of young people, grown “children” with their parents, families, grandparents able to stand together in silence for 4 minutes and 20 seconds. A community with differences but coming together to shout “No More” “Enough is Enough” “Never Again.”
The striking inclusiveness of the organizers, the speakers, the events that brought them to this day and to this place. Speakers who suffered the loss of siblings, speakers who were themselves, victims, a 9-year-old girl (Yolanda Renee King) whose grandfather, 50 years before her, led those who suffered and suffer still. They each shared their voice, they each were heard, and the community came together.
All shared their strength, their courage, and their conviction.
“If the processions of children appeared among us we would have to welcome them reverently and bow down before them in admiration. The child would appear before us as the teacher of peace.” —Dr. Maria Montessori.
As I stood in amazement at the power and grace of these “children” sharing their pain, speaking so boldly, I reflected on our role as leaders and educators. We are raising the generation that will follow, the generation that will lead.
As Montessori educators, we attempt to follow in Dr. Montessori’s footsteps. We teach peace, we believe in the children who can be the force of peace to change the world. We believe in the values of compassion, empathy, and a strong community. As we stand in admiration, and maybe a bit of awe, of these “children” who captured the attention of the world, can we use this as an opportunity to remind ourselves of our values, can we reflect on how we as a community, and each of us individually, can contribute to peace?
How do we live, how do we teach, how do we strive to solve problems and respect the “messiness” of each of us reflecting, growing, and developing at our own pace? Do we really appreciate diversity—not just racial or economic or religious or gender identity- but of the ways we each offer the best we can in whatever way, and whatever time? Do we honor and respect and accept that we, like our students, are individuals who each bring our story, our experience, our education to this task of becoming a Montessori educator? And most of all, can we as adults, as educators and school leaders, share in the collective reflection that will guide us as we guide our students?
The most basic foundation of “advocacy” for Montessori education begins with each of us as educators, in our respect and acceptance of the value of each student in our classroom. As school leaders, we honor each student, regardless of need or life situation. We honor each family as giving the best that they can. We honor and support each educator in our school regardless of position, experience, or training. To follow in Dr. Montessori’s footsteps means to be willing to actively participate in this “transformation” of our personal biases, our values, our beliefs, and our behavior. We make mistakes, we stumble, but we are open to learning and listening because, truly, we share the common goal of supporting our children as they grow toward their role as “the teacher of peace.”
Grassroots advocacy and activism is local, it is “common, ordinary” people building community through inclusive and engaging collaborative effort.
At the classroom level, we prepare an environment that becomes a “social environment.” “It is perhaps a natural thing—something that allows easy communication between individuals—sympathy, cooperation, etc. I have called this society by cohesion.” (Dr. Montessori). At the school level, this cohesion becomes a social organization that “connects all the people together.” In our greater Montessori community, we have leaders who are moving beyond organizational goals to acknowledge our collective goals while accepting and respecting our diversity. This is our time to come together. It is for the children.
As we look at the children who spoke with such eloquence, such passion, and such grace as they marched for their lives, we can use this as our opportunity to reflect on how we serve the children we guide every day. Our students each have their stories, their struggles, their challenges, and their joys and achievements. We contribute to who they will become. Let’s give them our best.
“We see the child who stands before us with arms held open, beckoning humanity to follow.” (Dr. Montessori.) ′
Christine Lowry has served children and families as a special educator, Montessori teacher, and a school leader. She guides schools and Montessori communities as they support students with challenges. Her commitment to Montessori education has led to experiences in support of local, state, and national organizations as they engage in advocacy efforts. She can be reached at christine@montessori-now.com or christinehlowry@gmail.com.
ML/ September 2018/ pg16
