High School Students at Turtle River Montessori Welcome Renowned Artist, Author, and TEDx Speaker Leslie McGuirk
Jupiter’s only Montessori High School Integrates Influencers and Entrepreneurship into Curriculum
Turtle River Montessori School was thrilled to recently host Leslie McGuirk, highly sought-after artist and renowned TEDx speaker. During her visit, she engaged with students about her acclaimed presentation “The Importance of Being Wrong”, which underscores how being wrong can lead to innovative thinking.
McGuirk is famed for her ability to provide individuals with a fresh perspective that facilitates the rewiring of some habitual behaviors, and for looking at life through an out-of-the-box creative lens. She is so passionate in her approach, that she is booked at conferences and speaking engagements worldwide.
“You have to fight to keep wonder and creativity alive as you progress through life,” says Leslie McGuirk. “Spending time with the high school students at Turtle River Montessori was so refreshing because they are encouraged to challenge traditional thinking and ‘coloring outside the lines’ is actually celebrated in the classroom.”
McGuirk’s TEDx presentation speaks from the heart as she reflects on how a teacher was offended by her artwork and ridiculed it when she was in fourth grade. McGuirk says she was traumatized by the experience, but later in life, it motivated her to hone her freedom of expression.
The basis of the Montessori Method of education is encouraging and supporting children in tapping their creative and inquisitive nature. The philosophy has demonstrated to foster healthy thinking, high-functioning behavior, and productivity as one reaches adulthood.
“It was a pleasure to have such an influencer mentoring our high schoolers and sharing her insight,” said Bubli Dandiya, founder at Turtle River Montessori. “The teachings at our newly launched high school are very much in line with Leslie’s philosophies. All of our classrooms encourage children to make creative choices in their learning–and we are always eager to integrate progressive experiences like TEDx, and entrepreneurship at our high school.”
Since 1994, Turtle River Montessori School has been proudly providing students with the unique learning environment based upon the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori, developed over a century ago. The Montessori Method embraces a child’s natural desire and abilities to learn rather than forcing them to adapt to a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education.
The high school was launched this year as a natural addition to the preschool, elementary and middle school programs.
In addition to making learning exciting and stimulating, the Montessori Method equips students with lifelong “learning tools” and “confidence.” The school and its program focuses on the growth of the child as a “whole,” rather than just the rigors of academia. As such, a Montessori education helps a student achieve their full potential. The high school has a special focus on the Arts, Entrepreneurship, and STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Montessori schools have produced some remarkable individuals during the past century. The short-list includes notables and CEO’s/founders Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia), Julia Child (chef), Sean “Diddy” Combs (singer/record producer), Dakota Fanning (actress), Anne Frank (diarist), Prince William, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Prince Harry.
The cofounders of Google (Larry Page & Sergey Brin- Montessori graduates) both attribute Montessori schooling to not only being a creative self-starter, but also in being self-directed. Montessori graduates also lay-claim to be the youngest Noble Peace Prize nominee, Rhodes Scholar, and art exhibitor at the United Nations.
The Wall Street Journal writes: “The Montessori educational approach might be the surest route to joining the creative elite.”
About Turtle River Montessori School
Turtle River Montessori School (TRM) is pre-school through high school. TRM is committed not only to its strict adherence to the Montessori Method, but also in being in a class by itself among educational facilities. The teachers are professional, caring, nurturing, encouraging, and have a strong commitment to the students, their families, and the community. The cohesive bond of these elements creates a standard of excellence which is truly unparalleled.
TRM is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), involving rigorous evaluation of our methods and the maintenance of high educational, ethical, and professional standards to provide the best educational experience possible to all students.
The new building, build in 2009 is proud to be a LEED certified building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED certification is a worldwide standard for “green building standards,” which contributes to environmental stewardship through efficient resource consumption.
Visit http://turtlerivermontessori.com or call: 561-745-1995