The Event: The Seton Montessori “Winter Ball 2016: Life in Pictures” brought 170 supporters to the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook on Jan. 30 to help toast 51 years of their beloved institution.
Made up of 270 students and 50 educators, Seton Montessori is a school for infants through age 12, with full and half-day programs; as well as an institute for teacher education and certification through the American Montessori Society.
Cause Célebre: “We vetted many schools in the area — public schools, Catholic schools — but we really like the Montessori approach,” said Kelly Kirchheimer of Westmont, event co-chairman and mother of three Seton Montessori students. “The children are truly empowered to control their education and very supported on an individual basis.”
The Montessori programs are based on individual children’s developmental needs rather than a set curriculum.
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“Maria Montessori had a motto: ‘Follow the child,’ and that is something Kelly and I feel very strongly about,” added Cherri Kowalchuk of Willowbrook, the other event co-chairman and mother of five Seton Montessori students. “Particularly, this idea that the child is able to control what they want to learn. We practice that at home, as well, in following (our children’s) passions and interests,” said Kowalchuk.
For those who might think this leads to a free-for-all with no structure, Pedro Soares of St. Louis, Mo., former student, had this food for thought. “Visit a class. There is a method behind the madness. Kids coming out and going into normal programs are very well prepared having come out of this rich environment.”
Bottom Line: The event raised more than $40,000 for SMI scholarships, institutional upkeep and, specifically, the Tools for Growth initiative to increase access to technology.