The Gateway Montessori Preschool
Early Childhood Program
Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Gateway Montessori Philosophy
"A child’s work is to create the person that he/she will become."
--Maria Montessori,
At Gateway Montessori we believe that the child accomplishes self-construction through purposeful movement, explorations, and discovery of environment. Children must be given freedom to use their inborn powers to develop physically, intellectually, and spiritually.
"Avoiding war is the work of politics, establishing peace is the work of education."
--Maria Montessori
In the Gateway Montessori we strive for a peaceful learning environment. We teach peace skill through conflict resolution and study the world and its people. We believe that through understanding we can make peace with others who are different from us.
"Our goal is not so much the imparting of knowledge as the unveiling and developing of spiritual energy."
--Maria Montessori
The teachers at Gateway Montessori guide the children to self discovery.
Our Philosophy Supports Best Practices
- Child centered environment
- Responsive prepared environment
- Focus on individual development and progress
- Hands-on learning
- Spontaneous activity
- Self-motivated learning
- Freedom with limits
- Mixed age grouping
- Family/home-like environment
- Global education
Program Highlights
Our program is a laboratory preschool located in the Gateway Building on the SCCC campus.
The curriculum demonstrates best practices in Early Childhood Education.
A kindergarten curriculum is offered.
The school runs 2½ hours per day for five days per week and follows the SCCC academic calendar.
The Montessori classroom is a multi-age environment; we invite children ages 2½ to 6 years to join us.
We maintain active parent communication and involvement through parent meetings, newsletters, emails, and conferences.
Gateway Montessori Education Team
"The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator."
--Maria Montessori
Debra Ahola (Deb)
Educational Coordinator
Deb became a Montessori Directress in 1986 and taught for 10 years in a variety of Montessori environments. She holds an M.S. degree in Special Education and Permanent NYS Teaching Certification. She is currently an Associate Professor at SCCC teaching Early Childhood and Psychology courses.
Tamara Calhoun (Tammy)
Preschool Administrator
Tammy holds an M.S. degree in Elementary Education and NYS Permanent Teaching Certification. She has bee educating children from infancy to adulthood since 1984 and served as an Educational Administrator since 1988. She is currently an Assistant Professor at SCCC teaching Early Childhood and Teacher Education courses.
Debra Volks (Deb)
Classroom Directress
Deb Volks holds an A.S. degree in Animal Science from SUNY Cobleskill and an A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood from SCCC. She attended Montessori training during Summer 2004 and began teaching in the Gateway Montessori in 2003.
Links
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Deb Ahola, Educational Coordinator, at aholada@sunysccc.edu, (518) 381-1402
OR
Tammy Calhoun, Program Administrator, at calhout@sunysccc.edu, (518) 381-1295
Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12305
