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Miracle Howe, former SUIMA student and sibling to Bryan, discovers the Golden Egg during her family’s Easter egg hunt.
Carolyn Striker SUIMA Curriculum Coordinator
Primary Four student Bryan Howe, with his Easter baskets – one from SUIMA and the other from his family. Bryan and Miracle’s parents are Amelia Howe and Tina Valdez
Photo Credit: courtesy Howe/Valdez Family
Photo Credit: SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy Howe/Valdez Family
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From the Eagle’s Nest

Friday - April 9, 2021 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum

Montessori Skills: Practical Life

Spring break came and went, as did Easter. This time last year seems so long ago, but really in the scheme of life, it has been just a short time.    

The most recent article of the Eagle’s Nest included how SUIMA used what occurred last spring as a guide to make improvements for this school year.  The biggest hurdle to overcome was in the area of technology.   

Using a curriculum that is based on almost 90% of hands-on learning, didn’t afford much student practice in technology. While students might be proficient in gaming technology, actual academic technology might not be forefront in their daily activities.  

For guides and teachers who have spent much of the career in Montessori classrooms, the idea of creating online classrooms, having various passwords, and relying on the often-un-reliable internet was a bit daunting. This was true for some of the SUIMA parents also.  Yet, together, we have helped one another.    

Chromebooks and hot spots have been provided; if internet issues happen, the students can fall back on their binders and material packets; and the Southern Ute Shared Services (SUSS) supports the school and parents the best they can.  During the virtual platforms that we use to deliver lessons, the older, and some younger, students are able to log themselves in; mute themselves; change their backgrounds; raise their hands; join breakout rooms and allow the camera to be on or off. The students have grown in independence just by performing these simple tasks.   

In the world of Montessori, we call these skills “Practical Life.”  In the world of COVID, I think the students of SUIMA have had an immense amount of “Practical Life” learning and would just like to get back to “Normal Life.” We will all get there eventually.  In the meantime, continue to be safe. 

Carolyn Striker
SUIMA Curriculum Coordinator

STAFF SPOTLIGHT 

For this issue of the Eagles Nest, our focus is on Curriculum Coordinator, Carolyn Striker.  

Prior to her re-joining SUIMA in February 2020, Ms. Striker was a private tutor, a Montessori consultant and taught in area schools. 

Her favorite thing to do when she is not at school is to be outdoors.  Whether she is backpacking, camping, hiking or mountain biking, you can usually find her and her dog Gracie, on a high mountain top.  Along with her husband, Joe, they enjoy the company of friends and delicious food at potlucks. 

Carolyn says the best parts of working at SUIMA is the children, the staff, and the beautiful campus.  Ms. Strikers advice to students comes from Bob Cousy, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.  Do you best when on one is looking.  If you do that, then you can be successful at anything you put your mind to.”   

Thank you, Carolyn, for being part of the SUIMA family.  

 

Upcoming events: 

  • Monday, 4/13-5/7: Benchmark Assessment/Test Window 
  • Tuesday, 4/13: Parent Advisory Group meeting at 6 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, 4/21: PAG Family Night at 6 p.m., Topic: Ute Chiefs  
  • Monday 4/26: No School for students – Professional Development 
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