Alumni News

Sam Brady, '13

02/14/2017

LMS Alum, Samantha Brady, is soon to graduate from Chase Collegiate. She shared her senior speech on Vimeo, and it is well worth watching...

Her words are a testiment to what a Montessori education can instill in a child. She speaks about the journey of learning and how Montessori education preapres students for the challenges that lie ahead.

Watch Sam Brady's speach on Vimeo:

Sam Brady '17 from Chase Collegiate School on Vimeo.

Una Shea (Class of 2012) Will Attend Royal Welsh College for Music and Drama

08/29/2016

Since leaving LMS in 2012, I first attended the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor CT through the eleventh grade. While there, I worked closely with the music department, playing in their chamber and orchestra programs under the direction of Faith Miller and James Rugen. I landed, by audition, a spot in the Northern Regional Orchestra festival for two of those years and also had the chance to play in the pit orchestra of Loomis’ winter musical, Oklahoma, in my junior year. I also managed the girls varsity swim team in the winter, and throughout the year continued my blacksmithing apprenticeship under the direction of Mother Anistasia of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT.

Outside of school, I continued my musical endeavors by being a part of the Vivace string ensemble of the Suzuki Music School or Westport, and was fortunate enough to participate in their week long tour of San Diego in 2013 as well as being featured as a soloist on both of their CD recordings.

In the spring of 2015, my family made the decision to relocate to Vienna, Austria for a work opportunity, and so I transferred to the American International School in Vienna for my Senior year. Although an unexpected change of scenery and culture, I had an absolutely phenomenal year and was able to thrive in the European culture without much struggle. Living in the center of the city brought great benefits, as the diverse experiences and things to do were just outside my door! While at AIS Vienna, I was able to participate in a choral performance of the Mozart Requiem as a featured soloist in one of Vienna’s historic churches.

It is with much excitement that I can say that I will be heading this September to the Royal Welsh College for Music and Drama to study violin performance. Music has always played an exceptionally large role in my life and I am more than thrilled that I have been given the chance to further my studies to assist me in making it my career in the future. My Montessori education through middle school helped me so much in navigating through high school and interpersonal interaction, and for that I am grateful every day!

Former LMS Alum featured in the New York Times

08/22/2016

Former LMS alum Timo Andres, an accomplished pianist and composer, was recently featured in the music section of The New York Times.

His piano concerto, "The Blind Banister", was a finalist for the Pultizer Prize and will be performed by the New York Philharmonic in April. To learn more, you can view the original article here:

"Got a Classic Piece? Here Comes the Sequel."

Former parent and longtime board member of Litchfield Montessori School, Linda Saarnijoki Receives the 2016 CAIS Award.

06/22/2016

Each year the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools asks for nominations for the CAIS Award. This The CAIS Award is presented to a person, group of people or institution that has provided an inspiring example of leadership and commitment to the improvement of education for children in Connecticut. These are the words I used when I nominated Linda Saarikjoki for the2016 CAIS award. I am delighted that she was chosen as the recipient this year.

~ Cara Johnson

Linda has played an important role in the life of Litchfield Montessori School for the last twenty years. It all began when she was searching for a school for her daughter, Eliza and she discovered Litchfield Montessori School. Eliza attended LMS from the time she was three until she graduated from Upper Elementary at twelve years old. As an educator, Linda saw the value in a Montessori education, and quickly became a staunch supporter of the school and its mission. She was a dedicated parent, served on the parent association, and soon became a member of the Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, Linda has dedicated countless hours and lent her considerable expertise to the school for twenty years! Her long tenure as a board member not only exemplifies her dedication to our school but also is a strong reflection of her dedication to meaningful education.

I talked at length with Linda when I was interviewing for the job of Head of School at Litchfield Montessori. I knew right then that this woman was an educator of the highest caliber, that she was smart, that she was tough, that she had very high expectations, and that she had the school’s best interests at heart. I also knew that if I was lucky enough to be offered the job, that I would be very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her.

In my professional life I have been blessed to work with a number of truly remarkable women, who have served as both mentors and role models. Although I have not known Linda for many years, I count her among these remarkable women. As a new Head of School I have faced many challenges, and I have been truly lucky to work closely with Linda.

Linda’s service to LMS alone would be enough to honor her with a lifetime achievement award, but what she has done for my school pales in comparison to the service she has devoted to Taft. Linda arrived at Taft as a young English teacher in 1976. In the 40

years that she has been at the school she has filled many roles. She has served as coach, teacher, advisor, dorm parent, English Department Chair, Dean of Faculty, and much more. Faculty life at a boarding school is not easy, and often teachers serve as much as parents as they do teachers. Work bleeds into the nights and weekends and it can be very difficult to maintain personal relationships and balance the needs of the students with your own. Linda and Rusty together found a way to balance these demands and still raise a family, and Taft is a better place today for their dedication and compassion.

Over 20 years ago Linda was instrumental in the creation of the Child Development Program (day care) at Taft, and served as President of the Board of Directors there for several years. She has lived a life dedicated to education, and in doing so she has made a profound difference for children from infancy to the moment they depart for college.

There is no doubt that, had it been her vision, Linda could easily have gone on to become a Head of School, but she never chose that path. Instead, she chose to devote herself to the students. In her role as an administrator she chose to devoted herself to faculty development, serving as a role model in commitment, professionalism, and leadership for young teachers and administrators like myself.

Willy MacMullen, Headmaster at the Taft School, has known Linda far longer than I have, and in his Parent’s Day address offered a heartfelt description of how Linda has so successfully mentored so many of the Taft faculty, including himself, over the years. His words hold true for what Linda has been able to do for former Heads of School and countless Trustees at Litchfield Montessori over the years. I can only add that I have a profound sense of gratitude for all that she has given to our school over the years, and convey a great sadness that I will not have the same opportunity to spend as many years as Willy working with and learning from her. I could think of no more deserving person to receive the CAIS Award.

Helena Weymouth Invited to Read Her Writing at the 11th Annual ASAP! Celebration of Young Writers

06/04/2016

An LMS alumna, Halena Weymouth, was chosen to read her poem "Imagine" at the 11th annual ASAP! Celebration of Young Writers. Halena's inspired piece was dedicated to former LMS Upper Elementary teacher Sondra Strubhar, whom she credits with inpiring in her a love of reading and writing poetry.

Halena's poem is about growing up, making choices and possibilities. You can read her poem here: Imagine.

Jane Spencer, Class of 1996

11/17/2013

Jane Spencer today and in her elementary school photo taken by Paul Cryan.

I studied at University of Colorado-Boulder and graduated with a BA in EnvironmentalStudies. During college I started working in Alaska during the summers and after college Ilived in Hawaii during the winter. I worked various seasonal jobs during that time from commercial salmon fishing, an internship for an Environmental non profit, lived and worked on an organic permaculture farm, worked in a small local Hawaiian market and cooked in a rustic Alaskan lodge. Last year I lived in Maineand worked for an AmeriCorps program, FoodCorps, where I educated kids about nutrition through gardening and cooking classes.

Montessori nurtured my sense of curiosity and adventure. I enjoy experiencing different cultures and over the past few years I pursued unconventional career opportunities because I thought they were worthwhile experiences for me. I am very experience driven and place a high value on personal relationships and meaningful work above all else in my career. Montessori created a strong foundation to enable me to pursue these adventures.

Some of my most vivid memories of being at Litchfield Montessori include nature walks, building forts in the woods, all the plays that we performed together and our unique field trips. The Native Americans, Black Snake Woman and Traveling Medicine Dog made a huge impression on me, especially when we spent an overnight on their compound. Also, so many of the art projects my parents still keep in their house and are a constant reminder of all the creative opportunities I had at Montessori.

I am currently working at Litchfield Montessori, in Admissions and Volunteer Coordination and have thouroughly enjoyed seeing familiar faces of my past teachers. It has been a great experience reconnecting with so many people from my childhood and being back in the community I grew up in. Litchfield Montessori is still the welcoming and nurturing school I remember from my youth.

Jane's father has recently rejoined the LMS Board of Trustees.

Jon Torizzo, Class of 1977

11/17/2013

Jon Torrizo with his family today and with his Elementary classmates in 1977 (right).

Overall, Montessori was a great experience for me. I recall spending lots of time outdoors, learning about the environment, and I think that did influence my long term interest in environmental science. I also recall developing close friendships with my classmates with whom I spent pre-school through 5th grade with. An experience I feel lucky to have had.

As far as my career path, I graduated from Skidmore in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science. After participating in a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Alaska Mountaineering course, I went on to get an MBA from the University of Rochester in 1994, then moved to Colorado soon after to pursue my love of the mountains and outdoors. After working for several years as a Business Analyst, I attended the University of Colorado to pursue a Masters in Environmental Science, with an Air Quality focus. Since 2001, I have worked as an Air Quality Scientist in several capacities including as a Research Assistant in academia, as an Environmental Consultant, as a Regulator for the State of Colorado, and most recently for an Oil&Gas production company, where I head up the Greenhouse Gas monitoring program and serve as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Air Lead.

I have been married since 2001, and have two girls, and live in Boulder, Colorado. Jon also added that his two daughters attend Boulder Montessori as he put it “The legacy lives on!”

Ryan Taylor, Class of 2001

10/20/2013

I feel so lucky to have been able to attend Litchfield Montessori School. I can say with total conviction that I would neither be the person I am today nor be doing the things I am if I had not been taught by the many wonderful people at LMS. If I would have to choose one thing that Montessori instilled in me that helped steer me where I am today I would say it's the encouragement to be curious. Being able to explore the world around us and be encouraged to look into the things that interested us was so superior to anything I could have learned from a predetermined curriculum in a text book. It's the teacher's willingness to let a child explore and be curious that makes LMS such an extraordinary place. I am honestly so grateful for every day I spent there.

I met so many amazing people at LMS and looking back on it, I didn't realize just how many good memories I had of my time there. It's impossible to single out a favorite memory from my time there. I can remember rehearsing for The Tempest, making a traveler's guide for our trip to Washington, D.C., painting a table in the Aboriginal style for the auction and playing kickball in the field behind the school. I remember some moments from Children's House and how I learned how to spell a classmate’s name by writing with water on the red door outside our classroom in the garden.

My family moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire when I was a freshman in High School. I began flying small aircraft at the local airport there when I was sixteen. I received my private pilot's license right before I began college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. During my four years there I earned five more licenses including ones for multi-engine aircraft and the privilege to instruct others to fly. I also flew a plane around the country with a friend during my junior year summer. It was an amazing opportunity to see nearly every corner of the country and meet some great people. While at Embry-Riddle I was in the Air Force officer training program working towards my Aeronautics degree as well as a commission as an officer. I graduated in May of 2011 and pinned on the rank of Second Lieutenant that same month. Since then I've been lucky enough to fly the T-6B Texan II flight trainer at Naval Air Station Whiting Field near Pensacola, Florida. I learned how to properly eject to fly our aircraft only feet apart from each other with fellow flight students from this country's armed services (as well as many foreign nations). The days at the office here can be long and are prefaced with a lot of studying and preparation but I wouldn't trade what I get to do for anything in the world.

It's such a visceral feeling whenever I see photos of the LMS materials go up on the Facebook page. I see the smooth and rough letters and can literally feel in my fingers the memory of that sand on the red letters and the wooden curves of the blue letters. A photo of the number chain goes up and I flashback to the little plastic drawers that all those beads were in and the length of felt that I would lay out on the floor to begin working on them the classroom. I loved learning about life and caring for it. Our rats Stella and Luna and the geckos and the fish were so fun to have as a part of our little family in Upper El. It's so amazing now that I'm older to see how some of these materials shaped my learning then and much further down the road. Litchfield Montessori was such a uniquely different experience from the public school curriculum for me and I'm forever grateful for that.

Paul Cryan, School Photographer

09/15/2013

Paul Cryan is pictured on the left with his grandaughter, and on the right one of the first school pictures he took at LMS from 1975.

Congratulations on your 40th anniversary. I was privileged to be there at the beginning. For 39 years I’ve been the Litchfield Montessori school photographer.

Litchfield Montessori has been an important part of my life. As a young man I always wanted to have my own business and photography was my hobby. After completing college and a 2 year hitch in the Army, I moved, with my wife, to northwest Connecticut. I put together a portfolio and declared myself pictured a photographer. On my first day trying to drum-up business I stopped at Litchfield Montessori. I asked them if I could be the school photographer. The teachers said “Fine” and my career was launched.

One of my first employees was a teacher from your school. Martha (Marty) Galvin worked part-time for me after school. From those early years I evolved into a business with as many as 14 employees.

I want to thank all of the parents that purchased the photos of their children over the years. I will always be grateful for having the opportunity to make a living in photography.

Sarah Bodley, Class of 1993

08/24/2013

I attended Litchfield Montessori School from 1986-1993. Following my time at LMS, I attended Washington Montessori, Litchfield High School, and received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase College in 2006. Currently, I am the General Manager of Doug Varone and Dancers, a modern dance company based in New York City. I live in Brooklyn, and am also a freelance performer with Nora Petroliunas' The Pharmacy Project, NOA Dance with Nelly van Bommel, and Alex|Xan: The Median Movement, among others. This past summer, I took a sabbatical to travel through Nova Scotia by bicycle, and hope to do much more bike touring in the future.

I have endless fond memories of my time at LMS. As the daughter of a teacher, I spent probably more time than average in that school, and remember learning a vast range of things, from long division (I still think of the test tubes) to how to put on lipstick (thanks, Melanie Walker from Texas who taught Upper El). Mostly, I remember the overall feeling of ownership over what I was learning; having the freedom to complete your work throughout the week at your own pace instilled a sense that my teachers trusted me to do what needed to be done; that sense of trust and ownership has proven immensely valuable in my working life, both as an employee and a boss. Montessori provides an environment that encourages curiosity and exploration, values which I've held on to throughout my life.

As I continue to explore and find my own path, I feel lucky to have such a strong foundation of encouragement to try new things, and learn by doing.