Montessori Academy, inaugurated

Fr. Pres. Salazar, trustees inaugurate Montessori Academy

The USC Board of Trustees led by Engr. Jesus Alcordo, took time out from a special meeting to join Father President Roderick C. Salazar, Jr., SVD, together with the University Cabinet and other officials, in inaugurating at noon today the Montessori Academy, the latest member of the Carolinian community. Fr. Pres. Salazar; Fr. Heinz Kulueke, SVD, provincial superior of the SVD Southern Province; and Engr. Alcordo, chair of the Board, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a prayer service and the blessing of the academy's facilities.

All smiles as another milestone in USC history is about to unfold. Front row, from left: Fr. Pres. Salazar, Fr. Dionisio Miranda, Fr. Kulueke, Engr. Alcordo, Dr. Pericles Dakay. Back row, from left: Fr. Ernesto Lagura, Dr. Ernesto Pernia, Fr. Francisco Estepa, Dr. Queenie Siega (partly hidden) and Fr. Teodoro Gapuz

The academy, which is housed at the former Divine Word Formation Center behind the North Campus, is a fruition of over ten years of Montessori education at USC. It began as an alternative learning program of the College of Education in 1995 when Sr. Christine Trudeau, NDS, opened the Montessori Education Center at the South Campus. Dr. Queennie Siega, who was instrumental in developing the program into a distinct educational center, heads the academy together with Sr. Ma. Agnes B. Lentejas, OSF as consultant. A total of 12 teachers make up the pioneering batch of mentors in the Academy.

Facade of the administration offices of the academy

The academy boasts of nearly a hectare of sprawling campus playgrounds amidst 19 rooms, including a library, a music room, and cosmic room. Currently, there are 152 pupils enrolled, ranging from the sges 3 to 19 years old. The academy is the University's gift to the centennial of the type of education developed by Italy's first woman doctor and child educator, Dr. Maria Montessori.

The academy's principal, teachers and staff pose with the members of the Board of Trustees and the University Administration led by Fr. Pres. Salazar.

Author: J.E. Bersales
21 / July / 2007