About CCMS
Thoughts from our Directress: Eva Sanford
I graduated from Loyola University in 1994 with a BA in psychology and a minor in Education. I first observed a Montessori school when I was a senior in college and it was unlike any other school I had seen before! The children were quietly working at tables and rugs individually and I was amazed. One child was working on a bow-tying frame, one was matching miniature objects to letter sounds, one was building a maze on the floor with long red rods, and these children were 2 1/2 - 5 years old. I was astonished children could master such skills at such a young age. I knew I wanted to see more!
I started working as a teacher at New Orleans Montessori School where I remained for 14 years. In 2000 I began Montessori training at New England Montessori Teacher Education Center in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2004, I took a course at the Gasell Insititute of Child Development in Houma to learn how to assess development readiness for kindergarten. When my mentor and directress, Mariyke Albers, retired I began my own school.
I started CCMS in the fall of 2011. The school is located in the heart of the beautfiul Lake Vista area of New Orleans. We have a wonderful environment complete with a big fun filled playground, and we are surrounded by Vista Park which is perfect for taking the children on nature walks. We don't just work on academics and preparing a child for the next level of school. We teach grace and courtesy lessons, care of the environment, care of oneself and problem solving skills. In other words we are teaching the child how to be a good citizen, a good leader, a good friend, how to make healthy choices and be a good person.
Our Objectives:
1. Instill favorable, positive attitude towards school
2. Develop habits and skills essential in becoming a happy, efficient student
3. Develop critical thinking skills
4. Instill confidence in self as an independent learner
5. Awaken internal motivation
6. Foster curiosity
7. Develop the begining steps of problem solving in social relationships
Testimonials
"Crescent City Montessori is New Orleans’s best-kept secret! My daughter and nephew have learned so much in just one year... A year and a half later, we are still eternally indebted to Mrs. Sanford and her amazing team of teachers. They provided so much of what we were looking for in a Montessori school and our daughter has breezed through kindergarten because of what she learned with Mrs. Sanford and her team. She has a firm understanding of independence, making good choices and understands all kinds of facts about the world we live in. Positive reinforcement and daily parent-teacher interactions really make Crescent City Montessori my top choice for Montessori education in New Orleans..."
"How does one write in a simple note their passionate appreciation for all that you have done for my child? Under your guidance, I have seen Sophia grow in so many ways... The bottom line is, the education she has received at CCMS is invaluable. She has a great head start in her school career and it would not have been possible without the passion you have for the children. You are an excellent teacher and CCMS is truly something special."
