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Follow on Google News | Lindsey Pollock appears on Make It Happen With David LormsBy: Lorms Insurance Service She grew up in Minnesota with active support of generations of her family. Dr. Pollock’s mother was an elementary school teacher and her father was a College Psychology Professor. “My parents supported me in my ‘different thinking’ and wanted me to expand my horizons. Dad had served in Europe in the military and encouraged me to travel and get to know local foreign exchange students.” An early believer in justice for all, while she was in Junior High she seemed to be a “school trouble maker.” Case in point: Pollock felt it was not fair that girls had to practice basketball in the basement gym at 5:00 am and boys got to practice in the good gym in the afternoon. She created and collected signatures on a petition in favor of gender equality in the matter that she presented to the school board and city council! “My parents were tolerant of my early activism. My grandparents encouraged me to always do my best.” She smiles, “they reminded me often that there is no substitute for hard work. They gave me guidance and understanding.” Soon after that she attended a progressive Experimental Lab School. “I think my original Jr. High principal was weary of my antics and encouraged my parents to let me attend the other school!” she laughs. “One of my classes was Blind in a Sighted World where we researched learning differences and simulated how it would be to operate without sight. I still remember what I learned in that class. That’s where my interest and appreciation of self-directed, linear learning began. I am living proof that you learn more permanently when you have a part in developing your own courses, plus you have a greater commitment to the learning.” When she moved to Houston from Minnesota, she says she was surprised she didn't see cowboys, horses and deserts. She joined Garden Oaks Elementary School in 2008. A federal grant to support Magnet Schools helped them transform Garden Oaks to an all Montessori Magnet school. Garden Oaks follows the Essential Elements in Montessori Public Schools method. She further explains, “Because private Montessori schools are not regulated, I encourage interested parents to read about Montessori schools before they look into enrollment.” Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School is set up with multi-aged groups: ages 3, 4 and 5; grades 1, 2 and 3 and 4, 5 and 6. Pollock is proud to be a part of her school and her district. “This is our first year with the 8th grade, last year we added the 7th grade. Even more exciting is HISD is currently exploring the possibility of a Montessori High School. It’s a ground breaking public school district. We get to see a lot of innovations come to life.” Dr. Pollock is very happy that Montessori is in high demand – especially in Houston. ”We have 3 in HISD, and some in Aldine ISD and Alief ISD. Private Montessori is very expensive and that’s why we want to support it in public schools. By the way, we received over 900 applications for only 70 available spots! I have an excellent teaching staff.” “About half of our students are from the neighborhood and the other half chooses to come to Garden Oaks from outlying areas,” she explains. Some of her 8th graders have been with her since they were 3 years old, so this will be quite a tearful graduation! “They will be leaving with confidence and a great foundation for high school and beyond,” Pollock adds. She believes in being a role model for learning by doing it yourself. My faculty and I did a book study on The Growth of Mindset. We realized we have to share with our kids what we are learning and even how we make mistakes so they see no one gets it right the first time.” “We have a very active community that is instrumental in the success of the school. Our Civic Club Civic club gave us $4,000 for our recent trip. We took 7th and 8th graders to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to the Montessori Model United Nations. Students completed extensive research on their countries and then at the event they participated in debates just like they were in the United Nations. They heard from perspectives from all around the world. It was a great experience and one these kids will never forget.” What does the future hold for Garden Oaks? “We received $26 million in funding from a recent bond. Civic club members, parents, business partners and teachers have come together to decide how to be good stewards of this money and to determine how to make great education available to more children.” To find out more about the school, visit http://www.houstonisd.org/ From Principal Dr. Lindsey Pollock: Greatest Misconception About Montessori: It’s that ‘hippie way’ of doing things! “Montessori is not a free-for-all. Every child has his own work plan. In the classroom you can hear hum of purposeful learning. It’s a very interactive way of learning. It is a sequential, structured way of learning. Children learn to manage their time and to prioritize.” Best Gift Ever: “The most important gift I received was from my parents and grandparents: Favorite Supermarket: Most Unusual Claim to Fame: “I sang and danced at the half-time of Super Bowl XXIV” Extracurricular : “I sing with Houston Choral Showcase” Education: BA - Mass Communications MA - Education MA - Social Work PhD – Education Certified for ESL, Special Education, Child Care Administration David Lorms hosts Make It Happen With David Lorms, an internet radio show on http://www.KBREEZESports.com live every Wednesday at noon about entrepreneurs, business owners, and successful people, their challenges and failures turned into success, and advice for people to better their lives and careers. Past episodes are available by pod cast on http://www.spreaker.com/ End
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