On why we switched schools...

My low down on why Montessori was not a good match... Number one, because it is ONE approach when I believe the best teaching is a combination of constantly evolving approaches that meet the needs of the individual learners. I mean c'mon , how could Maria Montessori have gotten EVERYTHING right? That being said, each individual school and teacher is different and may have more or less to offer.

• Some of my personal complaints are as follows... This approach values work but does not value play. As an active 3, 4, and 5 year old my son needed play time. Imaginative play is discouraged in Montessori, so no dress up etc. I realized how much I believe children learn through play. Also I feel this age needs to work on social skills and a lot of that is done through imaginative play.
        There was very little art at his school... none of the typical kindergarten cutting/ coloring/ pasting etc that I think is so good for kids. Although the kids got to choose what activity to work on, once a task was selected, it had to be completed in a very rigid manner. Each task has a specific sequence to follow. Thus my son got "in trouble" for building with blocks because he was supposed to stack them one certain way only. Montessori teaches cursive writing first which my little guy did not take to and became very tearful, frustrated that he could not do. When he switched to traditional school, he did much better with the printing. Much of the work in a Montessori room is individual/ side by side , thus the social skills taught are "don't disturb others" and "keep to yourself" rather than actually HOW to get along with others..
       I don't know that Montessori has a specific discipline approach.  I believe that is left up to the teacher, but the discipline used in his classroom was a deal breaker for me. Snack being withheld was one of his consequences (and this is a chronically underweight dude- still hasn't hit 40 pounds).  I found out (from the janitor!?) that he was being put out in the hall on a regular basis as a way to manage his behavior. I know the teacher was not a bad person and she was doing what she thought would work.  With the large classes sizes in public schools now (his was 35), what's a teacher to do when there are kids with special needs whether they be physical, emotional or behavioral?  I don't have the answer to that question but I am glad we switched to a smaller, private school. His mood, behavior and academic achievements have all improved.
       I also checked out the Waldorf schools.  It was very cool in many ways, but again ONE approach and a bit too extreme. I think I would have loved attending a Waldorf school.  It was interesting to tour a traditional  public school where the teachers bragged they had computers in the kindergarten classroom and then go to Waldorf where the kids don't do computers until middle school and even then just for typing. The students in a Waldorf school don't learn letters until first grade which seemed a bit slow to me.  I don't have TV in my house, but my kids do watch videos on the weekend mornings. However you are asked to sign a no TV contract when you attend many Waldorf schools.  
       The search for a new school did make me aware that comparing schools is not comparing apples to apples.  I felt like I had a pear, pineapple and a peach to choose from!  What's more amazing is that each school feels and truly believes their way is the best way. So good luck parents and find the match that's right for your child!  (I sure hope I don't end up with 3 kids at 3 different schools!!!)

Why OT for me?

Thanks to Cindra for asking the questions!
1. OTR/L  (Occupational Therapist Registered/ Licensed) .. Nationally Registered, State Licensed...
2. I currently work in a home health setting.  This is a great place to treat patients... in their natural surroundings.  They are usually more motivated and happy to be at home.  Also the teaching is relevant and specific to them and their home (such as teaching how to get into a claw foot tub, etc..)  I pursued occupational therapy after a volunteer job at a day program for adults with brain injuries.  The person who led the group addressed so many things: physical games, cognitive skills, fine motor arts and crafts ,social group;  I loved the holistic approach!  I asked the leader what her degree was in and learned it was OT!
3. To get into OT school required a minimum of 2 years of prerequisites (but I did 4).  There was also a review of transcript, required hours shadowing an OT and an essay.  OT school itself was an additional 2 years for a Bachelors.  OT is now an entry level Masters program.  I applied to 4 schools.  There was no gap before starting school for me because we started Anatomy with dissection that summer.  I think that class was meant to "weed out" a few before starting the 2 year intensive course work.  We had 2-4 Level I fieldwork experiences lasting several weeks each.  At the end of our course work we had 2 Internships lasting 3 months each, with an optional 3rd Internship.  I did one at a Veterans Hospital in California and one in Pediatric School District in Wisconsin.
Then came the big OT test to get Registered nationally.  That was difficult!!  The state licensing tests have been pretty easy; more about rules than OT itself.
4.  I started right away as an OT, but looking back it may have been more fun to be an OTA (less evaluations and paper work!).
5. I worked while going to school.  I worked various part time jobs:  children's day care, line therapist for children with autism, home worker for adults with disabilities.  These all gave me experience to complement my education.
6. My future plans? I would love to return to Seattle!  I would love to do more with aquatic therapy again.  I would love to open a center that combined health care with community wellness such as a Kids Sensory Center.
7.  I have worked so many places... Washington state had a lot of great opportunities.  I worked in aquatic therapy, a skilled nursing facility  for Dementia patients, a school district, adult day health center, and home health care.  They all had something unique.  I love being in a profession with so many options for places to work and so many different groups of people I can work with.  This job is never boring!
8.  Before entering my profession, decide whether being an OT or an OT Assistant seems more appealing to you.  (compare schooling, pay, job requirements...)  Know that occupational therapists are a bright, caring, creative, hands-on group of individuals who want to make a difference especially helping clients do what is personally meaningful.  If that sounds like you, shadow an OT for a day and then come join us!  Job outlook continues to look good as far as I can see!