On Friday, September 18, our students and teachers across all Alexander Montessori campuses came together to celebrate International Day of Peace, ahead of the worldwide observance on September 21. Across our campuses, it was wonderful to see our students come together in their own special ways to reflect on peace, friendship, kindness, and our responsibility to one another. Each celebration was unique, but the message shared across Alexander was the same: peace begins with each of us. Peace has always held a special place in Montessori education. Maria Montessori believed deeply in the power of education to help build a more peaceful world. In her words, “Averting war is the work of politicians; establishing peace is the work of education.” Her commitment to peace became an important part of her later work and led to her being nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. That vision continues to be part of who we are at Alexander Montessori. We encourage our students to understand that peace begins with the way we treat one another—with kindness, respect, empathy, and cooperation. These are simple but meaningful values that help our children learn to care for one another and recognize the role they each have in building a kind and peaceful community. International Day of Peace is a beautiful reminder of a value at the heart of Montessori education—and one we hope our students will carry with them, at Alexander and wherever their journeys may take them.
