Alumni Quotes
Claire Saxe
“My Montessori education taught me never to be satisfied with simple answers. It taught me to keep asking questions.” - Claire Saxe, Co-Artistic Director of Rough House Theatre Company
“The community built among the families at Alcuin was amazing. And those bonds are still with me to this day.” - Jason Rosado, Founder, Distinctive Coaching for Business Success
“I think it’s safe to say that I use Montessori-inspired skills every day. Montessori skills are really life skills.” - Colin Palombi, Teaching artist, printmaker, and Montessori educator
"My time at [Alcuin Montessori] helped carve my own path with music." - Jason Nitts, Drummer for the band Warforged
“Montessori has taught me to celebrate diversity and to embrace individual differences. I travel all over the world and meet people in very difficult, war-torn places. I rarely feel uneasy in these situations and find it very easy to engage people.” - Kurt Chesko, UNMAS Program Officer for Colombia and Afghanistan
“The thing I always rave about when asked about Montessori is that it instilled in me a love of learning, not just memorizing content. A lifelong love of learning is the only way to be successful.” - Heather Brilliant, COO, First Eagle Investments
“I am truly blessed that my parents made the decision to send me to Alcuin at a young age, placing me in a creative and nurturing environment where my natural curiosity could grow.” - Erin Kelly, Attorney
“The community built among the families at Alcuin was amazing. And those bonds are still with me to this day.” - Jason Rosado, Founder, Distinctive Coaching for Business Success
“I think it’s safe to say that I use Montessori-inspired skills every day. Montessori skills are really life skills.” - Colin Palombi, Teaching artist, printmaker, and Montessori educator
"My time at [Alcuin Montessori] helped carve my own path with music." - Jason Nitts, Drummer for the band Warforged
“Montessori has taught me to celebrate diversity and to embrace individual differences. I travel all over the world and meet people in very difficult, war-torn places. I rarely feel uneasy in these situations and find it very easy to engage people.” - Kurt Chesko, UNMAS Program Officer for Colombia and Afghanistan
“The thing I always rave about when asked about Montessori is that it instilled in me a love of learning, not just memorizing content. A lifelong love of learning is the only way to be successful.” - Heather Brilliant, COO, First Eagle Investments
“I am truly blessed that my parents made the decision to send me to Alcuin at a young age, placing me in a creative and nurturing environment where my natural curiosity could grow.” - Erin Kelly, Attorney
Sarah Jordan
“Montessori taught me to love learning and to focus on a love of learning. It also taught me to be independent and confident, and trained me to focus on my work and appreciate learning at my own pace. Alcuin brought out those qualities in me.” - Sara ElShafie, Founder and Principal Science Through Story, LLC
“I recall from my time at Alcuin that asking questions, genuinely engaging with the materials, and seeking things out on one’s own terms was greatly encouraged. That encouragement is something that’s served me well in my post-Alcuin academic life. It’s something that has helped me better comprehend the subjects I’m engaged with, and really the world at large.” - Vincent Valera de Barrett, History and Anthropology/Sociology Double Major, Senior at Loyola University Chicago.
“There may have been more than 20 children in the class and she [Mrs. Murti, Primary teacher] made each one of us feel that we had unique gifts to share with the classroom, the community, and the world.” - Tom Lillig, Managing Partner, Stone Ward
“I recall from my time at Alcuin that asking questions, genuinely engaging with the materials, and seeking things out on one’s own terms was greatly encouraged. That encouragement is something that’s served me well in my post-Alcuin academic life. It’s something that has helped me better comprehend the subjects I’m engaged with, and really the world at large.” - Vincent Valera de Barrett, History and Anthropology/Sociology Double Major, Senior at Loyola University Chicago.
“There may have been more than 20 children in the class and she [Mrs. Murti, Primary teacher] made each one of us feel that we had unique gifts to share with the classroom, the community, and the world.” - Tom Lillig, Managing Partner, Stone Ward
“The single aspect of my Montessori education that proved to be most influential in my life was the emphasis on independent learning and problem-solving. This allowed me to feel more ownership over the course of my academic career and ultimately choose a less conventional path.” - Joey Nakayama, Director of Product Development at the American Medical Association
“At Montessori you learn through experiencing the ideas; I found Alcuin life-shaping and the classroom was better than sitting at a desk all day. I loved it and am passionate about Montessori learning. It really allowed me to think for myself and I acquired a love of learning.” - Sarah Jordan, Professional Dancer, Teacher and Artist
“The independence and hands-on learning Alcuin gave me taught me how to manage my time, think critically, and try new things. Because of Alcuin’s small, supportive community, I also learned how to work well with others and express my thoughts confidently and clearly, which is something I have noticed people my age struggle with. Those skills have made it easier for me to adapt to the challenges of high school and really thrive on my own.” - Phoebe Cochrane, High School Senior and Track Athlete, Glenbard South
“At Montessori you learn through experiencing the ideas; I found Alcuin life-shaping and the classroom was better than sitting at a desk all day. I loved it and am passionate about Montessori learning. It really allowed me to think for myself and I acquired a love of learning.” - Sarah Jordan, Professional Dancer, Teacher and Artist
“The independence and hands-on learning Alcuin gave me taught me how to manage my time, think critically, and try new things. Because of Alcuin’s small, supportive community, I also learned how to work well with others and express my thoughts confidently and clearly, which is something I have noticed people my age struggle with. Those skills have made it easier for me to adapt to the challenges of high school and really thrive on my own.” - Phoebe Cochrane, High School Senior and Track Athlete, Glenbard South
