Alumni Interviews of Nebula School–My Montessori Journey Vol.09

Foreword

Over the past 20 years, the alumni of Nebula School have spread all over the world; thousands of children have left Nebula School and gone on to a bigger stage to shine, meet challenges and realize themselves in different fields. In today’s [Alumni Interviews] program, we will continue to walk with you to learn more about the stories of the graduates of Shimeng, and trace the growth journey of the “seeds” of Montessori that have taken root, sprouted, and are still thriving.

Interviewee Introduction

Lily’ mom & Lily, a senior alumna of Nebula School, joined our community as a toddler and stayed with us for three years. Lily is currently in the eighth grade at Soong Ching Ling School.

Q1: Why did you choose Montessori education at Nebula School for Lily in her early childhood years?

Initially, a friend recommended the Montessori method to me. I myself was also interested in Montessori for a while. As a full-time parent, I started reading Montessori books during my pregnancy and found its philosophy very appealing. So, when it came time to find a preschool for my child, it was all very natural for me to look for a Montessori school.

I remember that there weren’t many Montessori preschools in Shanghai at that time. I visited a few, but they didn’t seem professional enough. These schools seemed to have the “form” of Montessori but lacked the “spirit”—both in terms of the teachers’ readiness and the educational philosophy. They didn’t quite match the Montessori education I had envisioned.

However, when I visited Nebula School, I found it to be very professional. The environment was warm and welcoming, closely matching the Montessori atmosphere I envisioned. Moreover, my child felt very relaxed, free, and comfortable at Nebula School. This was a significant reason for me to make up my mind.

After enrolling in Nebula School, I was even more convinced by the professionalism and the mixed-age settings of the Montessori approach. I believe Nebula School was a brilliant decision.

Q2: How do you think Montessori education at Nebula School has influenced and helped Lily’s personality, character, and other aspects of her life?

Lily has a wonderful personality. Families who graduated alongside us have become close friends, and we still keep in touch. And we see that children who graduate from Nebula School are really peaceful.

This comes as a combination of “emotional stability” and “having their own opinions”. In other words, external pressures don’t affect Lily much; she has her own thoughts and pace.

In Lily’s own words, she has a “good mindset”.

She aims to continually improve herself, but this improvement is based on her own goals rather than conforming to others’ expectations. I believe these two starting points are fundamentally different.

Speaking frankly as a parent, there are moments of anxiety, especially given the overall competitive environment. However, over the years, I’ve increasingly realized that Lily is exceptionally resilient. While some children may excel academically, often driven by parental push, they may not be clear on their own desires. In contrast, Lily has a clear vision and plan for her future, which I find shows her maturity.

Therefore, her confidence and determination actually make us as parents more confident and determined as well.

Q3: What learning habits or abilities do you think Lily developed from Nebula School?

First, Lily’s English proficiency was quite outstanding during her elementary school years. Nebula School provides a bilingual environment and has made her very confident in her English expression.

Moreover, Lily showed an interest in drawing while at Nebula School. The teachers noticed and encouraged this interest without hindering the development of her natural talent. Traditional teaching methods often involve the teacher directing what children should draw, which can limit their creative freedom. However, Montessori education encourages children draw in their own preferred ways, allowing Lily’s interest and talent in drawing—this “little seed”—to be well nurtured.

Over the years, influenced by Montessori education, our family’s educational philosophy aligns closely with Montessori principles. We fully support Lily’s artistic interest, so her future direction in art and design is clear.

Thirdly, I find Lily to be a deep thinker, with more mature and rational thoughts compared to peers her age. I believe this stems from the influence of Montessori education and its environment, which fosters logical and rational thinking in children.

Fourthly, newcomers to a Montessori environment might wonder why the classroom is so quiet. However, closer observation reveals that children are deeply engaged in their own work. In traditional settings, students typically follow teachers’ instructions, whereas Montessori empowers children with autonomy and space for independent work and thought. This approach ensures their minds are not filled by whatever are given by teachers instead of their own thoughts.

Q4: What inspirations and assistance do you believe Nebula School provides to parents?

First, Nebula School and its teachers inspire us through their educational philosophy. They communicate with parents to help us better understand our children.

Secondly and also personally, the greatest help I’ve received is connecting with a community of like-minded parents. When we chose Nebula School, we all shared the same educational goals. Even now, we still keep in touch and make time to meet and encourage one another.

Many may question whether investing in an authentic Montessori education is worthwhile, especially in early childhood education. However, what we value most is the essence of education rather than just the outcomes. Honestly, the most important aspect of education isn’t which university our children will attend in the future, because university isn’t the “final destination”. I believe education’s true essence lies in shaping a person’s character and facilitating the construction of their self-awareness.

In The End

We appreciate the opportunity to have this interview ! We are delighted to see that, with the joined efforts of school and family, Lily has become the person she wants to be. Parents, trusting in Nebula School and sharing the same educational philosophy, have come together and gained similar values, beliefs, and strength. This fills us with great pride! Education is a holistic process aimed at helping children become integrated individuals—confident, harmonious in both body and mind, and capable of realizing their self-worth in the future. We appreciate the trust of every Nebula School family! We will continue to uphold our original intentions. With the spirit of professionalism and passion, we assist every adult to become the facilitators in children’s journey of growth.