Eugene Field Elementary To Become 3rd TPS School Switching To Montessori Program

Tulsa Public Schools is expanding its Montessori program, by switching a third elementary school to a style educators said promotes independent learning.

Starting in the fall of 2022, pre-K and kindergarten classes will be taught Montessori style at Eugene Field.

Eugene Field Elementary will be the third public school in the state with Montessori programs, in addition to Emerson and Grissom elementary schools in Tulsa.

It's a switch that Principal Angela Callahan is not only passionate about but also considers to be historic.

"I'm excited to be a part of what I consider is making history in education in saying, 'Not all modalities of learning have to look and sound the same,’” Callahan said.

Emerson Elementary made the transition to Montessori back in 2018.

It was the first school in the district to make the switch to what was otherwise only offered in private schools.

Eugene Field already has a model classroom set up.

TPS Early Childhood Programming Executive Director Kelly Kane explains what Montessori means: "Montessori classrooms are those learning laboratories where kids are exploring and discovering. They have the opportunity to choose their own work. It really builds independent learners and engages them in hands on experiences."

"I think the misconception is that it is not a structured program. That kids just come in and do whatever they want to do,” Callahan said. “Because that's what I thought, honest to God I did. With investigation and educating myself about the program, I found out that's not right. That is highly, highly inaccurate," said Kane.

Callahan not only visited Emerson and Grissom elementary schools to learn more, but also two public schools that have Montessori programs in Kansas City.

"And when I learned it was actually developed for under resourced kids to begin with, and what they needed to learn and be successful, I was all in,” she said.

Eugene Field plans to expand to the Montessori style by one grade level every year, until the school is fully switched, which TPS said will be by the 2027-2028 school year.

Parents will be able to step inside the model classroom at Eugene Field on February 5 during an open house from 8:30 to 1:30.

Kane said money from a 2021 bond passed by voters will support funding the switch to Montessori programs at Eugene Field.

TPS said it will pay for teachers to become certified to teach Montessori style.