Sunrise Montessori School
Alumni
Thousands of children have graced our classrooms over the last three decades and we are proud of each and every one of them! We know that they are making a difference in the world. If you are an alum, please let us know what you are up to and we may include your information on this website.
Here are a few previous and current Sunrise students who have been in the news recently:
Congratulations to 2009 graduate, Samantha Wakerlin, who just placed in the top three for her grade in Napa County for an essay she wrote about the Transcontinental Railroad for the Daughters of the American Revolution national essay contest!
Former student, Emily Meehan, was the 2008 Second Place Winner in the Annual Napa County Crop Report Art Contest.
Above and Beyond (Kate Rubins)
Napan awarded scholarship (Leah Ewald)
'Hatters third in tourney (AJ Diakon)
Brown's all set (Lindsay Brown)
ESPN honors Sonoma State star Brown (Lindsay Brown)
Indians' Souza up for High School Heisman Award (Tatum Souza)
Giovannoni, Souza earn Indians' top track honors (Tatum Souza)
High hopes for Napa spikers (Tatum Souza)
Napa High's Souza signs with UCLA for track and field (Tatum Souza)
We recently received this letter from a Sunrise graduate --
Dear Kathy,
As I've grown up and experienced different communities and cultures (whether it be public school, college, or new parts of the country and world) my appreciation for the Montessori culture has grown. The strong emphasis on cooperation and peer mediation, friendship and celebrating our individual differences produces children who are confident in themselves and trust each other. I know that Warren's and my Sunrise peers demonstrate a maturity that is beyond their years, and approach the world with compassion and responsibility. Perhaps this is romanticizing the point, but I believe a Montessori grad has a firm handshake and looks you straight in the eye.
I have been fortunate in having very good teachers and professors throughout my academic life. The biggest difference I can articulate between public school and Montessori school is that Montessori teachers consistently approach the curriculum with excitement and wonder. Classroom work isn't drudgery - it's fun.
Warren has told the following story so many times, and I think it demonstrates the teachers' attitude better than anything. One day in upper elementary Eric Haugen had trouble finishing all of his work, and Sue Miller warned him that if he didn't finish it before recess he'd "have to do something bad." Poor Eric! During recess he was running around on the soccer field with other kids and heard Sue call, "Eric, come here, you have to do something bad." And as Eric approached, Sue opened her arms and said, "Give me a hug!"
I'm grateful for the education (both academic and social) I received at Sunrise. I still feel very connected to the Sunrise family and hope to send my own children to a Montessori school someday. Thank you for being such incredible teachers, role models, friends!
Where am I and what am I doing? At the moment I find myself bi-coastal, having graduated from the Univ of Pennsylvania last spring with a Masters of Architecture. I am working on a project in Napa with my dad while looking for a full-time job in an architecture office, preferably in New York or San Francisco. I am also in love! My boyfriend Eric currently lives on the east coast, but we imagine this year will see us moving to a new city and new adventures.
Best wishes to all of you (Kathy, Sue, Bonnie, Janice, Melanie) in the new year! I hope you are well and hope to see you soon.
Love,
Kirsten Shinnamon
Third Grade Class of 1993
Thousands of children have graced our classrooms over the last three decades and we are proud of each and every one of them! We know that they are making a difference in the world. If you are an alum, please let us know what you are up to and we may include your information on this website.
Here are a few previous and current Sunrise students who have been in the news recently:
Congratulations to 2009 graduate, Samantha Wakerlin, who just placed in the top three for her grade in Napa County for an essay she wrote about the Transcontinental Railroad for the Daughters of the American Revolution national essay contest!
Former student, Emily Meehan, was the 2008 Second Place Winner in the Annual Napa County Crop Report Art Contest.
Above and Beyond (Kate Rubins)
Napan awarded scholarship (Leah Ewald)
'Hatters third in tourney (AJ Diakon)
Brown's all set (Lindsay Brown)
ESPN honors Sonoma State star Brown (Lindsay Brown)
Indians' Souza up for High School Heisman Award (Tatum Souza)
Giovannoni, Souza earn Indians' top track honors (Tatum Souza)
High hopes for Napa spikers (Tatum Souza)
Napa High's Souza signs with UCLA for track and field (Tatum Souza)
We recently received this letter from a Sunrise graduate --
Dear Kathy,
As I've grown up and experienced different communities and cultures (whether it be public school, college, or new parts of the country and world) my appreciation for the Montessori culture has grown. The strong emphasis on cooperation and peer mediation, friendship and celebrating our individual differences produces children who are confident in themselves and trust each other. I know that Warren's and my Sunrise peers demonstrate a maturity that is beyond their years, and approach the world with compassion and responsibility. Perhaps this is romanticizing the point, but I believe a Montessori grad has a firm handshake and looks you straight in the eye.
I have been fortunate in having very good teachers and professors throughout my academic life. The biggest difference I can articulate between public school and Montessori school is that Montessori teachers consistently approach the curriculum with excitement and wonder. Classroom work isn't drudgery - it's fun.
Warren has told the following story so many times, and I think it demonstrates the teachers' attitude better than anything. One day in upper elementary Eric Haugen had trouble finishing all of his work, and Sue Miller warned him that if he didn't finish it before recess he'd "have to do something bad." Poor Eric! During recess he was running around on the soccer field with other kids and heard Sue call, "Eric, come here, you have to do something bad." And as Eric approached, Sue opened her arms and said, "Give me a hug!"
I'm grateful for the education (both academic and social) I received at Sunrise. I still feel very connected to the Sunrise family and hope to send my own children to a Montessori school someday. Thank you for being such incredible teachers, role models, friends!
Where am I and what am I doing? At the moment I find myself bi-coastal, having graduated from the Univ of Pennsylvania last spring with a Masters of Architecture. I am working on a project in Napa with my dad while looking for a full-time job in an architecture office, preferably in New York or San Francisco. I am also in love! My boyfriend Eric currently lives on the east coast, but we imagine this year will see us moving to a new city and new adventures.
Best wishes to all of you (Kathy, Sue, Bonnie, Janice, Melanie) in the new year! I hope you are well and hope to see you soon.
Love,
Kirsten Shinnamon
Third Grade Class of 1993
