— Continued from page 40
soned leadership, and the strong ability to relate to individuals. Working
at MD Anderson, I had been around
children for over 20 years and I was
very much aware that education is
like health care. It’s not a guarantee
but it’s a right. And children deserve
good healthcare and a very sound
education.
Anita: So what do you see as the
vision for the school?
David: My vision for St. Stephen’s
is that it is a progressive school that
remains openly accepting to all. It
supports and values diversity and the
uniqueness each child brings. We
are not here to judge our children.
We are here to support students (15
months – 12th grade) and help them
become their best self. Education
is about exploration, inspiration and
a willingness to look deeper at the
world around us. At St. Stephen’s,
this commitment to a holistic education — while upholding rigorous
standards — is what sets our students
apart from the rest. Here, all students
receive a comprehensive education
that helps them become well-rounded young adults.
middle school principal, Mrs. Nahala
Nasser, is from Lebanon and our high
school principal, Gloria Grande, is
from Spain. Ironically enough, Gloria came to the United States with
her husband who is in oil and gas
so there is that connection as well.
Both principals know what it’s like
as a family to come to the states for
the first time.
freedom within limits, and respect for
a child’s natural psychological, social,
and physical development. Through
Montessori, key elements are essential … such as mixed aged classrooms.
Mixed aged classrooms provide the
benefits of effective learning, increased interest in learning, peer to
peer interaction and leadership skills.
After that, we transition students into
our middle school which is for 7th
and 8th graders. They begin the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). At St. Stephen’s we
Anita: Can you tell me briefly, what
primarily chose IMYC because it is
are some of the experiences shared
based on brain research of children
by the families and students that are
from 6th grade through 9th grade.
relocating here internationally?
Anita: How do you prepare students IMYC is project-based, improving how 11 to 14 year olds learn. It
David: The majority of the inter- to live in a global society?
offers students the opportunity to
national families that we have here at
St. Stephen’s are in the field of oil and David: The curriculum that we make meaning, connect learning, and
gas. The majority of the internation- have is on a foundation of respect. develop their minds. Learning with
al families have come from Canada, Respect for all students, all families IMYC follows six-week units based
Africa, South America and Europe. in the community, so it builds on around a conceptual idea, called the
What we try to do is have an em- that foundation. We start our young- “Big Idea”. Students link learning in
pathetic mindset with those families, est students from 15 months up their different subjects through the
recognizing their children are going through 6th grade exposing them to big idea, considering what they are
through major changes in their lives the Montessori curriculum. Maria learning from personal, interpersonal
moving to the United States for the Montessori was from Italy and was and global perspectives. It helps midfirst time. What helps make interna- very much aware of how children dle school students develop as 21st
tional students’ transition easier is our learn differently. This program con- Century learners.
— Continued on page 46
two principals are international. Our sists of emphasizing independence,
44 iF Magazine | January 2017
We also have an open door policy
with all families here at St. Stephen’s.
Anyone can come in here at any
point in time to sit down, talk and
chat about their struggles and see
how we can help them out.