Amherst Montessori School students strike for climate action
Nov 26, 2019
"We have to do something," said 6th grader Luka Meyer to his elementary peers during a recent community meeting. Krystal English, a lead teacher in the Amherst Montessori Elementary program, had been introducing the science of global climate change and discussing Greta Thunberg's Friday protests with her students. The students responded unanimously that they wanted to show unity with the youth movement around the world to strike from school to demand action on climate change.
Susanna Thompson, Head of School, shared, "One of the most powerful aspects of the Montessori curriculum is that it is designed to respond to student passion and interest. It wasn't even a question whether or not we'd support our students' strike from school. My only question was whether or not they'd let me join them."
The students considered joining the protest at UMass Amherst, but agreed that their presence might be more noticeable in town. On Friday, September 20th, teachers, parents, administrators, and students left school around 8:30 a.m. and gathered in downtown Amherst with handmade signs and chants. Passersby and drivers honked their support for the student-led protest. Elementary teacher Michelle Risch said, "What makes this experience powerful is that it has been 100% student-led. Going out with the children and sensing the support from those around us gives us hope that the children's voices will be loud enough to be heard by governments and corporations to pass laws and change business practices for a safer and healthier environment in the future."
Written by Susanna Thompson, Head of School