Executive Director for the Day…Thomas Tobin
February 21, 2014

The Administrative Team at MSLF was privileged to have Mr. Thomas Tobin serve yesterday as the Executive Director for the Day. Thomas did a wonderful job shepherding children in from morning carpool and assisting Ms. Jordahl with decisions regarding school procedures and current hot topics. He was seen around the building throughout the day helping Mr. Kevin address classroom issues, and spent time with the Business and Marketing offices. Most importantly, he made himself available as a resource to the other children, who really enjoyed having a peer leader for the day. Thomas did a truly outstanding job. He was calm under pressure, had a smile for everyone, and spread a real sense of joy throughout the building. He sat down with us for a brief interview before he wrapped up his day as the head of school:

BW : Thomas, what is so special to you about MSLF?
Thomas : Easy…we get to do our own work, have fun, and we stay confident.

BW : What is good about being a student here?
Thomas : I enjoy all of the teachers here. You always know there is someone there to help you if you need it.

BW : Why do you think a family might want to come to MSLF?
Thomas : Montessori has our own way of doing things. This is a private school with great teachers and a great education.

By Teresa Pavelich June 2, 2025
At MSLF, overnight trips become an important part of Montessori learning beginning in Lower Elementary. Each trip is carefully planned to meet the developmental needs of students in the second and third plane of development , with each overnight trip getting progressively longer to ease children into these independent journeys away from their families. These aren't just trips - they're carefully crafted opportunities for students to discover who they are, what they're capable of, and how they can contribute to their community and the wider world. Beginning in their first year of Lower Elementary, students take their first MSLF overnight trip to Nature’s Classroom in Wisconsin. For many Lower Elementary students, this trip represents their first nights away from home. During their trip they explore the outdoors, work together in groups, use their practical life skills during community meals, and grow! It’s this first overnight trip for MSLF students where parents and staff remark how students come back almost transformed after being able to develop their independence in a supportive environment. Our Upper Elementary classroom has embarked on overnight trips to both Camp Timber-lee in Wisconsin and The Country Experience at Amstutz Family Farm in Elizabeth, IL. Both locations provide students with increasing opportunities to apply their practical life skills, like checking the weather to ensure they have weather-appropriate gear for their trip. Every task empowers them to develop self-reliance and problem-solving skills. These trips are also opportunities for the students to get to know one another and build strong relationships with their peers and with the adults in their classroom. Adolescent Program students at MSLF have opportunities to visit both Springfield, IL and Washington, DC . These overnight trips tie directly into their studies – connecting curriculum learned in the classroom to experiences in the wider community. They often take their learning on the road, for example by watching a legislative session in action in Springfield to see which bills are passed during their trip or presenting their research papers at monuments in Washington, DC. And for these students, the skills they built on their trips in Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary are put to work, as they pack their own bags, learn more about public transportation, and plan their daily itineraries to make the most out of their visit. Experiences like these at MSLF support the child’s independence, laying the groundwork for transitions in later life: the start of high school, going away to college, a first job, and beyond. As they conquer challenges outside their comfort zone, their confidence soars, laying the foundation for the autonomy and independence they will continue to utilize throughout their Montessori experience and beyond. It’s good for parents, too, to see how truly capable our children are!
By Teresa Pavelich March 7, 2025
Forbes Article highlights mental health benefits of Montessori education