Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonnie Lyn Evans.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A group of parents who had children attending a Montessori preschool program became intrigued by the idea of providing a Montessori educational opportunity in the public sector so that all families could benefit from this progressive educational pedagogy. In 1997, we came together as a founding group and petitioned the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to open a public Montessori charter school to serve students in grades K-8 in the towns of Amesbury, Newbury, Salisbury, West Newbury and Newburyport.
Fast forward 18 years and I am in my fifth year serving as the Assistant Director of River Valley Charter School. My experience in charter schools includes five years at a school in Haverhill as well as a couple of different positions at River Valley working as a teacher (one year) and a project manager (two years).
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been exciting, challenging and rewarding! Creating a public school that must function within the constructs of the public school environment, while also staying true to philosophies about child development and education that have differences from what is traditionally practiced requires passion, persistence and steadfastness. The outcome has been a school that has graduated almost 400 students who we hope will be a guiding strength in creating a peaceful, inclusive and conscious future for all.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with River Valley Charter School – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a public Montessori school. This is unusual. In the US, there are approximately 5,000 Montessori schools. Most of them are private and most serve younger children (preschool through first or second grade). There are about 500 public Montessori schools. We are in our 18th year and have maintained extensive waitlists since the beginning. We are both a hidden gem and a highly sought-after educational choice. Those who know of us have heard positive things. Those who have not are shocked to learn about us.
The Montessori educational model has a number of tenants that sets it apart. For one, children are educated in multi age classrooms (grades 1-3 are together, grades 4-6 are together and 7th and 8th grade are together. We have a single grade kindergarten due to the fact that there is no funding for public preschool in our area). Every K-6 classroom has two teachers who provide small group instruction to children based on where they are academically. In addition, children are taught independence, critical thinking and creative problem solving. Competition is de-emphasized and cooperative, team-based work is encouraged.
We are proud of the work that we do but even more so, we are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff who make magic happen in the classrooms every day!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Newburyport is an amazing place to live, work and educate children! The city and the local environs have so much to offer. It is for this reason that the mission of our school is “to provide a rigorous academic program based on the Montessori philosophy AND rooted in the history, culture and ecology of the Merrimack River Valley.” A large part of the work we do involved getting children out into their environment to both learn from the rich resources of the area but more importantly, to help them develop an appreciation and commitment to preserving them.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2 Perry Way
Newburyport, MA 01950 - Website: www.rivervalleycharter.org
- Phone: 97804650065
- Email: rvcs@rivervalleycharter.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivervalleycharterschool/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/RVCS.MA
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