Category Archives: Early Childhood Education

03.14.25
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It’s March Madness 2025 at TNCS!

At The New Century School, the month of March is always positively brimming with academic and social events—so many that Immersed typically needs two March Madness posts (this year will be no different). Is it because, just like in the natural world, students and staff alike are bursting to bloom? Or because, after months of coaching and practice, it’s time to go for some slam dunks? Or maybe it’s just all that fierce March energy that blows in and gets everyone fired up for what’s next. Whatever the reason, we love what March brings at TNCS!

Core Value Refresh!

Amid all the preparations for all of March’s exciting events, TNCS K–8 students took a moment to refresh on what it means to be just that—a student at TNCS!

TNCS Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti says:

The flag tradition began as part of a COVID-19 remembrance day, as Friday, March 13, 2020, was the last “normal” day of school before the pandemic hit the East Coast. Students made flags to express joy and hope in the future, remembrance as our community remembered the loved ones we have lost, the change in our lives, and the power of our reliance and adaptability.

Today, we continue holding this day to reflect on how we adapted to a new world need and think about how we can apply the same types of coordination and dedication to meet other global challenges. We also highlight our core values—Compassion, Courage, Respect, Service—knowing that we will call upon them throughout our lives and recognizing their role in helping us meet future challenges.

We are fortunate as a community (and as a society as a whole) to be 5 years past that moment, and thank you, TNCS students, for reminding us not only just how fortunate we truly are, but also about the values and traits we hone to get us through such challenges, whether big or small.

Shower of Appreciation

And that brings us to our next March highlight: the Appreciation Brunch Ms. Simonetti held the very next day on Friday, March 14th to show gratitude to all of the teachers, admin, and staff (including auxiliary members) who keep the marvel that is TNCS flourishing . . . literally, each and every one of them!

Building North was transformed into a beautiful bistro setting, and a buffet-style brunch was served. Ms. Simonetti created a slide show of the honorees through the years for all to enjoy while they ate. She then honored each and every one with a special, personalized gift and individual recognition of their particular contribution to the community.

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TNCS Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane made sure Ms. Simonette was also recognized!

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The morning was a wonderful break from the day-to-day to relax, appreciate each other, and relive some terrific memories—but it didn’t end there! Built in to this already-special event was a surprise wedding shower for Mandarin Chinese teacher Jia Liu, who recently got engaged and married!

Liu Laoshi explained that, although the surprise party was on Friday, the surprises actually began Thursday morning!

I got a surprise bouquet—but not just any bouquet. Each “flower” was a drawing made by the kids over the weekend. On Monday, Andy secretly collected them all and gave them to Lumi’s mom, who turned them into a beautiful bouquet.

Later, I found out that the week before, the parents in my class and Andy had started a secret group chat just to plan this surprise for me—with the kids involved! How sweet is that? Andy told me he was so nervous I’d catch on while he was collecting their weekend work… and the funniest part is: I had no idea. Like, zero clue.

Meanwhile, I had actually planned a surprise for them too—I brought in a veil and pom-poms for us to decorate together. So on Thursday, we made a “wedding veil” as a class craft. The timing was perfect!

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“Then Friday morning,” she continued, “I brought in two big boxes of candy.”

In Chinese tradition, after you get married, you share sweets with family and friends to spread the happiness. I even printed out a little explanation and went around giving out candy. I was so sure I was the one bringing surprises that day… but turns out, everyone else was just acting cool and keeping their surprise totally under wraps!”

Honestly, I was so touched. Since this was just a courthouse ceremony and honeymoon (our families are all in China), I wasn’t expecting anything. When I saw what they did for me, I felt like crying—in the best way. It was such a warm, loving moment. I’m so lucky to be part of TNCS. Huge thanks to Ms. Sussman and Ms. Lane, and to all the parents who made it happen.

I shared everything with my friends and family in China, and they were all so happy that I work in such a sweet and supportive place.

Stay tuned for more March Madness at TNCS!

02.28.25
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Together We Can: TNCS’s Black History Month Celebration 2025!

At The New Century School, “creating an inclusive environment is at the heart of everything we do.” So said Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti to open last night’s Black History Month Celebration. It will be lost on exactly no one just how poignant those few simple words were at this . . . beleaguered moment in U.S. history.

Commitment to Inclusion in Challenging Times

Last night, however, was all about the hope, joy, and community that TNCS represents. And what a way to close out Black History Month! As she continued her opening remarks, Ms. Simonetti set the tone for the evening by reaffirming TNCS’s unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive environment:

Our core values and portrait of a graduate reflect our dedication to honoring the diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds of our students, families, and staff. As a school community, we strive to prepare students to thrive in the increasingly diverse world. Understanding history, embracing different perspectives, and standing for equity and inclusion are not just ideals, but necessities. In times when efforts to diminish equity and the truth of history are making headlines, it’s more important than ever that we remain committed to recognizing and preserving the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds and ensuring that every story is valued, and every voice is heard. Dr. Maria Montessori called on us to provide conditions that will allow our children to give us a true picture of the society of the future. Tonight’s celebration is one way that we do just that.

She then asked the audience to stand, as TNCS students raised their voices in song, and TNCS’s auditorium rang for the next hour with powerful voices, moving poetry, call-and-response, and joyous songs commemorating Black History Month.

Celebration Through Expression

Parents and staff watched with pride as TNCS students demonstrated not just their artistic talents, but their growing understanding of equity, justice, and the importance of amplifying diverse voices. We cannot overstate how much team effort went into making this event a resounding success, from the student-made art festooning the walls, to TNCS Music Director Martellies Warren’s rousing—and beautiful—choral selections, to all of the behind-the-scenes-but-no-less-appreciated support from teachers and other staff.

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The Show Must Go On. . . 

When TNCS K–8 students took to the stage (in high style), the enthusiastic response from audience members confirmed that our community treasures these opportunities to come together in celebration of our shared humanity and diverse heritage.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

First up, the “Black National Anthem”!

Something Inside So Strong

Wade in the Water

Some Very Special Extras 

But that wasn’t all. TNCS students read excerpts from Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” and spoke on themes central to Black History Month, like the importance of the Divine Nine.

The grandmother of a TNCS preschooler even came up to read Amanda Gorman’s Change Sings, backed by slides showing the beautiful illustrations by Loren Long.

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And TNCS favorite LaTriese Sussman led the audience in a Call and Response adapted from Rebecca Parker’s poem “Choose to Bless the World.” Ms. Simonetti confessed that she knew this moving celebration was going to bring her to tears at some point, and this beautiful, whole-community participation piece did the trick.

Reflections . . . and Looking Forward

In a time when difficult conversations about race and history are sometimes avoided, TNCS embraces them as essential to developing compassionate, informed citizens who will shape a better world. This Black History Month celebration wasn’t just about looking back—it was about moving forward together with greater understanding and purpose.

This commitment feels particularly significant today. While some governmental policies appear to be rolling back progress on diversity initiatives and historical accuracy in education, TNCS stands firm in its belief that understanding our complete history and embracing multiple perspectives are essential for preparing students to navigate our diverse world. The light of understanding that shone so brightly during our celebration continues to guide us forward—illuminating not just where we’ve been, but the more inclusive, equitable world we’re working to create.

Together, we can.

01.10.25
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Art and Education: Brenda Lane Blends Her Dual Passions at TNCS!

At The New Century School, students in the primary program are fortunate to work with an educator who brings a unique creative perspective to the classroom. Brenda Lane, a visual development artist, seamlessly balances her role as a teaching assistant with an emerging career in animation. If that surname is ringing a bell, it should—Miss Brenda is the daughter of none other than TNCS Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane!

Miss Brenda Gets Animated!

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Miss Brenda (and family) moved to Columbia, MD when she was in high school. But it wasn’t until college that her passion for the arts began to bloom. She majored in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she discovered her true calling in her final year. “I knew I didn’t want to be a gallery artist. Then, in my last year, I suddenly realized I want to work on movies and TV shows. That was my ‘it-all-came-together’ moment,” she reflects.

Unfortunately, the pandemic curtailed networking opportunities, so she sought other fulfilling post-graduation employment in the interim:

I really wanted something while I was waiting for that big job opportunity that would be helpful to the community. I didn’t want to work in customer service anymore, which I did all through college. I definitely wanted to do something that was more impactful, so I started at my mom’s last school as an aftercare teacher, and they soon pulled me in to be a floating assistant.

The interim turned out to be more than a temporary stopgap, as we’ll see. But, back to the early 2020s, Miss Brenda saw an opportunity and seized it. She traveled to Los Angeles to attend an animation industry conference, sensing that the animation industry on the East Coast was not very robust. This decision proved pivotal, leading to her current role as Creative Production Director at Black-n-Animated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Black artists and animators enter and thrive in the industry. “Everything kind of fit into place,” she says of the serendipitous connection.

Two years on, her artistic career continues to flourish. She’s currently working on “Assassinista,” a 3D animated short film through a Pixar co-op slated for release on Disney+ in 2027. “It’s comparable to the ‘Spider-Verse’ kind of animation style,” she explains. “It’s only 7 minutes, but we’re going to get it there.” In this project, she serves as both assistant producer and color key artist (as part of her visual development expertise), marking her first official credit in the animation industry.

“I’m really into concept art, such as what Pixar and other studios do, which shows the process of how you get to a design,” explains Miss Brenda. “Concept art and visual development are really one and the same. So, basically, if someone needs a shelf or a window in a scene, for example, I can design that.”

Bringing Art to the Classroom

Miss Brenda’s exciting work in The Arts has not dampened her enthusiasm for educating. At TNCS, she is Ms. Pozo’s assistant in one of the primary Montessori classrooms for children ages 3 to 6. In addition to her main responsibilities of “supporting teachers, supporting students, and maintaining an optimal classroom environment where students can grow their learning,” she collaborates with Montessori teachers to create educational materials, putting her digital art skills to practical use. “If you need something with Photoshop or Illustrator, I’m able to make it,” she says. “I helped make illustrated step-by-step instructional materials to help children learn how to read, for example.”

Her complementary roles have even deepened her appreciation for children’s content. “being in the classroom has exposed me to so many things that I now enjoy,” she reflects. “I really do love doing it, and it also pushes me more toward children’s content and animation . . . and maybe I’ll consider pursuing children’s books.”

Looking to the Future

Despite the animation industry’s current uncertainties following recent strikes, Miss Brenda maintains a balanced perspective. She appreciates the stability her teaching role provides while pursuing her animation career through remote work. Her days are long—she spends all day in the classroom then goes home to join remote meetings in L.A. and work on her art—“but this is where I enjoy being,” she says of her position at TNCS.

Miss Brenda’s passion for both education and art is evident in her interactions with students. “I’m passionate about what I do, and it brings me joy to be around the students. I hope that I can bring them some joy as well,” she shares. She particularly enjoys encouraging young artists, loving it when her budding student artists ask her for drawing and painting advice.

Making an Impact

Beyond her roles at TNCS and in animation, Miss Brenda continues her work with Black-n-Animated, which recently achieved nonprofit status. “We just had our first career summit in L.A. with really big industry names coming to talk to all of our people trying to break in,” she said. “I’m really excited about the new year!”

Whether she’s supporting young learners in the classroom or pushing creative boundaries in animation, Miss Brenda exemplifies how diverse passions can enrich both personal fulfillment and professional impact. Her presence in the primary Montessori program reflects TNCS’s commitment to nurturing creativity and bringing real-world artistic expertise into the classroom, enriching students’ early educational experiences.

12.06.24
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TNCS’s Preschool Division Flourishes Under Terriann Lane’s Leadership!

The New Century School‘s preschool division exemplifies the profound impact of authentic Montessori education under the guidance of Preschool Coordinator Terriann Lane. Now in her second year, Ms. Lane has orchestrated significant enhancements to both the physical environment and educational approach, creating spaces where young minds can truly thrive.

One of Ms. Lane’s primary achievements has been establishing consistency across classrooms while maintaining each teacher’s unique perspective. “When I joined the TNCS community, each preschool classroom was in their own bubble,” she reflects. “Now they’re visiting each other’s classrooms to observe how systems work. They’re collaborating and asking each other questions. There’s now a sense of community while striving to understand and implement the curriculum.”

“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.” Dr. Maria Montessori

This cohesion extends to the physical environment, where Ms. Lane has implemented substantial improvements. She explains:

One of the requests was to make sure that each classroom had furniture that matched. When you go into either classroom, they have the same types of shelves, same types of chairs, same types of tables, and that creates order, which is important in Montessori. Dr. Maria Montessori wrote that ‘…everything about a child should not only be in order, but that it should be proportioned to the child’s use, and that interest and concentration arise specifically from the elimination of what is confusing and superfluous.’

The preschool division currently encompasses three primary (ages 3–5 years) and three preprimary (starting at age 2) classrooms, each thoughtfully—and beautifully—equipped with materials that support the Montessori curriculum. Ms. Lane has ensured that “all of the curriculum areas are covered in every classroom,” with special attention paid to Practical Life activities—a cornerstone of Montessori early childhood education. “Practical Life work prepares the children to excel in other areas of curriculum, including Sensorial, Math, and Language by growing their sense of coordination, concentration, order, and independence,” she said.

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Innovation meets tradition in these spaces. A particularly creative solution was found for the second-floor classrooms that lacked working sinks. Ms. Lane introduced “Mighty Sinks,” a portable solution that enables essential Practical Life activities. “It has a working faucet, and you just fill it with water, dump the water, clean it, fill with water, and repeat,” she explains. “The children are now able to do their dishwashing and hand washing, cleaning up after art projects… they can use it for any work requiring water right in the classroom.”

The classrooms buzz with purposeful activity, particularly during mealtimes. Students actively participate in preparing for lunch, setting their own places, and engaging in what Ms. Lane calls “social learning.” Food preparation has become an integral part of the curriculum, with children learning practical skills like peeling oranges or cutting bananas—activities that build independence and fine motor skills.

For how to support your Montessori student at home, see the PowerPoint presentations from the TNCS Preprimary and Primary Workshop events held earlier this month:

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Most importantly, Ms. Lane notes signs of true Montessori “normalization,” in which children naturally follow classroom procedures and engage in work independently. The focus on community building is evident as students demonstrate care for their environment and each other. “If you walk into a classroom and see something on the floor, you pick it up. Or, someone falls down and bumps their knee on the table and you go over and ask how they’re doing and can I help you. Those moments reflect true community.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Lane envisions expanding the so-called “Cosmic curriculum”—Montessori’s integrated approach to cultural and political geography, life sciences, botany, and zoology. She emphasizes the importance of scientific observation in tracking student progress: “The Lead Teachers scientifically observe what the children are doing and then plan lessons for them to move forward through the curriculum.”

The teaching staff’s dedication to Montessori principles has been particularly noteworthy. “I’m proud of them for hearing me, trying it all, and now asking questions to strengthen their practice,” Ms. Lane shares. “In the beginning, they were just asking questions, and now they’re implementing what they’ve learned and are learning.”

Through careful attention to both the physical environment and pedagogical approach, TNCS’s preschool division continues to provide an authentic Montessori experience where children develop independence, community awareness, and a love for learning. Under Ms. Lane’s guidance, the school maintains its commitment to Dr. Montessori’s vision while adapting to meet the needs of today’s young learners.

11.01.24
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TNCS’S Annual Character Dress-Up Parade!

One of The New Century School‘s longest standing traditions, the Annual Character Dress-Up Parade around the Fell’s Point neighborhood never fails to delight. But this year, TNCS Head of School Ann Marie Simonetti put her own special spin on it. On Thursday, October 31st, TNCS older students took TNCS younger students literally by the hand and led them lovingly along the parade route. Ms. Simonetti said, “Pairing middle schoolers with preschoolers in this year’s ‘Parade of Characters’ provided a safe, supportive experience for our youngest students and a valuable leadership opportunity for our older ones—building connection and community across all ages.”

As in years past, faculty and staff joined in the fun, showing their own creative sides! If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, anyone?

Without further ado, all hail, ye Maleficents, Harry Potters, Very Hungry Caterpillars, and Thomas the Trains! Go forth and conquer, ye firefighters, princesses, witches, fairies, and superheroes! Bag your treats, ye Jack Skellingtons, Beetlejuices, Minions, Monarch Butterflies, and Mutant Ninja Turtles!

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We can just imagine, as TNCS students headed home after school, possibly to more trick-or-treating, minds brimming with the excitement of the day, how they recounted their favorite moments to parents and siblings, maybe even as they recited lines from the books and movies they adore. During Halloween at TNCS, every costume tells a story and every child is a hero in their own tale.