Today was the last day of the teacher training course for a group of adults studying to be early childhood teachers. It was also the last day of the visit by the on-site evaluation team who were in charge of determining whether the training course would be re-accredited. Then toward the end of the day, my daughter and her family arrived from Massachusetts.

So I’m sitting back, just beginning to comprehend the import of what I have just experienced. The re-accreditation process was grueling, but not as bad as I thought it might be. The three-person team who handled the visit was wonderfully supportive. They interviewed every student in the current course, several students who have graduated, administrators who have hired graduates and even the trustees of the organization.

They were truly impressed with what they saw. The final report they gave to all of us was glowing in its review of our program and helpful in its recommendations for future improvement. Two things in this process stand out for me. During their interview of me as the director of the program and instructor, one of the team members asked, “What drives you?”

I hardly had to think before answering. I’ve reflected on that often enough. I told her that even at my age I have so much yet to give. When I think of new Montessorians coming into the field, I know that I can share much of my experience with them to help them become better Montessori teachers. And then they can go out into their classrooms and help more children than I could teach in my life-time. I consider teaching my mission in life. Montessori would consider it my cosmic task.

So, this evening I finally got to review the student evaluations of the course. There were several positive comments from students about how much they had learned. But the most important message coming through the evaluations was that my adult students were “inspired.” There is nothing that could have affirmed that I am fulfilling my cosmic task better.

A second session for a different group of adults starts in a week. I hope that those students will be equally inspired.

Carl and I went over to school this morning to get the desks ready for the adults who will be descending upon the classroom on Monday. The floors are shiny and bright, the bathrooms are clean, and even the kitchen is straightened. Summer is such a different time!

But as I was arranging the big desks, I heard a tiny squeaking from the direction of the gerbil cage. What a surprise. Pinky had given birth to two little babies. I wish she had blessed us with this event while school was still in session, but alas, she probably waited until all was quiet! Gerbils have the ability to conceive, but “hold” development of the babies until conditions are favorable. I have a feeling that Pinky prefers the quiet of the summer classroom to all those many little faces peering in the cage for birthing a family.

Pinky’s event will off-set the demise of Smokey in the other room. Smokey died shortly after school was over. Britton e-mailed me while I was gone to let me know that she wasn’t doing very well.

The cycles of life and death go on, even when school is out.

There was a board meeting of the Middle School tonight. After everyone but Carl and me had left, I looked around the school and really took note of how different it looked. Desks moved to odd places, cabinets pushed up against the walls so the floors could be waxed, tables turned on end to allow more floor space for waxing. I apologized to folks for the condition of the school, but it felt, well, weird.

We are usually so conscientious about keeping everything neat and tidy for the children, but with them gone, we can get down and dirty and do all the hard maintenance that cannot be done during the regular year.

I got a sweet letter from one of the students the other day. She was sending a thank you for the past year (and also expressing that she misses school). I felt guilty for I have several thank you letters to write that I have not gotten to yet. But, oh, how nice to hear that voice through the written letter, and in beautiful cursive, too!

I had a great meeting with Georgi Schmitt today. She will be teaching Orff music to the children next year. This is very exciting for me since I have wanted to do this ever since we had had Georgi do an Orff workshop for teachers many years ago. I now have a comprehensive list of musical instruments to buy before school starts. That sounds like great fun.

The teacher training curses start on Monday. Thinking back to how the school looked tonight, I know I have my work cut out for me before the adult students arrive. They must walk into an environment that sets an example for them when they set up their own classrooms. Oh boy. I better get some sleep tonight so I will be ready to roll tomorrow.