Teacher Leader Story
A Freedom Dream Realized
Micah's dream started at Lincoln University (first Degree granting HBCU) and grew at the Surge Institute, a leadership accelerator dedicated to empowering educators of color. During his time at Surge, he collaborated on a visionary project called their "freedom dream," driven by his passion for transforming education. He, imagined creating a space that was both gender specific, inclusive, and innovative, where all students—especially Black and Brown children—could thrive. This vision inspired the founding of Our Sun Montessori School, a place where the dream would become reality. As the first Black co-freedom dream leader to collaborate on a project through Surge, Micah and his partner achieved what no others had done before, making their dream a reality in just one year. The commitment to building an educational space continues and is rooted in equity and empowerment continues to inspire the future of Our Sun Montessori.
Micah's Background
Micah's journey into education was fueled by a deep commitment to social justice, mentorship, and a passion for working with young children. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Primary, Secondary, college age scholars, and educational non-profit leadership Micah found the traditional system too rigid and sought to create a more flexible and nurturing educational environment.
Vision of Our School
Our Sun Montessori School aims to be a place that is brave, healthy, and safe, providing trauma-informed care and full wrap-around supports. We are dedicated to offering comprehensive services, including workforce development for families and teacher pipeline programs, to build a robust educational and professional community.
Inspiration and Vision
Micah was drawn to the Wildflower School model because of its hands-on approach, emphasis on primary education, and accessibility. He appreciated the model's flexibility and the freedom it offers educators and students. The foundation of Montessori principles, combined with a deep connection to African culture, resonated with their vision of creating a truly inclusive and empowering educational environment. The idea of providing true options and fostering an environment where children can thrive excited them. Coming from the charter world, they found the rigidity limiting and saw the Wildflower model as a way to offer a more dynamic and responsive educational experience.
Long-term Goals and Vision
Initial Program: Our Sun Montessori will begin with a program for children aged 3-6. Over time, they plan to expand to include a toddler program and an elementary program. Additionally, they aim to offer wrap-around services to support the whole family, recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to education.
Scaling the Model: Their long-term vision includes scaling the model to reach multiple communities in need of similar educational opportunities. Building a teacher/leader pipeline for black/BIPOC educators by becoming a Montessori Certification site and implementing a Montessori teacher/leader Fellow. The fellowship would train practitioners in Montessori education towards their certification through a cultural responsive lense, support classroom instruction implementation, and leadership development to open their own charter. We are committed to not only giving back to our own community but also extending impact to other communities through high quality learning institutions.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions
Fundraising: Fundraising is a significant challenge, but Micah is committed to learning and navigating the process to secure the necessary resources.
Community Engagement: Educating community members and parents about school choice and Montessori education for liberation is another challenge. They plan to address this by emphasizing the value of holistic education and demonstrating that success is not solely measured by test scores, but by the overall well-being and development of the child and family. They will draw on their experiences with organizations like the Department of Environmental Justice, City Council, School District, Local CDC, local providers, religious groups, and other trusted community organizations to build a supportive and understanding community.
Our Sun Montessori School Stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in Greater Philaelphia, aiming to provide high-quality, inclusive education while fostering a supportive community environment. Micah and Isaiah's journey from the Surge Institute to founding this school exemplifies their commitment to transforming education for the betterment of all.