Springmont Expands Outdoor Learning Opportunities For Students

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Sandy Springs-based Springmont recently increased its outdoor learning opportunities for students ages 18 months through 14 years and also hired Thomson Chuites as its outdoor education teacher.

The outdoor environment is a natural extension of the classroom at Springmont. In the open-air classrooms, Springmont students will build on their knowledge of hydrology, biology and the environmental sciences through hands-on campus walks and explorations in the natural world.

They also will learn care for animals and the Long Island watershed. With Chuites at the helm of the program, he will foster Creek Kids, Hands on Horses and other collaborations with non-profits that promote social interactions, friendships, care for living things and the environment for both students and parents.

“From hiking the campus, observing nature with toddlers, enhancing outdoor gardens in elementary and implementing sustainable land management techniques in middle school, Thomson is showing our students how to become more aware of nature and their impact on it,” said Springmont Head of School Jerri King. “Through these programs, our students are better able to understand the needs of the world around them and how they can make a difference.”

Chuites studied at the University of Georgia. After graduating, he traveled to France to participate in an English language assistantship sponsored by the French embassy.

Upon returning to the states, he worked in montessori schools, first as an elementary assistant, then as a lead guide. He completed AMI elementary training over three summers in Dublin, Ireland, at the Montessori College Dublin.

Chuites joins Springmont from the Sunstone Montessori School in Portland, Oregon.

---

Photo: Springmont Outdoor Education Teacher Thomson Chuites (back) and Lower Elementary Student Logan Chadwick, son of Graciela and Jeff Chadwick, clean the Long Island watershed as part of a new program at Springmont called Creek Kids. The mission of the program is to care for living things and the environment while also making friends. Credit: Springmont