Grace Montessori School’s education encourages students to embrace their individuality and make creative choices in their learning. For Amelia Tuerk, her journey is filled with self-directed creativity, a foundation that she acquired as a Grace Montessori student. Amelia is currently a senior at Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts in Bethlehem.
Q: When did you attend Grace Montessori?
A: I attended Grace Montessori from preschool through third grade.
Q: What is a favorite memory from your time at Grace Montessori?
A: My favorite memory at Grace Montessori would be the activity we use to call rice work. I loved the independence we felt preparing our own food at such a young age. It allowed me to build strong relationships with my teachers outside of the classroom because to me, they were more than just teachers, they were family.
Q: How did your experience at Grace Montessori help you in your current academic career?
A: My experience at Grace Montessori helped form my journaling and writing skills at a very young age. I remember taking a trip to Panama when I was five, and I wrote and illustrated my experiences in a journal every day. We still have it. It helped me establish a writing ethic that I’ve carried with me ever since.
Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of was the opportunity to participate in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) competition in the 8th grade where I received a perfect score against students from across the region. During my high school career, I’ve become a member of the National Honor Society and the co-chair for poetry readings at The Lodge through my high school. When COVID-19 hit, I started an online literary journal to continue my passion for writing.
Last year, I received a full-tuition scholarship to Washington College, where I’ll be studying environmental science and creative writing in the fall. I owe my accomplishments to my natural intellectual curiosity, powerful planning and organizational skills, and ability to work well with friends and colleagues.
Q: What goals do you have for the future, and what motivates you?
A: My goal is to see the world, and work in nature. I owe my motivation to people from all backgrounds and having the opportunity to work alongside them.
