Bristow Montessori School Connects with Absent Teacher Across Atlantic

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Children learn in school that the pilgrims spent several months traversing the Atlantic Ocean from the England to the New World.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, children in the first through third grade class in Bristow Montessori School Skyped with their ailing teacher Anita Ercole, while she was in London preparing for surgery.

“In some cases [Ms. Anita] has been their teacher for a number of years, so we wanted to make sure the bond stays intact,” said Rebecca Maguire Director of Admissions for Bristow Montessori School.

Maguire arranged the Skyping session between Ercole and her students on the same day the children spent the early afternoon eating a Thanksgiving feast prepared by parents. Before they sat down to eat turkey, stuffing and vegetables, they were able to say hello to their teacher.

Maguire said the experience was as much for Ercole as it was for the children. As she has been gone for ten days, Maguire said she believes it has been difficult for her not seeing them.

“She’s so focused on the kids and she’s just a phenomenal teacher. They really lucky to have her,” Maguire said, explaining how Ercole did not want to leave the children; however, going to England for medical treatment had became a necessity.

While Ercole was Skyping with the students, she said hello to everyone and asked them how they were doing. She said she missed them, and told them to have a happy Thanksgiving.

The children said they were excited to talk with their teacher as well and they considered it a special treat along with their Thanksgiving party. Some children, who had learned about England, said it was cool to talk to their teacher who was all the way across the ocean.

For the most part the children were cheerful,and focused on their party, but parents knew that they were fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher, who thought of her students even during such a trying time in her own life.

“She’s a wonderful educator and a very nice person,” said father Craig Pearson, “I think all the children love her.”

The staff at Bristow Montessori could not say enough about how great Ercole is.

“She’s been here from the beginning. She is part of the school,” said Bristow Montessori Director Lola Pavlovic . “She’s been my mentor and the teacher of my own children.

Staff and parents at Bristow Montessori all wished that Erocole gets better and comes home soon.

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