Middle School Program
(7th to 8th grade)
Overview
“Except for the first three years of life, there is no other time where growth is so noticeable, varied, and significant.”
Adolescence entails a rapid physical and mental change expending much creative energy. At this time the social self emerges, not fully mature. His is an examination of social usefulness in the profoundest sense - the desire to contribute to human progress. It is a time to develop confidence and dignity; what Dr. Montessori called - faith in God and faith in oneself approaching the problems of love, occupation, and human cooperation. The adolescent’s overarching question is: who am I and how do I integrate into the larger picture of life.
Epstein, Paul; Seldin Tim. (2003). The Montessori Way: An Education for Life. The Montessori Foundation.
Academic Curriculum
The Montessori School of Anderson provides a challenging environment that meets the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of the adolescent student. Middle School students explore an multidisciplinary and integrated curriculum in a multiage setting as they prepare themselves to make the transition into high school. Teachers serve as guides as the students investigate history, geography, world cultures, literature, writing, mathematics, physical and life sciences, music, art, wellness, a second language, digital literacy, coding, and digital media content creation.
The course of study utilizes a combination of textbooks, hands-on activities, digital resources, and personal experiences. The curriculum and instruction are designed as a two-year program. Students prepare in advance for participation in the next day’s class, as well as maintain notes from classroom lectures, discussions, and activities. They also participate in weekly community service projects (on and off campus), field trips, and on campus seminars to enhance their academic studies. As a result, students learn valuable life skills, including time management, independence, critical thinking, cooperation, and communication.
Meet our faculty and staff
Jenna Patch
MS Coordinator, PE/Horticulture
Coart Ramey
English and History
Tiffany Wilmoth
HS Coordinator, Math and Science
Tiffany Wilmoth is the high school coordinator and teaches math and science in the middle and high schools. Dr. Wilmoth has a background in science and has been with MSA since 2021. She believes each day is a new opportunity to inspire critical thinking, spark curiosity, and ignite a passion for discovery. She enjoys teaching concepts in a relevant and hands-on manner as to empower the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
Matt Dabney
Technology Coordinator, Technology Teacher
Mr. Dabney graduated from Clemson University with a BS and MS degree in Computer Science. As a graduate assistant, he was a member of the systems staff that managed the computing systems in the computer science building at Clemson. He has taught several summer programming and technology camps at locations around the Upstate, most recently each summer at MSA. He teaches technology to students in upper elementary through high school and yearbook. He loves having the opportunity to teach lessons about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) with the primary risers. He also serves as the school's technology coordinator.
Katherine Rose
Lower-Middle School Art & Fiber Arts, Upper Elementary Assistant
Ms. Rose graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts; her emphasis areas were painting and photography. Her education experience includes math intervention, computer lab teacher, and kindergarten paraprofessional prior to joining the MSA community in 2023. She currently teaches art and fiber art to students from primary through high school. She also serves as a part-time assistant in upper elementary.
Jared Trudel
Music
Mr. Jared began teaching music at MSA in 2022. He is a father, musician, teacher, and the owner of Trudel Music Studio in Clemson. He has been teaching music for over 14 years and is passionate about music and using its power to spark joy, develop children, and transform lives. Mr. Jared studied music and business in his undergraduate program at Indiana Wesleyan University, and received Kindermusik certification in 2020 and Suzuki violin certification in 2023. Jared lives in Pendleton, South Carolina with his wife, two kids, dog, and cat.
Kelly Wickiser
Spanish
Sra. Wickiser is from Costa Rica. She has lived in the USA since 2005 and became a citizen in 2017. She is the mother of 3 children and the grandmother of four beautiful grandchildren. She has been a Spanish teacher since 2011. With over 13 years of experience teaching high school programs and over 4 years teaching lower levels, her expertise prepares students who want to compete for the NSE (National Spanish Examination) and Seal of Biliteracy, a very prestigious seal stamped on the High School Diploma. She is known for encouraging and motivating students to speak the target languages and her dedication to continuous learning. Sra. Wickiser trains every year with the South Carolina Department of Education: World Languages department, and she is currently training with the Cervantes University of Spain to get her International Teaching Certification. She is also a member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). In addition to her professional work, she is passionate about outdoor activities, holistic health and nutrition approaches, sewing, and knitting.