by Monarch Academy | Sep 28, 2022 | Events, News
ANNAPOLIS, MD, September 28, 2022 – Anne Arundel County Public Schools School Counselor Nikki Pritchett-Johnson, who provides counseling services for The Children’s Guild Monarch Academy Annapolis, wrote and published her first children’s book Purposed Through Joy. With the mental health challenges facing many children post-pandemic, Purposed Through Joy is being released at the perfect time to help teach children to have a resilient attitude, while equipping parents and teachers with insightful tools to inspire kids of all ages to keep their joy.
The 30-page book for children of all ages is focused on Grace who questions her purpose for the day. A mountain of problems crowds Grace’s heart and mind stealing her very joy and causes her to question, “What is my purpose for today?” This charming story reminds children to never let the cares and concerns of the day rob them of the strength they need to succeed. With the support of her Nana, Grace learns to toss her heavy loads aside and get her joy back!
“I look forward to sharing my new book with our 5th graders during Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 2-8). I published this children’s book during my service as School Counselor at Monarch Academy Annapolis as I came to love the foundational beliefs that drive the many intentional things that the Children’s Guild puts forth to educate the minds and hearts of children. I’ve always lived by the ‘Educate th
e Heart’ quote by Aristotle and working at TCG’s Monarch Academy Annapolis has reminded me that there are still educators that believe in the power of educating ‘the mind AND THE HEART’,” explained author Nikki Pritchett-Johnson. “It is truly my goal to get a copy of this book into the hands of all teachers in our system. I want our scholars across this county to know that social-emotional wellness is a PROACTIVE practice and not reactive. Preparing our scholars with skills to problem solve; self-love; and cope with the cares of life is key.”
by Monarch Academy | Sep 6, 2022 | News
ANNAPOLIS, MD, September 6, 2022 – The Children’s Guild is pleased to announce that Monarch Academy Annapolis has received the official International Baccalaureate (IB) authorization for the Primary Years Program (PYP). The school administration, now under the leadership of Acting Principal Shae Johnson, has been working towards this prestigious designation for several years. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision.
The IB Primary Years Program (PYP) for children aged 3 – 12 nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. The PYP offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. It reflects the best of educational research, thought leadership, and experience derived from IB World Schools.
“We are thrilled to announce that Monarch Academy Annapolis was officially authorized as an IB school in July. This world-renowned prestigious program allows our young primary year students to explore more and experience our play-based classrooms,” said Johnson. “For any new Pre-K students coming into our school, this program allows our students to expand, think deeper and be able to explain what they are working on. We are extremely excited to be authorized and look forward to a wonderful year to continue to grow with our primary years program.”
The PYP curriculum framework begins with the premise that students are agents of their own learning and partners in the learning process. It prioritizes people and their relationships to build a strong learning community. PYP students use their initiative to take responsibility and ownership of their learning. By learning through inquiry and reflecting on their own learning, PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and the attributes of the IB Learner profile to make a difference in their own lives, their communities, and beyond. Embedded in the framework is the recognition of the importance of fostering an individual’s self-efficacy. Students with a strong sense of self-efficacy are active in their own learning and take action in their learning community.
Mr. Johnson, who has been instrumental in securing the IB designation was recently appointed Acting Principal of the Monarch Academy Annapolis, a part of The Children’s Guild, by The Anne Arundel County Public School District. Mr. Johnson is an accomplished and energetic school administrator with 17+ years’ experience in both public and private, elementary, middle, and secondary schools providing outstanding leadership and a culture of value and integrity. He will be the first acting principal of color since the school’s inception.
“Shae was instrumental in leading the effort to receive the IB designation for the school. We congratulate him and are thrilled that Anne Arundel County has appointed him to lead Monarch Academy Annapolis,” said Jenny Livelli, President and CEO of The Children’s Guild. “We are confident in Shae’s abilities to implement effective strategy and programs, transform the school’s culture, and respond to the unique needs of every child, family and the entire community.”
“I am grateful to Anne Arundel County Public Schools for having the trust in me to lead Monarch Academy Annapolis, especially the new IB PYP program during this upcoming school year,” added Mr. Johnson.
Monarch Academy Annapolis is part of The Children’s Guild’s schools and programs which respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
