The Great Blue Heron
As we shift from one year to the next, it is important to remember that our children are experiencing a lot of change in a short span of time. Our Upper Elementary Program shifts to fit the needs of your child as well. Why the Great Blue Heron?
“According to North American Native tradition, the Blue Heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent the ability to progress and evolve. The long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn’t need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one’s own.”
Students in the Upper Elementary program reflect the meaning of this message and aligns with the second plane of development in Montessori philosophy.
Lead Guide: Mrs. Sandy McCoy 
Originally from Orlando, Florida, Sandy graduated from the University of Central Florida (“Go Knights!”) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Anthropology in 2008. Soon after graduating she decided to go into education and taught 8th grade Science for 8 years in the Orange County Public Schools. In 2017, Sandy and Ryan, her husband, and their two children Roland (6 years) and Stella (3 years), moved to Key West. This is also when she stumbled upon May Sands Montessori school and fell in love with our school and the philosophy of Montessori education. This exciting new discovery started her on a journey – she became an Upper Elementary Lead Guide for our school and completed her Montessori Elementary I & II credentials from the American Montessori Society in the summer of 2019.