Elizabeth Academy is the brainchild of many people, but it was inspired by only one. This child, Lauren Elizabeth Williamsen, was born October 17, 2003. She is the catalyst for this endeavor. She will not be the only beneficiary.
Lauren is the last of seven children born to Thom and Gail Williamsen. She has Down syndrome. Thom and Gail have seven children whose abilities are diverse. Just older than Lauren is her sister Emma, who is a typically developing, delightfully creative child. Watching the interaction and development of these last two children has given their parents a perspective few have the privilege to know. All, including Emma, are more rich for the association. This situation has also provided an understanding of the desperate need for quality early intervention so lacking in public schools and all but unavailable in the private sector. We intend to remedy that.
It was felt that Lauren deserved a middle name that garnered respect. And so, Elizabeth. The Elizabeth Academy is dedicated to this principle. All children are unique. All have gifts. All children deserve respect. Given that, imagine the possibilities.
Understanding the importance of language and communication (the seed and sustenance of all intelligence) and realizing Lauren’s lack in this area, Gail enrolled her in extensive speech therapy. She discussed with Maria Gurrister at Wasatch Speech and Language, the idea of implementing subtle social communication therapy in a classroom setting. Here, gentle assists could be given among peers – where the desire to communicate would be greatest and the natural incentive of peer interaction and the reward of social engagement would fuel her desire to speak. At the same time, this enriching inclusive classroom environment would be integration into a society where typical peers would have the privilege of truly knowing her just as she would realize an opportunity to know and mingle respectfully among them. Maria and Gail looked at each other and said; we need a school. ALL children deserve this.
Thom and Gail applied for and were granted tax-exempt status for this private school in April of 2008. The Elizabeth Academy was born. Immediately following tax-exempt approval, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation provided initial start up funding for the Elizabeth Academy with a significant grant.
After researching alternatives in curriculum, the most delightful surprise came with the discovery that the Montessori Method was so adaptable to various learning types and all levels of need. Typical and gifted children could also thrive at their own individual pace. With Montessori’s focus on the individual, multi-age grouping and peer mentoring, the classroom could be a microcosm of the diversity we all find in the real world, a world in which we all strive for personal excellence but share a sense of contribution and belonging. Conflict resolution, naturally a part of the Montessori curriculum, is enhanced with the diversity found in the inclusive environment with all children receiving the benefits of this social development and exposure at an early age.
The Montessori Method was the natural and obvious choice for curriculum. This led us to director of teacher training, Nancy Lindeman, who began initial teacher training in the summer of 2008. The Elizabeth Academy began to be. We opened our doors on Myrtle Avenue in Murray to the first class of students in the Fall of 2009. And the rest? - will be history...
