We spotlight each of our Eighth graders and ask them to reflect on their Middle School experiences and share some of the highlights and what they are most proud of.
Meet Maya Rafalovsky
What is one of your favorite highlights from the middle school program?
One of my favorite highlights and memories from the middle school program was the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) trip in seventh grade. At PMonts, we have numerous opportunities to participate in exciting experiences, such as the annual ski trip, the Spain trip, MMUN, visits to museums, and many more. Among all of these trips, MMUN stands out as one of the most memorable. I had the chance to walk around New York City with my friends and teachers, exploring the city while participating in formal conferences where I defended my country, Azerbaijan. This experience not only helped me develop important skills in public speaking and diplomacy but also allowed me to form a closer bond with one of my teachers. The trip played a big role in strengthening our teacher-student relationship, and I’ll always cherish the memories of those conversations and moments shared throughout the trip.
When I first approached the new environment, I was scared that I would fail. I knew I would have to present my speech, which I had written in the months leading up to the event, to over seventy-five people in my conference room. I was anxious about not doing well, but I pushed through the fear and persevered. In the end, I was proud of how I performed, especially knowing I was the first person to speak! Along with the nerve-wracking moments, there were also times when I felt excited and lucky. It was fascinating to enter the real UN building and sit in the very seats that UN Delegates and Representatives use. I also enjoyed going to one of the ice cream shops in Times Square with my peers. It was fun interacting with them, sharing our experiences from the conferences, and making lasting memories outside of the formal sessions.
Furthermore, I had the best time in Spain. I bonded with classmates and teachers and experienced new and exciting things. I tried new foods, played bubble soccer, went glamping, and participated in many other fun activities. I also spoke with locals to practice my Spanish and explored historical sites where I learned a lot. Before the trip, I wasn’t excited; I thought I would be homesick and that the entire trip would be ruined. However, even during the flight there, I began to realize that my worries were unnecessary and would only hold me back from enjoying the experience. I will forever cherish these memories and hope that future students will have just as amazing a time as I did!
What skill(s) did you develop thanks to your Montessori/IB education that you are most proud of?
A skill I’ve developed the most, thanks to my Montessori/IB education, and one I am most proud of, is my ability to keep trying and striving to improve. One situation where I demonstrated this skill was in my science class. Throughout my life, I’ve always leaned more towards arts and humanities classes rather than STEM subjects, so science has never been a strong point for me academically. However, the recent science unit gave me a boost of confidence. In the past, I viewed science class as a space full of lab experiments and mathematical equations, and I never thought I could write reports and analyze data from past labs. But in this unit, I was asked to write a report. It was a challenge, but I realized I could approach it like a Language and Literature assignment rather than a traditional science task, which helped me stay focused and calm. While I don’t aspire to become a scientist, I gave it my best effort. In the end, I accomplished something I’m really proud of. I kept trying when it was tough, asked questions to guide me along the way, and pushed through until I succeeded!
What will you miss the most after you graduate from PMonts?
Because the middle school is such a tight-knit community, the teachers provide ample support and personalized learning for each student. You don’t see that in many other middle schools. I will miss this sense of community after I graduate from PMonts. The structured learning style and the help the teachers provide are incomparable to any educational support I have received before. This support has helped me stay organized, plan effectively, maintain balance, and get the most out of the information I receive in class. I will also miss the teachers. Over the past three years in middle school, I’ve built special connections with each of them. We’ve had in-depth conversations and debates, ranging from topics discussed in class to real-world situations. I even went shopping with one of my teachers, which was a new and unexpected experience that I will never forget. Teacher-student relationships truly leave a lasting mark. I will never forget all that I have learned here over the past years at Princeton Montessori School, a truly unforgettable experience.
