Our mission at The T.E.C. Schools is to “Prepare Students for Life.”

Our Middle School students not only perform exceptionally well in academic areas but also achieve a great sense of purpose through the work of their heart. Maria Montessori believed that adolescents develop a sense of worthiness by applying their skills to the betterment of their community. At T.E.C., we encourage students to take leadership roles so that they can participate meaningfully in real life activities. Our adolescents lead projects that impact the community in positive ways.

Bill was featured in Worcester Telegram and Gazette for his leadership skills. Bill has been taking dance lessons at his grandmother’s studio since childhood and is passionate about the arts. When Jo Ann Warren, his grandmother, offered to coordinate the play, Bill jumped in with great enthusiasm. Since his T.E.C. journey began six years ago in second grade, Bill has developed strong organization skills and is very dependable. He is capable of maintaining schedules and materials to get his work done. He also learned many technical skills through a variety of Capstone and STEAMFaire projects. He was able to use his strengths to record music, help with the script, coordinate practices and communicate with various teachers to help Jo Ann. It was common to see him walking purposefully from classroom to classroom, informing students, brainstorming with Mr. Brownlow, chatting with Jo Ann, hustling on the stage to ensure that props and backdrops were in place. No teacher assigned him this project, no teacher tracked his progress. Bill drove the initiative himself. What motivated him? It was Bill’s sense of belonging and self-worth that motivated him to lead his schoolmates through this journey. 

In the fall, sensing a need for a music teacher, Jo Ann Warren offered to help us with the Holiday Concert. Students loved her exuberant and joyful presence. They sang spontaneously in the classrooms, hallways, lunch room and at recess! Our school was full of life with music! We are delighted to partner with Jo Ann Warren Studios during the school year as well as in the summer. Students will have the opportunity to practice dance and movement activities in our summer program.

Jo Ann has led an illustrious career in Worcester impacting many dance enthusiasts over the past forty years. It is a gift to have her work with our students. Many of our students are pictured in the article. Jo Ann knows every student by name and takes great efforts to work with them individually. 

We look forward to working with Bill’s mother. Although Bill will graduate from our Middle School program this week, he has promised to return to T.E.C. to work with the students in the future with Jo Ann. On Thursday, May 30th, Mayor Joe Petty will join us at the Night of the Arts to award Jo Ann with a Key to the City in recognition of her contributions to the city of Worcester. How wonderful it is to be a part of this important milestone in Jo Ann’s life! And how wonderful is it for Bill to walk in his grandma’s shoes as he begins his participation in the community that he loves!