## “We had a Dream” ### A short history of the Chiang Rai Montessori School *By Peter Kilmarx, School Board President, and Melanie Kilmarx, Secretary* “Where are we going to send our children to school?” This question energized us, both Thai and international parents when we got together. Some were looking for English-language instruction, some wanted more than traditional rote education, and some knew they wanted the best quality education possible for their children. A dream started to become more real when Willem van Benthum, founder of the International Montessori School of Phuket, came to Chiang Rai in July 1998. A mutual friend, Jean, invited Melanie Kilmarx to meet for dinner as he heard she was interested in quality education. Willem inspired confidence as he shared his school-building experience. Opened only a year then, the Phuket Montessori School was quite successful. This child-centered approach to education was fairly new to Thailand, but most parents seemed to embrace the concept. Melanie asked Willem to help. He said he would. Dinner ended. Momentum began. Interest grew and after several small family gatherings in living rooms, we advertised and had a formal gathering at the Wiang Inn Hotel in August 1998. About 60 people came to this event, and a core group of about 10 people emerged to form the founding committee of the school. Melanie and Willem, once the engines that motivated the process began to have support. Organizational meetings, at least once a week, brought us together at the AUA campus. We clarified our mission: to provide high-quality, affordable education cultivating children's potential for the lifelong joy of learning. Out of this declaration, the next steps presented themselves. People began to take action. The commitment was born into others. The dream began to unfold into reality a bit more each day. As is often the case, when one commits to something, the universe provides and people and resources appear. Bill Hallinan, a local businessman, and philanthropist overheard a meeting at his restaurant, Won Ton Suki, in November 1998. He decided then and there to give us a generous donation to help get the school started. His initial support was the critical factor that energized the school to open in just 9 short months. Visit Wangwinyoo, an Internet acquaintance came to a school meeting in late 1998 and stayed on to offer his experience and networking skills as the first headmaster. Two other board members who are not school parents deserve special mention: Bruce Kennedy, a retired UNICEF program officer, magically materialized to bring his solid administrative and accounting skills to bear; and Pattana Sittisombat shouldered responsibility for the school when licensing and renting issues came up with no profit or financial reward to himself. The new school community members offered essential support: Thea and Frits Sjoerdsma, Keanu’s grandparents, collected Montessori classroom materials from their local Dutch schools and arranged shipping to the school, the International Montessori School of Phuket helped with the initial training of our wonderful Thai teacher Nita Bhatiasevi. Many individual contributions and donations, too numerous to relay here, made a huge difference. In every instance, people stretched beyond themselves to help create this community and a brighter future for our children. The future is bright. It all started with a dream… So, welcome to the history of Chiang Rai Montessori School. It has become Piti Suksa School and I am proud to have been part of the start of this fine school. Melanie Carlone Eugeen Oregon --- 1. Source: [https://www.facebook.com/pitisuksaMontessoriChiangrai/posts/we-had-a-dreama-short-history-of-the-chiang-rai-montessori-schoolby-peter-kilmar/386276581444739/](https://www.facebook.com/pitisuksaMontessoriChiangrai/posts/we-had-a-dreama-short-history-of-the-chiang-rai-montessori-schoolby-peter-kilmar/386276581444739/) 2. Archive: