At Switzer Mesa, classrooms from Upper Pod are paired with a Lower Pod classroom as buddy classes. The intent is to have a mentoring relationship to foster a sense of camaraderie and move the Montessori philosophy beyond our individual classrooms and into our small campus community. On a recent Friday morning, A1 students and their B2 buddies met for the first time when the Upper Pod came down to read to Lower Pod students. I’m sure everyone was a bit nervous at first, but as you can tell from these engaged learners and big smiles, they eased into their roles just fine!