CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mountaineer Montessori teacher Suzanne Sanders has traveled to or lived in Costa Rica, Colorado, Machu Picchu and Europe. Combine that adventurous nature with her love of hiking, kayaking and all things outdoors. Now put her on top of a Pendleton County mountain with 22 elementary students for a two-night excursion and she's found her own slice of Almost Heaven.

Sanders and fellow teacher Nancy Johnston took their Advanced Elementary students, ages 9 through 12, on a learning weekend in conjunction with The Mountain Institute as part of the Institute's Mountain Learning course.

"In addition to being completely immersed in the great outdoors, field-based programs allow the students to work together to care for themselves and the group," the institute's website explains.

"With guidance and assistance from the instructors, the students cook meals, live in tents, and participate in group learning activities."

Sanders grew up in Lancaster, Pa., and graduated from Penn State University. She was on the track team in college, eventually landing a scholarship in her senior year thanks to her hard work and dedication. She worked selling computer software following a move to Boulder, Colo., and her territory was everything west of the Mississippi River.

Weary of being a traveling salesman, Saunders and her former husband sold everything they owned, packed up a pickup truck and drove to Costa Rica. That's where their son, Sebastian Jack Sanders, now 15, was born in a private birthing clinic.

Jack was the impetus for her interest in the Montessori method of teaching. She joked that his high energy led to him being kicked out of several day cares before they landed on the child-centered philosophy originated by Dr. Maria Montessori. Following many weeks of training, she became a certified Montessori teacher and eventually ended up in Charleston, teaching at Mountaineer Montessori.

The "whole child" educational methods led Sanders to that mountaintop near Spruce Knob. With help from The Mountain Institute, Sanders and Johnston took their 22 students in the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year programs on a weekend of team building, developing social and emotional skills.

"These students are very social, they are trying to determine what is right, what is wrong, who are the leaders at this age," Sanders said. "I really wanted to get them out into nature. During the first two weeks of school, we don't do much academic work at all. We work on team building. They learn to trust each other."

In Montessori school, there are no grade levels or grades given for work. Sanders does not give the students homework, except for one vocabulary-building lesson that isn't in the typical Montessori curriculum. But on their mountain trek, they learned things that could never be taught in a classroom.

"They set up their tents, they dug the ditch for the latrine, they even bushwhacked to the top of Spruce Knob," Sanders said. "They carried everything they needed in their backpacks about a mile from where they were dropped off. It was amazing. For some of them, it was learning how to leave home for the night."

Five employees of The Mountain Institute helped with all aspects of the learning experience. They had the tents at the site prior to the children's arrival, and helped the students set up camp.

Throughout the weekend, students did stream studies, learned orienteering using GPS and maps, and cooked all of their own food.

"The Mountain Institute put them to work. They might be a part of the cooking crew, or the go-out-and-get-wood crew," Sanders said. "And they taught the children that we do not waste food, telling them they should only put on your plate what you think you can eat."

The Mountain Institute does a pre-trip visit to the school, meeting with parents and students. They tell them what to expect, what to pack, and what the students will learn. This year's trip is planned for later in the fall than last year's trip, so they will be in cabins at Canaan.

Sanders praised the parents at Mountaineer Montessori for their support and enthusiasm, both in giving their time and financially supporting the mountain trip and other adventures.

Back in the classroom, Sanders carries the nature-themed lessons throughout the school year. She's studied with an herbalist and creates teas, remedies and tinctures from nature.

"I also work with flower essences," she said, "that work with the emotional part of healing." She raises bees and lives with her son, a dog and two cats in South Hills. Jack is a sophomore at George Washington High School where he plays soccer, runs track and cross-country.

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.