At Sammamish Montessori School in Redmond, civic education came to life when Washington State Representative Osman Salahuddin (LD-48), who represents Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland, spent an afternoon with students as part of the school’s Leaders Club initiative.
Representative Salahuddin, a proud Redmond native and alumnus of Emily Dickinson Elementary School, returned to the community where his journey began to share stories of leadership, service, and the importance of giving back. His visit was both inspiring and heartfelt, reminding everyone that leadership often begins close to home.
After touring classrooms and learning about the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes independence, curiosity, and respect, Representative Salahuddin joined the SMS Leaders Club for an engaging Q&A session. The exchange was lively, thoughtful, and filled with the kind of questions only children can dream up.
Representative Salahuddin answers questions from Sammamish Montessori School students.
Students asked everything from “Why is this job important?” to “What do you wear to work?” Some questions reflected their empathy, such as “Can you help people who don’t have homes?” While others brought laughter, including “Can you bring scooters to our school?” and the crowd favorite, “What if we want scooters and goats?”
Representative Salahuddin answered each question with warmth and care, encouraging students to stay curious, learn how the government works, and understand that their voices matter. He spoke about the importance of listening, teamwork, and how leadership means serving others —lessons that deeply resonated with both students and teachers.
To show their appreciation, the children presented him with a handmade welcome banner and thank-you card, each crafted with colorful drawings and heartfelt messages.
For Sammamish Montessori School, the visit wasn’t just a special event; it was a powerful reminder of what the SMS Leaders Club stands for: nurturing community awareness, curiosity, and compassion from an early age.
As Dr. Maria Montessori once said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” In Sammamish Montessori School that day, surrounded by laughter and questions about goats and government, that promise was shining bright.
