Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Sofjan
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For the past decade, I served as an Associate Professor at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. Over the years, I noticed that more and more learners were becoming disengaged in the classroom. Teaching is my deepest passion, and I was looking for better ways to engage them.
One day, I stumbled upon Acton Academy, and its unconventional and innovative approach immediately caught my attention. Feeling curious, I delved into the book Courage To Grow, which describes a day in the life of Acton Academy. This book gave a fair warning that if you decide to read it, you might end up wanting to open your own Acton! Well, that’s exactly what happened to me! But, making such a life-changing decision wasn’t easy. So I decided to dip my toes in by experimenting with Acton methods in my college classroom. I was only able to implement about ten percent of Acton methods due to the constraints of the traditional education system. However, that ten percent sparked a transformation,
I created a course in which there were no lectures, no tests, and I trusted my learners to peer grade and peer evaluate one another…a class reminiscent of an Acton Academy. And I would have to say that the depth of learning and love for learning that flourished in that classroom exceeded all of my expectations. One learner’s comment left me a lasting impression. He wrote, “I could have gotten a C in the course and not cared because I genuinely enjoyed the challenges. I truly just cared about getting better at the course objectives and learning as much as possible.” After waiting for eight years to read a comment like that from a learner, it hit me… I want this kind education not just for my learners, but also for my own children. The dream was to have them in an environment were grades weren’t the focus, but the joy of learning was.
Now the only problem was there was no Acton Academy in Pearland, which is where my family lives and where we want to raise our children. I felt a deep calling to open an Acton Academy for my children and families in our community.
Finally, after months of doubts and prayers, I said yes! We launched Masterpiece: An Acton Academy this past August at the Pearland Town Center with incredible founding families. Our learners are thriving, and I’m truly grateful for everyone who has supported us on this journey!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall it has been a smooth and incredible journey, but we had to overcome challenges along the way.
Firstly, securing the ideal location was difficult. As a ‘one-room schoolhouse for the 21st century,’ we sought a large open space, ample outdoor play areas, and easy access to nature. Budget constraints limited our options, and for months, no location aligned with our vision. This changed when I met Natasha and Markeith Tennison, founders of Gathering Outreach, a non-profit at the Pearland Town Center. We shared a strong connection and aligned values, and they offered a spacious open classroom in their building. This location, just minutes in walking distance from the Town Center Pavilion and a scenic nature trail, proved to be an ideal fit.
Secondly, finding the right guide was equally challenging. At Acton Academy, we believe in ‘guides’ rather than teachers. With our Montessori-inspired approach, I sought an experienced Montessori guide for our Spark Studio (ages 4-7). Two promising leads fell through during Hurricane Beryl, leaving me with just three weeks until our school’s opening and no guide in place. Fortunately, I maintained contact with my son’s former Montessori teacher, whom I deeply respect. She was seeking a new opportunity and joined our team just a week before the school year began!
Finally, attracting the right families is not easy. Acton Academy is not for the faint of heart… it is for parents who are willing to trust their children to lead their own learning journeys. When I resigned from the University of Houston three months before our launch, only two learners had committed. The ideal number to start was seven. We were blessed to open with ten learners on our opening day!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Masterpiece: An Acton Academy is an innovative Pre-K to 5th grade private school in Pearland. It’s a school where children are free to learn at their own pace, to move, and to question. A place that fosters character traits like grit, kindness, and empathy. An intimate community where they learn to communicate, think critically, and take full ownership of their learning journey. Think of us as Montessori for the 21st century. We are learner-led, hands-on, and faith-based.
Our school is where Montessori meets tech. We blend timeless Montessori principles with cutting-edge online learning and technology to equip your children for the 21st century. We nurture all aspects of development—social, emotional, academic, and physical—to ensure overall well-being. At our school, we have guides, not teachers. Instead of giving traditional lectures, guides inspire, connect, and equip using the Socratic Method, asking insightful questions to foster critical thinking.
We are a small school with a big mission: to inspire each child to find a calling and change the world.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Where God guides, God provides.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.masterpieceacademy.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masterpieceacton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masterpieceacton
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/masterpiece-an-acton-academy-pearland?osq=masterpiece+an+acton+academy
