Dr. Maria Montessori — The Doctor Behind the Pedagogy
The Woman Leading the Method
Maria Montessori was born in 1870 in Ancona, Italy to an educated, but not affluent middle class family. She was an Italian woman ahead of her time who is acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children naturally learn through experiential exploration of the environment. She studied engineering, but later decided to pursue becoming a doctor. In a time period when males dominated many occupations, she persevered, with much controversial hardships, and became the first female doctor and graduate from the University of Rome. Dr. Montessori was a determined individual known as a scientist, physician, educator, and innovator. The Montessori Method of education was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori as a result of her scientific observations of the behaviour and needs of young children. Montessori is a programme which began with less fortunate children is today offered in private schools as a programme is today enjoyed by families who make education a top priority and affluent families.
Dr. Montessori called her first primary class the Casa dei Bambini or “Children’s House” and based the programme on her observations that young children learn best in a nurturing environment, filled with developmentally appropriate materials that provide experiences contributing to the growth of self-motivated, independent learners.
Among Montessori’s revolutionary theories were the premises that:
Jean Piaget, Anna Freud, and Erik Erikson studied under Maria Montessori before making their mark as contributors to education and child psychology. There are many elements of modern education, which have been adapted from her theories such as the development of the open classroom, individualized education, hands-on learning, teaching toys, and programmed instruction. The Montessori Method was introduced more than 100 years ago, but only in the last thirty-five years are educators in Europe and North America recognizing the consistency between the Montessori approach and information learned from child development research.
Montessori is now recognized in 110 countries worldwide and there are more than 22,000 Montessori schools in the world today.
Why Montessori? Students Thrive!
"It is true that we cannot make a genius. We can only give to each child the chance to fulfill his potential possibilities.” — Dr. Maria Montessori
Society provides a richness of culture, gender, ages, personalities and talents. Peel Montessori School and its elder division, Carrington College, strive to prepare students for future environments in the real world, which includes a 21st century global vision.
The benefits and outcomes of the Montessori method include:
Children are generally very adaptable, and although every child adjusts in due course, we suggest for parents to be patient – usually approximately 6 – 8 weeks.
September 28, 2006—A study comparing outcomes of children at a public inner-city Montessori school with children who attended traditional schools indicates that Montessori education leads to children with better social and academic skills. The study appears in the September 29, 2006 issue of the journal Science (see article full text; available free through Montessori-Science.org).
Peel Montessori School students continue their studies in other private, public schools as well as International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes with success. 98% our alumni reported honour roll status in the first year of graduation in their new schools. Accomplishments include: valedictorian, major parts is school plays, Pythagorean champions, athletic scholarships, Science Fair provincial winners, and some of our university graduates are in the workforce as teachers, lawyers, accountants, and entrepreneurs.
Blog
Your Child Will Thank You for Saying ‘no’!
Montessori, the Right Choice
Articles
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Recommended Readings
Montessori Madness! – Trevor Eissler
Dr. Lillard has made a major contribution with this scientific exploration of how the Montessori model best prepares children to succeed in school and later life. Dr. Lillard shows how ongoing brain research and studies about child development support the validity and effectiveness of the Montessori approach.
Montessori: The Science Behind The Genius
Dr. Lillard has made a major contribution with this scientific exploration of how the Montessori model best prepares children to succeed in school and later life. Dr. Lillard shows how ongoing brain research and studies about child development support the validity and effectiveness of the Montessori approach.
Montessori Today
Montessori Today is a response to the lay person’s need for clear, accurate information on the Montessori programmes for the different age groupings and the theory that underlies them. Dr. Paul Polk Lillard presents Montessori as a compelling alternative to the mainstream educational system and the malaise students often experience in today’s crisis-ridden schools.
Understanding the Human Being: The Importance of the First Three Years of Life
Dr. Montanaro addresses prenatal life, symbiosis, breastfeeding and weaning, brain development and the absorbent mind, independence, language development, and the developmental crises of the first three years.
The Tao of Montessori
Based on the Lao-tzu’s writings, collected as the Tao Te Ching. It consists of eighty-one thoughts meant to remind rather than direct, and to show the way toward natural harmony in the worlds around and within us. The Tao of Montessori is a gift from one teacher to all teachers, as well as to the parents of the children who are “the tiny miracles that unfold every day in our classrooms.”
Punished by Rewards
Drawing from hundreds of studies, Kohn demonstrates that people actually do inferior work when they are enticed with money, grades, or other incentives. Programmes that use rewards to change people’s behavior are similarly ineffective over the long run. Promising goodies to children for good behavior can never produce anything more than temporary obedience
Out of Our Minds: Learning To Be Creative
There is a paradox. Most children think they’re highly creative: most adults think they’re not. What happens to them as they grow up? Throughout the world, companies and organizations are trying to compete in a world of economic and technological change that is moving faster than ever.
Drive
Most of us believe that the best way to motivate ourselves and others is with external rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That’s a mistake. The secret to high performance and satisfaction—at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.
Whole New Mind
Lawyers. Accountants. Computer programmers. That’s what our parents encouraged us to become when we grew up. But Mom and Dad were wrong. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind. The era of “left brain” dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which “right brain” qualities-inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate.
Videos
Montessori Education and Higher Order Cognitive Functions
Montessori Madness (Video by Trevor Eissler)
Montessori for 3-6
Most Montessori schools offer programmes for ages 3-6 years old. This is a great introduction of the Montessori 3-6 environment.
Montessori Elementary
A great introduction to Montessori for the Elementary Years from the American Montessori Society.
Peace Education
The cornerstone of Montessori.
The Way you Wish you Were Educated
(TYT Interview)
Nancy McCormick Rambusch
The founder of the American Montessori Society.
Google founders talk about Montessori
Sir Ken Robinson – Do Schools Kill Creativity
AMS Production – Montessori preschool to SK years
(Casa Programme)
AMS Production – Montessori grades 1 – 6
(Elementary Programme)
Career Opportunities
Part-time Toddler Teacher (ECE and /or Montessori certification)
Peel Montessori School is an established private school in the Clarkson community. Children at PMPS enjoy a family-oriented atmosphere, with a home away from home sense. We offer the highest standards of learning and quality care at all grade levels. Although a playful atmosphere, the children enjoy a learning environment through formal hands-on exercises, songs, art, circle time, and story time. Children at PMPS love coming to school. Our staff are carefully selected for their qualifications, experience, and personal passion and dedication to the children which they teach.
We currently have an immediate opening for a Part-time Childcare Provider with ECE or Montessori or both certifications. This position is a Monday to Friday position. The ideal candidate must speak and write fluent English, have a caring and nurturing sense and experience working with young children and Toddlers. As the assistant inside the class, the candidate takes direction from and works closely with the Lead Teacher as needed to meet the requirements of the children, class, and school.
This position is part-time Monday to Friday. The School requires flexibility with hours and a willingness to become a team member available for Open Houses, and evening and other school related events, when applicable.
Hours approximately 15 to 24 hours.
Requirements:
- University Degree or College Certification
- 2 year’s experience
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Positive disposition, joyful attitude, and soft spoken with the children
- You must be able to work in a team environment, be flexible, a self-starter, loyal to the school and supportive of its goals and policies
- Individuals must be healthy, reliable, and trustworthy
- Individual work within established policies and procedures and support the school’s community culture.
Must have current Police Record Check and First Aid/CPR
We are a non-smoking environment, and the teachers wear uniform school colours.
Asset: Knowledge of Mandarin, Spanish, or polish
Working knowledge of a Montessori environment
Compensation: Hourly rate commensurate with experience.
This position could eventually become full-time for the ideal candidate.
Forward your cover letter, resume, and references to [email protected]. Please do not contact the office.
Although we thank all applicants, only those who we feel are best suited for this position will be contacted.
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