What I've Learned from Montessori - A Real Teacher's Perspective

One of the greatest gifts I've received is my Montessori training. When I look at Montessori education, it’s not always about what I, the teacher, bring to the classroom. Many times, it’s what I take away from my Montessori classroom and students. My family is in transition right now – my son has entered public middle school.

This fall, I've taken quite a bit of time to reflect on the important values I've learned from being a Montessori teacher.

Autumn Activities in the Montessori Classroom: Apple Print Placemats

This Monday was the autumnal equinox, or the first day of autumn (fall) for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As part of the physical geography curriculum, we've been studying the hemispheres in our Montessori classroom; looking at how the seasons change due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis. As part of our botany lessons, we've gone out to study deciduous and flowering fruit trees. I've been looking for a fun, practical life activity that would tie all of this together.

I was at our local dollar store over the weekend and noticed that they had solid-colored placemats on sale. I immediately thought of having the Montessori students make harvest placemats by painting with apples.

Why I Teach Montessori - A Real Teacher's Perspective

I was sitting around talking at lunch the other day and the question arose: What made you decide on Montessori? The stories varied from one Montessori teacher to another. One was raised in a Montessori environment and school. One replied to an ad for an assistant and went on to get her training. It made me think about my own personal Montessori journey. I'd like to share with you the experiences I had in a Montessori classroom, how they changed my entire life, and the course of my career.