Montessori Educators: Professional Assessment and Goal Setting

Montessori educators can benefit from periodic evaluation of their teaching (including classroom management, curriculum planning, etc.) and with New Year’s Eve around the corner, this can be an ideal time to practice some professional assessment and goal setting.

Here are a few examples of questions to ask yourself that may assist you with the goal-setting process:

• Have you been able to observe as much as you would like? Do you have time set aside daily and weekly for student and classroom observations? Are you observing at different times of the day? Are your observation notes organized and accessible? Do they easily lead to and assist with your documentation and record keeping?
• Do you have a system for returning parent phone calls and emails? Is it working? Is it effective?
• When you review your observation notes and your documentation of Montessori lessons that have been given, do you have a plan for students who are showing signs of readiness for a new activity or concept, or for any Montessori students who may be struggling?
• Are you where you want to be with Montessori lessons given? Have you unintentionally “dropped any threads” of student interests, projects, etc.? Are you following the child, every child, and their interests?
• Have you been reading professional journals or education books? Were there ideas or inspirations you wanted to implement in your classroom? Did you?
• Are you collaborating with your Montessori co-teacher, fellow staff members, or colleagues from other Montessori schools? Would you like to be?

When you determine the area or areas that you would like to improve upon or change, create goals to help you accomplish these changes. Create a plan or contract with specific details for how you will implement the changes. Make two copies and post one where you will see every day. Ask your Montessori co-teacher or another colleague to hold on to the other copy and check in with you in two weeks, one month, and two months. I hope you will find that putting a few, simple measurement and goal-setting methods into action creates the space and opportunity to enhance your Montessori teaching experience!

The NAMC manuals and curriculum support material provide forms and guidance for evaluation, assessment, and record-keeping.

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Thursday, December 30, 2010.