This week, we have an observer from the Montessori Training Center of New England. Observing in a Montessori classroom is one of the many requirements to become a Montessori teacher/guide.
Observing is an amazing experience. Parent conferences are coming up (November 15-18). I encourage you to arrange a date to observe your child during the next two weeks. It makes our conference a richer experience.
This is my ninth year as a Montessori Primary Guide at MMS. I was honored to be in the first graduating class of the Montessori Training Center of New England. MTCNE is an AMI Training Center that is located here on the Learning Corridor Campus.
I was drawn to the Montessori Philosophy because it is the way that I live my life. Maria Montessori believed that children need to be close to nature and to learn about real things. I love nature and find peace and relaxation by living on a pond. Every day, I enjoy the turtles, heron, geese and the beauty of nature. I also practice Yoga. It is a graceful and peaceful way of keeping me flexible and strong both physically and spiritually.
Like Montessori, I have a deep respect for the genius and miracle of the child. I have always been fascinated by how we learn and in finding ways to help individuals meet their optimal potential. A key aspect of the Montessori Method is to become a keen observer of the child. There is nothing I love more than to watch an individual child explore and to identify the unique way that learning takes place. I constantly read and learn about the way that the brain works and try to find techniques to support a child’s growth.
For me, creating the prepared environment is one of the joys of being a Montessori guide. I love to quilt, do crafts and make things look beautiful. I have made many of the materials in our classroom and totally enjoy working with the children to create our garden with herbs and flowers that we use in the classroom. Cooking with the children is also something that I love to do.
The Montessori philosophy emphasizes peace, grace and courtesy, control of the will, independence, individuality, nature, creativity and exploration. These characteristics provide a foundation that is important for the child and also provides my center.