What, exactly, is the role of the Montessori teacher? How is it so different from that of any other teacher? Sometimes it’s easiest to begin by explaining what a Montessori teacher isn’t.
A Montessori teacher is less like the traditional idea of an instructor, and more like a gentle guide. They don’t consider it their job to give a child information. They rather lead children in the general direction and give them the tools they need to find the information themselves.
Maria Montessori once said:
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher...is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.”
Montessori Teachers Cultivate Independence
In a Montessori classroom, rather than seeing a teacher at the front of the classroom giving the same lesson to every child, the teacher will be working quietly with individual children or small groups. While that is happening the rest of the children are free to spend their time doing the work that calls to them. A Montessori teacher works hard to create structures that allow children to be independent and to trust themselves as learners.
One large part of what a Montessori teacher does is to intentionally prepare a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate, is inviting to children, and supports them on their journey to work independently. This environment is constantly changing in tiny ways as the teacher notices new and evolving needs of the students.
Montessori Teachers are Trained to Think Like Scientists
Parents should know that Montessori teachers are exceptionally well trained. Most have recognized Montessori credentials in addition to their university degrees. Here at Forestville Montessori School, Sydney Australia, all of our teachers hold one of the most highly regarded Montessori credentials, an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Diploma. To be a certified AMI Teacher means a teacher:
- Understands child development and acts as a guide to help children find their natural path
- Creates a hands-on, self-paced, collaborative and joyful classroom
- Transforms lives by implementing the principles of Montessori education
- Believes in education that meets the child’s physical, emotional and intellectual development
- Guides children to enthusiastically follow their interests and passions whilst developing strong academic skills, leadership, self-discipline, responsibility and independence
- Trains rigorously and has graduated with a set of high-quality skills
- Connects to a global network across numerous countries with trainers and teachers to continuously develop their craft
Montessori teacher certification programs are intensive and demanding; one might compare them to the equivalent of another university degree. These training programs don’t just teach Montessori educators how to use the specialised materials; there is extensive coursework about Montessori philosophy, child development, and integrating the arts.
Because all of our Teachers at Forestville Montessori School hold AMI Diplomas, it means that we have a consistently high-quality approach to teaching from Birth to age 12 and all of our teachers speak the same language about child development and pedagogy.
When it comes to assessments, Montessori teachers don’t rely on standardized tests; they rely on the power of observation. They have notebooks brimming with evidence of what their students have mastered, need more support with, and are curious about. They are constantly recording what they notice children working on, how that work is being executed, and ideas they might have in anticipation of a child’s next steps.
Assidere: Latin meaning is to sit beside
Montessori teachers exemplify the Latin meaning of assessment, assidere, which means to sit beside. Assessment in a Montessori school means to sit beside the learner.
They sit beside a child and determine exactly what they know about a wide range of content areas. At Forestville Montessori school we have taken this idea one step further by introducing a tool called Transparent Classroom. This tool allows our teachers to plan lessons and track student progress individually. It is a superior way to demonstrate human potential and every child’s capacity to thrive intellectually, socially and emotionally. When after three years, a student transitions to the next cycle, their new teacher has access to all the information. Parents can also sign up to see their children’s work with pictures, videos and work samples annotated with teachers’ comments about their progress.
Montessori Teachers Think Long-Term
Students remain with their teachers for a three-year cycle. This means that teachers have the unique ability to consider the big picture when working with students. There is a natural tendency to allow the children to genuinely learn at their own pace. Getting to know a child and their family well over the course of a few years really supports this approach.
Montessori Teachers are Often Called ‘Guides’
…and for good reason. While children in Montessori classrooms have an abundance of choice in their educational pursuits, Montessori is based on the idea of ‘freedom within limits’. It’s the Montessori teacher’s job to carefully craft those limits. Children rely on having a certain amount of structure in place. This gives them comfort and a safe place in which they can take risks and try new things. Montessori teachers set boundaries and then carefully help students navigate within them.
What if your child loves to read but tends to avoid mathematics? Their Montessori teacher will find ways to ensure the mathematics still gets done. Sometimes this involves a gentle discussion with a child about time management skills, priorities, or setting goals. We call these discussions, student conferences. Sometimes the teacher will find a way to integrate the child’s interests into the less desirable work. Sometimes all it takes is a minor change in the environment. Montessori teachers gives children freedom, but they assist children in finding their way to success in this environment.
Montessori teachers value independence, self-reliance, and intrinsic motivation.
They also value cooperation, kindness, and strength in community.
Still curious? Come and see for yourself. Call us to set up an appointment today to observe in a classroom. See the difference Montessori teachers make for every child.
In the meantime, check out this great video of a lower primary classroom in which the teachers talk about the children’s work and their own roles:
A fascinating read,thank you.