Reaching Out Beyond the “Montessori Choir”

“There seems to be a lot of sharing in smaller circles -- Montessorian to Montessorian;  you know the expression, ‘Preaching to the choir’.”,  lamented a colleague.

The truth of her observation hit home.  The Montessori method is so complex and distinct that it often seems overwhelming to try to break it down and translate it for others ... so we tend to talk to people who already understand.

If it makes us feel better, we are not alone. The “Curse of Knowledge”, as Chip and Dan Heath coined the term in their book, Made to Stick, is a common ailment.  Once we have learned something, it becomes hard to imagine NOT knowing it, and therein lies the difficulty of sharing concepts with others.

But if Montessori education is ever to be justly recognized and appreciated, we must endeavor to reach out beyond the “Montessori Choir”; to connect and share with those who do not yet understand Dr. Montessori’s work.  But how? 

Below are some of the ways Montessorians ARE reaching out to connect, within and beyond our community.  Help us grow a list of creative strategies by adding your ideas and experience in the "Comments" section... 

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Sheryl Morris:  “I'm connected to Google alerts that notifies me of Montessori posts online. (I learned this from Debbie A. Kelley.)  My intent is to help circulate stories about Montessori in the hope that more parents and grandparents become aware and begin making demands of elected officials and public school districts for more public Montessori classrooms.  It can feel like trying to fill a bucket of water with only an eyedropper at a time.  My latest "eyedropper" idea is to see what Montessori books are at my little public library. I intend on buy one or two and donating them. Something easy to read like Tim Seldin's "Raising an Amazing Child." I wonder if the people at the library would consider spotlighting Montessori one week? The idea behind having children discover things for themselves is impacting me this morning. Adults like making discoveries themselves.

Cody Davis Sanantonio, Metamorphosis Montessori: “I conducted an inservice for 15 teachers from another school last week, and their enthusiasm and delight was so contagious. They kept emphasizing how wonderful it was to connect and talk with other Montessorians. I felt uplifted afterward.  In addition to in-service training, I am engaged in educating Montessori families via classes, and home visits where we set up Montessori home environments. I produced a manual for parents which includes explanations of the child's need for order and the child's drive toward independence. The manual explains authoritative parenting and its correlation to Montessori child guidance. Checklists are also a part of the manual that provide parents a structure for setting up home care schedules and chores for children.  I've completed a thesis entitled: The Montessori Principles: Do Montessori Parents Understand Their Significance and Apply Them To Their Family Lives? This was a mixed methods study that provides some interesting data, (that most Montessorians already suspect,) about the comprehension and utilization of Montessori by Montessori parents in the home. Conclusion: We have much work to do. My analysis suggests that many parents still look at Montessori as schooling that ‘is done to the child,’; not a process of unfolding at home and at school. We have hoped for Montessori in the public sector, and see a trend toward Montessori charters...but if we have not educated the families, we have children who are not being fully served, as they may be going home to a totally different set of groundrules and values. Work to do indeed friends!  I also write a blog:  www.amontessorilife.blogspot.com”

Marianne White Dunlap, director of Prairie Flower Montessori School:  “Our school has hosted education students from local universities who have never observed a Montessori classroom. They too are impressed with what they see. For the first time the director of Early Head Start is scheduled to come for a visit. I also try to collaborate as much as I can with Baby Talk, It has its national headquarters here in Decatur. I also try to respond to blogs of progressive educators who have similar views of education and I try to show them how Montessori is similar in many respects to what they are doing...We have to be willing to open our Montessori windows while at the same time staying true to the principles and practices from our trainings.

Regina Kyle:  “I have always found that sowing seeds is one of the most important things we do. I am a very impatient person but I have found seeds I have sown sprouting in the most unlikely places at times. We can't force people to accept new ideas; we sow seeds and we need to find the ways to approach others. I have always been what I call an ‘intuitive Montessorian’ -- long before I knew about Maria Montessori I was following many of her practices.”

Patty Delcambre Said, ArborCreek Montessori School: “I share articles about Montessori in the mainstream on our School's page and on our PTO group page. I think that the more mainstream articles we can circulate the better; social media makes it fast, easy, and inexpensive.”

Paula Leigh-Doyle, Hershey Montessori School: “We are reaching out to our Early Childhood and Education departments in our area and try to accept as many ed-majors for observations as we can. I contacted last year’s CAEYC board member to ask if I can present or have a booth at their annual conference. I told her about OMA of course. As a result I was invited to present to an ECE class at Cuyahoga Community College, ‘An introduction to the Montessori Approach’ next week for the same purpose. I hope to do the same at Cleveland State University again this year also, although I have not presented there for some years. Once I have restored successful connections in these institutions I will invite different teachers from my school to make the presentations there as it is great for their professional engagement to be able to do this also.”

Tammy Chabria, Head of Jane’s Montessori Academy: “For me, a big way I stay in the loop is being a member of Montessori Administrators Association (and their google group), and the montessori_online yahoo discussion group. Plus, I follow a lot of Montessorians on Twitter and Facebook and get the Montessori "newspaper" from Twitter which gives a sum up of the days Montessori tweets. I also get a daily Google alert on Montessori, so notification if the word Montessori has been used on any blogs or in the news. Kind of a hodge podge, I know.” 

Helen Campbell, Grand Lakes Montessori: “We had 55 administrators/teachers from Pace (Professional Association of Childhood Educators) tour the school last Friday.  When they stepped off the bus, they were warmly greeted by 5 Montessori trained guides. We mapped out a walking route so that each group of 11 did not run into the other tour groups, and gave them business cards with our professional emails on the back, encouraging them to communicate with us.  Guides pointed out the following: toddlers converting their classroom into a bedroom, and setting the tables for hot lunch

In the 5  primaries, administrators observed children indoors/outdoors, engaged in  activities, and small group lessons. Some children were preparing to serve the organic hot lunch.  Guides discussed instances of spontaneous repetition we observed and how valuable it is to the young child, serving, setting table, placing napkins, laying out mats and blankets, and the use of real tools and glassware.  All administrators/ teachers were  impressed with bread machines in each class, the handmade language  cards sequencing daily bread making!  When a classroom was empty with children eating on the deck, guests could examine a classroom.  Comments included,“This is the most hospitable friendly stop on the school tour!”, “Children use real tools to serve themselves lunch!  How do you get licensing to okay use of glass in the preschool?”  We encouraged all to email us with questions, and make an appointment to observe in the future.  One surprise benefit was that although the teachers felt nervous showing guests around, they readily warmed up to sharing and seeing how impressed other early childhood professionals were at what we take for granted every day.  At the PACE annual convention for Northern and Southern California on Saturday I felt like a super star.  So many people came up to me and said that they had never had any exposure to a Montessori program before and how impressed they were.  370 participants (and only 2 Montessori schools that I could determine!)  My staff said they would welcome monthly visits from junior colleges, ECE people etc....We can change minds and open up possibilities with only 35 minutes of hospitality!!!

Diane Meves, Montessori Parent:  "As a once clueless parent, my goal is to (a) make other parents aware of Montessori as an educational option, and (b) make it affordable by making it a public option.
I created a petition for Columbus City Schools to adopt a Montessori program as a charter alternative school. We used a good old fashioned pen and paper petition campaign at farmers markets and city social events like Goodale Park's Comfest to drive interest and education. We also moves the petition campaign online with a Facebook page, "Bring a Montessori option to Columbus Public Schools." 

The Montessori Leaders Collaborative: Made up of the heads of AMI, AMI/USA, AMS, NAMTA, IMC, and other Montessorians, the Montessori Leaders Collaborative is working on unified messaging, research, and other projects to turn our efforts into a real movement.  Click here to learn more.

Montessori: Coming Soon to A Public School Near You?

I attended the NAMTA conference, “Essential Montessori Mathematics: Implementing Authentic Montessori in the Public Sector”, held in Maryland from October 11-14, 2012. It captured the importance of Montessori education, and kindled hope that it will soon be an option available to more children.

Essential Montessori Math and “Psycho Disciplines”

As parents, we are often amazed at what our children are learning in a Montessori classroom.  But however impressive, knowledge acquisition is only part of the process, not the primary purpose.  The conference’s luminary speakers drew upon Dr. Montessori’s book, Psychogeometry, to emphasize that the purpose of work in a Montessori environment goes beyond knowledge acquisition and into the development of mind and personality. 

Concern for the development of the mind and cultivation of the entire personality of each child runs counter to the measurement-oriented, accountability-focused culture currently dominating the field of education.  Yet it has critical implications for society and our children’s future.  With today’s mounting challenges, subject area knowledge is important, but not enough.  The world needs what Montessori education nurtures: individuals who are engaged, compassionate, collaborative, creative, self-motivated, and passionate; lifelong learners with growth mindsets and autotelic personalities (learn more here).  But how can Montessori education touch the lives of more of tomorrow’s citizens and leaders?

Authentic Montessori in the Public Sector

Profound commitment to grow authentic Montessori education in the public sector was evident throughout the conference.  A highlight was visiting Capital Hill Montessori at Logan, a thriving, authentic Montessori public school in Washington, DC.

In 1983 there were fewer than 100 Montessori public schools in the United States; by 1992 there were more than 400.  (A census is being conducted to determine current numbers).  Growth of Montessori in the public sector has happened -- thanks to the heroic efforts of Montessori pioneers (several of whom spoke at the conference about the rewards and challenges of implementing authentic Montessori in the public sector).

But what I sensed at the NAMTA conference is the potential for a seismic shift.   There is a critical mass of notable educators, leaders, visionaries, and researchers who are committing time, money and resources to collaboratively create a brilliant, methodical strategy; one which kindles hope that authentic Montessori may indeed be coming, in the not so distant future, to a public school near you. 

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OMA is committed to sharing information and resources!  This entry was written for a Montessori School newsletter.  All schools are welcome to use this summary.