5 Traits of a Good Montessori Teacher
As a Montessori teacher, I have had the privilege of working in both a traditional and a charter school environment. I have been very candid in other posts about what I have seen behind the scenes in these environments. At the school I work at now (it is a charter school), I am a kindergarten teacher. When I discuss with my colleagues my pedigree, the disdain for the category of Montessori is pretty epic.
I hope to arm parents with some tools for how to discern a good Montessori teacher. I hope also to support wonderful teachers in the environment that are getting a bad rap.
Here are 5 characteristics to look for (not in any particular order):
A deep understanding of child development: A great Montessori teacher has a thorough understanding of child development and the developmental stages of the children they are teaching.
A prepared environment: Montessori teachers create a carefully prepared environment that is orderly, beautiful, and inviting to children. The environment is designed to foster independence, self-motivation, and a love of learning.
Respect for the child: Montessori teachers have a deep respect for the child and their unique abilities, interests, and needs. They understand that each child is an individual with their own pace of learning and that it is their role to support and guide their development.
Observation skills: Montessori teachers are skilled observers, closely observing the children to understand their needs and interests. They use these observations to guide their teaching and to plan activities that meet the needs of the individual child.
A love of learning: Montessori teachers have a genuine love of learning and are passionate about sharing this love with their students. They model curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love of learning to inspire their students.
Tomorrow I will share 5 more characteristics of a good Montessori teacher.
