The Role of a Montessori Teacher
The Role of
The Teacher
By
Clare Walker
Introduction
The following essay should describe the Role of a Teacher within the specially Prepared Environment as defined by Maria Montessori in her years of observation. In a Montessori School, the word Teacher is not used as Directress is used instead.
In her writings, Maria Montessori used the word “Direttoressa” taken from the Italian word “direttore” which when looking into the meaning of the word is less about telling people what to do but more about steering people in the right direction. It is not only used for teacher but also for conductor, editors and managers.
The word “Directress” which is used today was first used in translation of the book The Montessori Method in 1912 by the American, Anne Everett George.
If we look again at the meaning of the Directress referred to above, it is the perfect description of the Role of a Montessori Teacher. Not to tell the child what they should be doing but to guide them in the right direction in pursuit of self –understanding, knowledge, Independence and development into adulthood. For the role of a directress is an inactive one; as the active learning must come from the child.
The Role of the Teacher
The role of a Montessori Directress is the vital link between that of the child and the environment. Under her guidance a child will develop both as a person and intellectually to reach their full potential and become the man of the future. “She is the main connecting link between the material, that is the objects, and the child”. Maria Montessori
It is the Directress’ role is to prepare a beautiful and enticing environment which will welcome the child in and provide a safe, calm and peaceful atmosphere in which they can learn. She must carefully arrange the room with child size furnishings and must ensure that all the educational materials are on display for a child to see in an orderly fashion. The apparatus should be stimulating, purposeful and invoke
The Teacher
By
Clare Walker
Introduction
The following essay should describe the Role of a Teacher within the specially Prepared Environment as defined by Maria Montessori in her years of observation. In a Montessori School, the word Teacher is not used as Directress is used instead.
In her writings, Maria Montessori used the word “Direttoressa” taken from the Italian word “direttore” which when looking into the meaning of the word is less about telling people what to do but more about steering people in the right direction. It is not only used for teacher but also for conductor, editors and managers.
The word “Directress” which is used today was first used in translation of the book The Montessori Method in 1912 by the American, Anne Everett George.
If we look again at the meaning of the Directress referred to above, it is the perfect description of the Role of a Montessori Teacher. Not to tell the child what they should be doing but to guide them in the right direction in pursuit of self –understanding, knowledge, Independence and development into adulthood. For the role of a directress is an inactive one; as the active learning must come from the child.
The Role of the Teacher
The role of a Montessori Directress is the vital link between that of the child and the environment. Under her guidance a child will develop both as a person and intellectually to reach their full potential and become the man of the future. “She is the main connecting link between the material, that is the objects, and the child”. Maria Montessori
It is the Directress’ role is to prepare a beautiful and enticing environment which will welcome the child in and provide a safe, calm and peaceful atmosphere in which they can learn. She must carefully arrange the room with child size furnishings and must ensure that all the educational materials are on display for a child to see in an orderly fashion. The apparatus should be stimulating, purposeful and invoke
Bibliography: http://www.tjleone.com/terms.htm (accessed 16thNovember 2010) The Discovery of a child. By Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori http://montessoricentenary.org/photos/index.html (accessed 18th November 2010 http://montessori.org.au (accessed 18th November 2010) Montessori, The Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard