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Montessori Teachers Chatboard

Considering training - Give this some thought...

by Nadine

Jan 14, 2010

Hi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education and I had the opportunity to observe in Montessori classrooms. My mom also worked as a cook at a Montessori school when I was a teen. (Loved them! I had a goal, back then to get training, but life got in the way) Long story short -- I currently teach kindergarten and (as you may have read) it has become much more of an academic academy than a place to welcome a child to school. I am very disappointed in what things have become.

I love the core of what I do, but it disturbs me deeply to have to "force" children to fit a certain "benchmark" goal whether or not they are developmentally ready to do so. I have to test my children every other week (every week if I think that a child may be in dan...See MoreHi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education and I had the opportunity to observe in Montessori classrooms. My mom also worked as a cook at a Montessori school when I was a teen. (Loved them! I had a goal, back then to get training, but life got in the way) Long story short -- I currently teach kindergarten and (as you may have read) it has become much more of an academic academy than a place to welcome a child to school. I am very disappointed in what things have become.

I love the core of what I do, but it disturbs me deeply to have to "force" children to fit a certain "benchmark" goal whether or not they are developmentally ready to do so. I have to test my children every other week (every week if I think that a child may be in danger of not meeting the standard --- seriously?! At 5 years old?!) I have a HUGE class (25) and miss the freedom to allow children to be who they are, to play, to learn at their own pace, and to be able to problem solve independently. I had that for a very brief period of time *prior to NCLB* -- and with *Race to the Top* on the horizon I fear that any fun that is left in my job will be taken away -- to teach to the test.

So -- my questions:

Is there *really* a demand for Montessori teachers as I have been reading? It has been suggested to me twice in the last two weeks that I consider getting Montessori training. I've looked at a few training programs, and (of course) every one of them thinks that theirs is The Best.

That being said -- I would much rather do the bulk of my academic training in the summertime since my responsibilities lessen quite a bit. I've seen plenty of online/distance learning schools; but I've not been able to find any that are somewhat of a hybrid class that would meet face to face and/or could allow me not to have to quit my job to do the internship / apprenticeship hours.

Ideas?

Thanks -- Nadine

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maureen On 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: > Hi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good > one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board > and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public > schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through > 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education > and...See MoreOn 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: > Hi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good > one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board > and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public > schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through > 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education > and I had the opportunity to observe in Montessori > classrooms. My mom also worked as a cook at a Montessori > school when I was a teen. (Loved them! I had a goal, back > then to get training, but life got in the way) Long story > short -- I currently teach kindergarten and (as you may > have read) it has become much more of an academic academy > than a place to welcome a child to school. I am very > disappointed in what things have become. > > I love the core of what I do, but it disturbs me deeply to > have to "force" children to fit a certain "benchmark" goal > whether or not they are developmentally ready to do so. I > have to test my children every other week (every week if I > think that a child may be in danger of not meeting the > standard --- seriously?! At 5 years old?!) I have a HUGE > class (25) and miss the freedom to allow children to be who > they are, to play, to learn at their own pace, and to be > able to problem solve independently. I had that for a very > brief period of time *prior to NCLB* -- and with *Race to > the Top* on the horizon I fear that any fun that is left in > my job will be taken away -- to teach to the test. > > So -- my questions: > > Is there *really* a demand for Montessori teachers as I > have been reading? It has been suggested to me twice in the > last two weeks that I consider getting Montessori training. > I've looked at a few training programs, and (of course) > every one of them thinks that theirs is The Best.

I guess the "demand" would mean the age group and the location you are speaking of. If you are in an area that has public Montessori be it charter or magnet, and you are already have your state teaching certification, getting your Montessori certification should be a good thing to have. However only your area would determine that. In our area we have only one private Montessori school that offers early elementary so the odds of finding a job here would be slim. Neither of the other preschools are offering elementary. Times are tough right financially for private and public schools. Finding any job is tough in either. Our local public schools are in the process of eliminating personnel cause our state is broke and the tax money is not supporting the budgets in place. My feeling is if public schools would admit defeat(it ain't workin), scrub the entire bureacracy of 'education" and create Montessori based schools, things for everyone - children, teachers, parents would improve drastically. Your idea of a large class really sin't considered large in Montessori. My daughter's first Montesori class at age 3 had 32 children in her class with a certified teacher and an assistant. She had a great year. I have often had class sizes larger then 25 and it works great - the more the merrier! Public schools could have those three grade levels all in one room, maybe 30-40 students in the rooms. They wouldn't have to buy all those worthless textbooks and other set curriculum materials, and they could use the more expensive initially materials(in pre primary especially) yet they are "green" reusable. I see Montessori can solve a lot of the situations you mention that are just not right. I think school is much worse with my grandchildren are experencing then my children did 30 years ago, and how it was when I was in parochial school with 42 in my first grade classroom 50 years ago. Sorry I got off on my soapbox but I agree with you that education is as far away from being what learning is, that it seems like school is such a waste of time. My granddaughter is in public full day kindergarten as a 6 and 1/2 year old. She was in my Montessori classroom for 4 years and was a late bloomer. She continues to ask to come back to my school because she said all they do is sit there and "do work". Her teacher keeps saying how well behaved she is and I think, so why is that so important? I already knew that and all she is learning is that she is doing such a great job in school because she is well behaved. Those stupid behavior techniques of earning tickets for good behavior back fired in her case because she deliberately "acted up" (sang during rest time lol) so that she wouldn't have to have one of those good behavior tickets that her classmates didn't usually get. There is WAY too much emphasis placed on behavior in these classrooms because the adults feel the need to control these children, Montessori teachers trust children to be able to make their own choices, make the environment to meet the needs of the children and a lot of those behavior problems are non existant in Montessori classrooms. The children are happy and engaged and responsible for their own learning, not what the teacher is forcing on them on the directed time table of NCLB. I know Montessori can work in public schools because I know of an elementary school in our state that failed NCLB, fired everyone and got rid of the curriculum and turned it into a Montessori school ages 3 to 12. They meet all the benchmarks and standards just like any other public school but they do it appropriately.

I really do not have the answers for you in your unique situation. I would suggest talking to Montessori schools in your area and see what opportunities are outthere. I did my preprimary training in the summer with three long weekend institutes. There is quite a variety of training centers out there. I self interned. Maybe if you had an open minded principal you could get your training, set your classroom up as a Montessori classroom and be a shining example of what can be done and still meet the challenges of NCLB> > > That being said -- I would much rather do the bulk of my > academic training in the summertime since my > responsibilities lessen quite a bit. I've seen plenty of > online/distance learning schools; but I've not been able to > find any that are somewhat of a hybrid class that would > meet face to face and/or could allow me not to have to quit > my job to do the internship / apprenticeship hours. > > Ideas? > > Thanks -- Nadine

Jan 14, 2010

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Nadine Maureen wrote:

I know Montessori can work in public schools because I know of an elementary school in our state that failed NCLB, fired everyone and got rid of the curriculum and turned it into a Montessori school ages 3 to 12. They meet all the benchmarks and standards just like any other public school but they do it appropriately.
...See More

Jan 14, 2010

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maureen On 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: > > > Maureen wrote: > > I know Montessori can work in public schools because I know of an > elementary school in our state that failed NCLB, fired everyone > and got rid of the curriculum and turned it into a Montessori > school ages 3 to 12. They meet all the benchmarks and standards > just lik...See MoreOn 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: > > > Maureen wrote: > > I know Montessori can work in public schools because I know of an > elementary school in our state that failed NCLB, fired everyone > and got rid of the curriculum and turned it into a Montessori > school ages 3 to 12. They meet all the benchmarks and standards > just like any other public school but they do it appropriately. > > Nadine: Wow!! That is very cool. I found it interesting that you > said how large the class sizes can be in Montessori classrooms. > Is that for one grade or multiple ages? I wonder about all of > that record-keeping --- is it as tedious and cumbersome for you > as it is in traditional public schools

(I am sorry but I have a new laptop without a mouse and I haven't yet figured out how to highlight so I can delete words!). What I wanted to add about the above school is that since the school was an NCLB failed school, the government paid for all the Montessori training of all the teachers(yee!), bought all the Montessori apparatus, etc. everything! THAT is when NCLB can REALLY work for the school. Yes, there is paperwork but it is much different then what you are expected to do. Of course, I don't know about Montessori public elementary schools since they have to meet state standards and I don't know how they do it. I just know it is different from all that seemingly meaningless paperwork traditional schools have to do. In pre primaty (as all Montessori teachers do), I serve as a scientist - I observe each child and do a lot of documentation daily. However, I am trained to observe for specific things, make decisions on my observations and plan accordingly for that child. I don't have to do reports, send them off to the higher ups and never again hear what my observations or documentations are supposed to affect the child. My observations are serving the child as he changes and grows each day. Class sizes do vary per school/classroom, but larger ones are preferred for social and academic reasons. Rather then the teacher being the source of learning, the students are teaching themselves and each other. Thus, the reason the large numbers work so much better then you experience in your situation. The teacher serves as a guide, role model and fellow learner with the childen. The hub is the children, not the teacher. Montessori is the REAL child centered way, not what we see in traditional classrooms where the teacher has a big desk, the desks are lined up in nice little rowa or a circle and the children spend a lot of time listening to the adult. > > Maureen: I really do not have the answers for you in your unique > situation. I would suggest talking to Montessori schools in your > area and see what opportunities are outthere. I did my preprimary > training in the summer with three long weekend institutes. > > Nadine: I've checked out just a few programs, and none of them > seemed to have a summer training -- which program did you choose?

I went to one at a university in our state. There are a couple in Chicago, at least one or two in Michigan, lots in Ohio, etc. Look under Montessori Connections, NAMTA in Cleveland and AMS(American Montesori) and AMI websites for Montessori training centers. > > Thanks for your insight, Maureen -- you have been very helpful!! > Nadin

Jan 15, 2010

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Montessori, of sorts... I teach in a public Montessori Magnet school....I think it "sucks"...but, then, another school in the same district does a great job of being a Montessori Magnet school....I think a lot has to do with the administration and how strong they are for the "cause".... fyi....I would LOVE to teach in a "real Montessori" environment....

On 1/14/1...See MoreI teach in a public Montessori Magnet school....I think it "sucks"...but, then, another school in the same district does a great job of being a Montessori Magnet school....I think a lot has to do with the administration and how strong they are for the "cause".... fyi....I would LOVE to teach in a "real Montessori" environment....

On 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: > Hi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good > one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board > and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public > schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through > 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education > and I had the opportunity to observe in Montessori > classrooms. My mom also worked as a cook at a Montessori > school when I was a teen. (Loved them! I had a goal, back > then to get training, but life got in the way) Long story > short -- I currently teach kindergarten and (as you may > have read) it has become much more of an academic academy > than a place to welcome a child to school. I am very > disappointed in what things have become. > > I love the core of what I do, but it disturbs me deeply to > have to "force" children to fit a certain "benchmark" goal > whether or not they are developmentally ready to do so. I > have to test my children every other week (every week if I > think that a child may be in danger of not meeting the > standard --- seriously?! At 5 years old?!) I have a HUGE > class (25) and miss the freedom to allow children to be who > they are, to play, to learn at their own pace, and to be > able to problem solve independently. I had that for a very > brief period of time *prior to NCLB* -- and with *Race to > the Top* on the horizon I fear that any fun that is left in > my job will be taken away -- to teach to the test. > > So -- my questions: > > Is there *really* a demand for Montessori teachers as I > have been reading? It has been suggested to me twice in the > last two weeks that I consider getting Montessori training. > I've looked at a few training programs, and (of course) > every one of them thinks that theirs is The Best. > > That being said -- I would much rather do the bulk of my > academic training in the summertime since my > responsibilities lessen quite a bit. I've seen plenty of > online/distance learning schools; but I've not been able to > find any that are somewhat of a hybrid class that would > meet face to face and/or could allow me not to have to quit > my job to do the internship / apprenticeship hours. > > Ideas? > > Thanks -- Nadine

Jan 22, 2010

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Montessori, of sorts... You could most likely get a job at our school if you were Montessori Certified and Teacher Certified (meeting NCLB demands...being a "highly qualified" teacher in your area...but ...you would really compromise your Montessori principles if you took a job at our school....I am soooo sorry to say, I wasted over two years of my "life" getting such won...See MoreYou could most likely get a job at our school if you were Montessori Certified and Teacher Certified (meeting NCLB demands...being a "highly qualified" teacher in your area...but ...you would really compromise your Montessori principles if you took a job at our school....I am soooo sorry to say, I wasted over two years of my "life" getting such wonderful training, and gting certified, and getting an advanced degree, just to find out that I couldn't really be a Montessori teacher in a public school setting...

I do wish you luck and the best in your pursuits....

On 1/14/10, maureen wrote: > On 1/14/10, Nadine wrote: >> Hi everyone-- I hope that your day so far has been a good >> one. Here's a question that I haven't seen on this board >> and perhaps you can help. I've been teaching in the public >> schools for 19 years and have taight grades pre-k through >> 5. My undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education >> and I had the opportunity to observe in Montessori >> classrooms. My mom also worked as a cook at a Montessori >> school when I was a teen. (Loved them! I had a goal, back >> then to get training, but life got in the way) Long story >> short -- I currently teach kindergarten and (as you may >> have read) it has become much more of an academic academy >> than a place to welcome a child to school. I am very >> disappointed in what things have become. >> >> I love the core of what I do, but it disturbs me deeply to >> have to "force" children to fit a certain "benchmark" goal >> whether or not they are developmentally ready to do so. I >> have to test my children every other week (every week if I >> think that a child may be in danger of not meeting the >> standard --- seriously?! At 5 years old?!) I have a HUGE >> class (25) and miss the freedom to allow children to be who >> they are, to play, to learn at their own pace, and to be >> able to problem solve independently. I had that for a very >> brief period of time *prior to NCLB* -- and with *Race to >> the Top* on the horizon I fear that any fun that is left in >> my job will be taken away -- to teach to the test. >> >> So -- my questions: >> >> Is there *really* a demand for Montessori teachers as I >> have been reading? It has been suggested to me twice in the >> last two weeks that I consider getting Montessori training. >> I've looked at a few training programs, and (of course) >> every one of them thinks that theirs is The Best. > > I guess the "demand" would mean the age group and the location > you are speaking of. If you are in an area that has public > Montessori be it charter or magnet, and you are already have > your state teaching certification, getting your Montessori > certification should be a good thing to have. However only > your area would determine that. In our area we have only one > private Montessori school that offers early elementary so the > odds of finding a job here would be slim. Neither of the other > preschools are offering elementary. Times are tough right > financially for private and public schools. Finding any job is > tough in either. Our local public schools are in the process > of eliminating personnel cause our state is broke and the tax > money is not supporting the budgets in place. My feeling is if > public schools would admit defeat(it ain't workin), scrub the > entire bureacracy of 'education" and create Montessori based > schools, things for everyone - children, teachers, parents > would improve drastically. Your idea of a large class really > sin't considered large in Montessori. My daughter's first > Montesori class at age 3 had 32 children in her class with a > certified teacher and an assistant. She had a great year. I > have often had class sizes larger then 25 and it works great - > the more the merrier! Public schools could have those three > grade levels all in one room, maybe 30-40 students in the > rooms. They wouldn't have to buy all those worthless textbooks > and other set curriculum materials, and they could use the > more expensive initially materials(in pre primary especially) > yet they are "green" reusable. I see Montessori can solve a > lot of the situations you mention that are just not right. I > think school is much worse with my grandchildren are > experencing then my children did 30 years ago, and how it was > when I was in parochial school with 42 in my first grade > classroom 50 years ago. Sorry I got off on my soapbox but I > agree with you that education is as far away from being what > learning is, that it seems like school is such a waste of > time. My granddaughter is in public full day kindergarten as a > 6 and 1/2 year old. She was in my Montessori classroom for 4 > years and was a late bloomer. She continues to ask to come > back to my school because she said all they do is sit there > and "do work". Her teacher keeps saying how well behaved she > is and I think, so why is that so important? I already knew > that and all she is learning is that she is doing such a great > job in school because she is well behaved. Those stupid > behavior techniques of earning tickets for good behavior back > fired in her case because she deliberately "acted up" (sang > during rest time lol) so that she wouldn't have to have one of > those good behavior tickets that her classmates didn't usually > get. There is WAY too much emphasis placed on behavior in > these classrooms because the adults feel the need to control > these children, Montessori teachers trust children to be able > to make their own choices, make the environment to meet the > needs of the children and a lot of those behavior problems are > non existant in Montessori classrooms. The children are happy > and engaged and responsible for their own learning, not what > the teacher is forcing on them on the directed time table of > NCLB. I know Montessori can work in public schools because I > know of an elementary school in our state that failed NCLB, > fired everyone and got rid of the curriculum and turned it > into a Montessori school ages 3 to 12. They meet all the > benchmarks and standards just like any other public school but > they do it appropriately. > > I really do not have the answers for you in your unique > situation. I would suggest talking to Montessori schools in > your area and see what opportunities are outthere. I did my > preprimary training in the summer with three long weekend > institutes. There is quite a variety of training centers out > there. I self interned. Maybe if you had an open minded > principal you could get your training, set your classroom up > as a Montessori classroom and be a shining example of what can > be done and still meet the challenges of NCLB> >> >> That being said -- I would much rather do the bulk of my >> academic training in the summertime since my >> responsibilities lessen quite a bit. I've seen plenty of >> online/distance learning schools; but I've not been able to >> find any that are somewhat of a hybrid class that would >> meet face to face and/or could allow me not to have to quit >> my job to do the internship / apprenticeship hours. >> >> Ideas? >> >> Thanks -- Nadine

Jan 22, 2010

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