chatboard - Teachers.Net

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Montessori

MEMBERS

5 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Montessori Teachers Chatboard

New owner...class rowdy, staff lazy

by Frustrated

Mar 28, 2010

Folks

this board has helped me in the last and I'm looking to get more help again.

I recently took over a Montessori school. With it, came the existing children and staff.

Here's my issue...it seems the previous owner/lead teacher was hardly there (she had another location) and so the teachers took things easy and in turn, the children have suffered. I have yet to see one child that has actually done an activity the "right" way from beginning to end.

If we can get them to roll a mat properly, they won't carry it properly. If we get them to carry it, they won't put it away properly. If they pick an activity from the shelf (esp practical life), they NEVER EVER put it back in it's exact spot. The biggest issue is with practical life it seems and then some sensorial materials.

When I came in, I tried to get the staff to be more vigilant with the children and how they use the materials...it's not consistent...they do it some days, not others. Th...See More

Comment

(5)

report post

nomi wow, i can't even imagine just how frustrated you are. i am afraid i don't have a magic bullet solution. however i did think of some general ideas.

1.--maybe you could hire an office person (or get parent volunteers) to free you up to be in the classroom on a consistant basis and thus eliminate the need for one of the least productive staf...See More

Mar 30, 2010

report post

teacher You move forward in a supporter manner, very slowly and very aware that you must make you staff feel they are valued and worthy. You can't tell someone what to do and have them do it...you need to gain their confidence and trust....and it will take time...

You know what is correct..but that has not been the standard..you need to model the ...See MoreYou move forward in a supporter manner, very slowly and very aware that you must make you staff feel they are valued and worthy. You can't tell someone what to do and have them do it...you need to gain their confidence and trust....and it will take time...

You know what is correct..but that has not been the standard..you need to model the right way to do things and wait for the change to happen, with a little nudging ... it will be a very difficult task...

You can "clean house" and let everyone go...and be the only teacher until you normalize you class...or you work with what you have....good luck...

On 3/28/10, Frustrated wrote: > Folks > > this board has helped me in the last and I'm looking to get > more help again. > > I recently took over a Montessori school. With it, came > the existing children and staff. > > Here's my issue...it seems the previous owner/lead teacher > was hardly there (she had another location) and so the > teachers took things easy and in turn, the children have > suffered. I have yet to see one child that has actually > done an activity the "right" way from beginning to end. > > If we can get them to roll a mat properly, they won't carry > it properly. If we get them to carry it, they won't put it > away properly. If they pick an activity from the shelf > (esp practical life), they NEVER EVER put it back in it's > exact spot. The biggest issue is with practical life it > seems and then some sensorial materials. > > When I came in, I tried to get the staff to be more > vigilant with the children and how they use the > materials...it's not consistent...they do it some days, not > others. There's no head teacher per se. I'm a qualified > Montessori, I have another qualified Montessori (a > follower, not a leader so I guess she would be an > assistant), one Montessori assistant and another assistant. > > I'm trying to split my time between the classroom and the > office (fielding calls, inquiries, typing up schedules, > newsletters, arranging fieldtrips etc). I tried to get my > staff to do it, no one seems to take the initiative...all I > ever hear are excuses. > > I want the "ideal" Montessori classroom - within reason > ofcourse...understanding that children sometimes have bad > days... > > Some of the children have been in the school for 2+ > years...others that have just started and then others that > will be starting in September. > > How do I go back to the beginning...having ALL my children > learn how to use materials carefully and properly...work > that can keep them focused/entertained/busy so they don't > disrupt children. > > I do have a mixed age room...ranging in age from 22 months > to 5 years. It's one large room. > > How do I get the staff on board? I fired one staff member > (too much complaining, not enough work, no enthusiasm, > looked miserable all the time and that was even working > with the children...brought team morale down). I was > hoping that it would "scare" the others into pulling up > their socks...but it seems they only do what they are > supposed to...nothing more...there's no initiative and no > enthusiasm... > > I guess the staff can be replaced bit by bit but how do I > fix the classroom? > > Someone mentioned reducing the number of activities on the > practical life shelvs to maybe two-three so children get > used to using the ones that are out and then put them back > where they are supposed to go. Add more as time goes on... > > But what about over-all classroom management/normalization? > > Any ideas...??? > > PLEASE

Mar 30, 2010

report post

maureen I will keep this brief as you have gotten some decent advice already. My thoughts when I read this was that these teachers do not seem to show any signs of being Montessorians. I just can not imagine an authentic Montessori teacher displaying the chararcteristics you described.

On 3/30/10, teacher wrote: > You move forward in a support...See MoreI will keep this brief as you have gotten some decent advice already. My thoughts when I read this was that these teachers do not seem to show any signs of being Montessorians. I just can not imagine an authentic Montessori teacher displaying the chararcteristics you described.

On 3/30/10, teacher wrote: > You move forward in a supporter manner, very slowly and very > aware that you must make you staff feel they are valued and > worthy. You can't tell someone what to do and have them do > it...you need to gain their confidence and trust....and it will > take time... > > You know what is correct..but that has not been the > standard..you need to model the right way to do things and wait > for the change to happen, with a little nudging ... it will be > a very difficult task... > > You can "clean house" and let everyone go...and be the only > teacher until you normalize you class...or you work with what > you have....good luck... > > On 3/28/10, Frustrated wrote: >> Folks >> >> this board has helped me in the last and I'm looking to get >> more help again. >> >> I recently took over a Montessori school. With it, came >> the existing children and staff. >> >> Here's my issue...it seems the previous owner/lead teacher >> was hardly there (she had another location) and so the >> teachers took things easy and in turn, the children have >> suffered. I have yet to see one child that has actually >> done an activity the "right" way from beginning to end. >> >> If we can get them to roll a mat properly, they won't carry >> it properly. If we get them to carry it, they won't put it >> away properly. If they pick an activity from the shelf >> (esp practical life), they NEVER EVER put it back in it's >> exact spot. The biggest issue is with practical life it >> seems and then some sensorial materials. >> >> When I came in, I tried to get the staff to be more >> vigilant with the children and how they use the >> materials...it's not consistent...they do it some days, not >> others. There's no head teacher per se. I'm a qualified >> Montessori, I have another qualified Montessori (a >> follower, not a leader so I guess she would be an >> assistant), one Montessori assistant and another assistant. >> >> I'm trying to split my time between the classroom and the >> office (fielding calls, inquiries, typing up schedules, >> newsletters, arranging fieldtrips etc). I tried to get my >> staff to do it, no one seems to take the initiative...all I >> ever hear are excuses. >> >> I want the "ideal" Montessori classroom - within reason >> ofcourse...understanding that children sometimes have bad >> days... >> >> Some of the children have been in the school for 2+ >> years...others that have just started and then others that >> will be starting in September. >> >> How do I go back to the beginning...having ALL my children >> learn how to use materials carefully and properly...work >> that can keep them focused/entertained/busy so they don't >> disrupt children. >> >> I do have a mixed age room...ranging in age from 22 months >> to 5 years. It's one large room. >> >> How do I get the staff on board? I fired one staff member >> (too much complaining, not enough work, no enthusiasm, >> looked miserable all the time and that was even working >> with the children...brought team morale down). I was >> hoping that it would "scare" the others into pulling up >> their socks...but it seems they only do what they are >> supposed to...nothing more...there's no initiative and no >> enthusiasm... >> >> I guess the staff can be replaced bit by bit but how do I >> fix the classroom? >> >> Someone mentioned reducing the number of activities on the >> practical life shelvs to maybe two-three so children get >> used to using the ones that are out and then put them back >> where they are supposed to go. Add more as time goes on... >> >> But what about over-all classroom management/normalization? >> >> Any ideas...??? >> >> PLEASE

Mar 30, 2010

report post

micki eople, children and adults, will work harder for love than they will for fear. Unfortunately, your act of firing a teacher and your posts here reveal that you are taking the fear route. This is not going to work well for you. Unless you can change your approach and begin supporting the teachers (find SOMETHING positive they are doing, and praise th...See Moreeople, children and adults, will work harder for love than they will for fear. Unfortunately, your act of firing a teacher and your posts here reveal that you are taking the fear route. This is not going to work well for you. Unless you can change your approach and begin supporting the teachers (find SOMETHING positive they are doing, and praise that, just like with kids)you will continue in the wrong direction!

If you truly are a Montessorian the answer is already in your heart.

On 3/30/10, maureen wrote: > I will keep this brief as you have gotten some decent advice > already. My thoughts when I read this was that these teachers do > not seem to show any signs of being Montessorians. I just can not > imagine an authentic Montessori teacher displaying the > chararcteristics you described. > > > > > > On 3/30/10, teacher wrote: >> You move forward in a supporter manner, very slowly and very >> aware that you must make you staff feel they are valued and >> worthy. You can't tell someone what to do and have them do >> it...you need to gain their confidence and trust....and it will >> take time... >> >> You know what is correct..but that has not been the >> standard..you need to model the right way to do things and wait >> for the change to happen, with a little nudging ... it will be >> a very difficult task... >> >> You can "clean house" and let everyone go...and be the only >> teacher until you normalize you class...or you work with what >> you have....good luck... >> >> On 3/28/10, Frustrated wrote: >>> Folks >>> >>> this board has helped me in the last and I'm looking to get >>> more help again. >>> >>> I recently took over a Montessori school. With it, came >>> the existing children and staff. >>> >>> Here's my issue...it seems the previous owner/lead teacher >>> was hardly there (she had another location) and so the >>> teachers took things easy and in turn, the children have >>> suffered. I have yet to see one child that has actually >>> done an activity the "right" way from beginning to end. >>> >>> If we can get them to roll a mat properly, they won't carry >>> it properly. If we get them to carry it, they won't put it >>> away properly. If they pick an activity from the shelf >>> (esp practical life), they NEVER EVER put it back in it's >>> exact spot. The biggest issue is with practical life it >>> seems and then some sensorial materials. >>> >>> When I came in, I tried to get the staff to be more >>> vigilant with the children and how they use the >>> materials...it's not consistent...they do it some days, not >>> others. There's no head teacher per se. I'm a qualified >>> Montessori, I have another qualified Montessori (a >>> follower, not a leader so I guess she would be an >>> assistant), one Montessori assistant and another assistant. >>> >>> I'm trying to split my time between the classroom and the >>> office (fielding calls, inquiries, typing up schedules, >>> newsletters, arranging fieldtrips etc). I tried to get my >>> staff to do it, no one seems to take the initiative...all I >>> ever hear are excuses. >>> >>> I want the "ideal" Montessori classroom - within reason >>> ofcourse...understanding that children sometimes have bad >>> days... >>> >>> Some of the children have been in the school for 2+ >>> years...others that have just started and then others that >>> will be starting in September. >>> >>> How do I go back to the beginning...having ALL my children >>> learn how to use materials carefully and properly...work >>> that can keep them focused/entertained/busy so they don't >>> disrupt children. >>> >>> I do have a mixed age room...ranging in age from 22 months >>> to 5 years. It's one large room. >>> >>> How do I get the staff on board? I fired one staff member >>> (too much complaining, not enough work, no enthusiasm, >>> looked miserable all the time and that was even working >>> with the children...brought team morale down). I was >>> hoping that it would "scare" the others into pulling up >>> their socks...but it seems they only do what they are >>> supposed to...nothing more...there's no initiative and no >>> enthusiasm... >>> >>> I guess the staff can be replaced bit by bit but how do I >>> fix the classroom? >>> >>> Someone mentioned reducing the number of activities on the >>> practical life shelvs to maybe two-three so children get >>> used to using the ones that are out and then put them back >>> where they are supposed to go. Add more as time goes on... >>> >>> But what about over-all classroom management/normalization? >>> >>> Any ideas...??? >>> >>> PLEASE

May 8, 2010

report post

some thoughts I think there are several issues to be addressed.

First, you need a strong lead teacher, who has a core belief and strong understanding of the Montessori philosophy. This lead teacher needs to be present at all times. If you cannot be in the classroom because of office responsibilities, you need to get someone who can. Is it possible to f...See MoreI think there are several issues to be addressed.

First, you need a strong lead teacher, who has a core belief and strong understanding of the Montessori philosophy. This lead teacher needs to be present at all times. If you cannot be in the classroom because of office responsibilities, you need to get someone who can. Is it possible to find someone who can be an office manager so that you can dedicate your time to the classroom, mentoring the other staff, etc.?

Second, what type of Montessori training does your staff have? Did they have a practicum portion in their training, and how detailed was it? It seems that there are several types of trainings now-a-days, with a huge range, from the most familiar (AMI and AMS) to distance learning. Not all are equal.

Do you have a school philosophy and statement? Were changes and expectations discussed with the staff? Do you hold staff meetings and provide staff development opportunities? Perhaps attending a Montessori conference or seminar / refresher would reconnect them to the philosophy.

Do you mentor your staff? Not just in classroom management, but in grace and courtesy lessons, how to observe, etc. By jumping between the classroom and the office responsibilities, the staff may also be experiencing a feeling of chaos.

I also feel that going back, emphasizing the grace and courtesy lessons should be a focus - not only for the children, but for the staff. Remember, it takes quite a while for these to become internalized, and you are already taking existing behaviors and trying to turn them around - again, not only in regards to the children, but also in regards to the staff.

It kind of sounds like you are looking for normalization to be in place so that the classroom operates, when you should be operating so that normalization CAN take place.

Have you done personal growth challenges with your staff? Do they have professional and creative goals they would like to work towards? Can you encourage them to choose something they would like to work towards and provide support and opportunities for them to do so?

Your role as the new owner may be to step out of the classroom as the teacher, and become a mentor to staff, at least initially. It may take a year or longer to get the school, staff and children are cohesive.

May 14, 2010

report post