What do think about working at a Montessori School?

Question

I have the opportunity to possibly be hired at a Montessori school as a preschool teacher. I have only interned in public schools. For those who work at Montessori schools, how does a Montessori school differ from a public school? Do you enjoy working at you Montessori school?

Answer 1

It has nothing to do with religion, as someone mentioned.

Very well written article on this:

http://aaaa.net.au/articles/MontessoriTr...

A lot of it deals with older children, but you get the general idea.  

Being a Montessori teacher is a lot different.  You will not be the focus of the children's attention.  You will, instead, try to not be as involved in the children's learning.  Your job will be to give as much guidance as needed to finish the activity, then withdraw yourself and let the child learn how to work with the material.  It is a hard process to learn how and when to sit on your hands and do nothing and when to step in and help out.  Maria Montessori said:

"Never help a child in a task he feels he can succeed."

She also said:

"The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to say the children are now working as if I do not exist."

It's a new and exciting career move.  I hope it works out for you either way :)

Matt

Answer 2

Montessori schools are great.  The children learn at thier own pace and learn thier own topics.  It actually makes teaching them easier becuase you can gear what you want them to learn  into what they are interested in.  The Montessori School's culture is devoted to helping each child grow toward independence by building confidence, competence, self-esteem and respect for others. More than an approach to education, Montessori is an approach to life. The program at The Montessori School, both in philosophy and pedagogy, is based on the scientific research work of Dr. Maria Montessori and on AMI Montessori training. The School respects children as self-directed individuals and fosters their growth toward independence and social responsibility, while creating a joyful, diverse and family-oriented community.

Answer 3

Montessori is a way of teaching...children are independent in the class for the most part and work at their own pace. They work at "lessons" and move about the class as they wish and work the lessons as they feel they want to.

They are able to decide if they want to work at a math lesson or a science skill.

In public school all kids are working on basically the same lesson at the same time.

You can see the obvious differences here.

In addition, there is more work for a Montessori teacher at times as there can be an age difference in the class of anywhere from 3 year olds to 6 year olds in the same class. This comes with many obvious challenges.

Go to a montessouri website such as ...

http://www.amshq.org/ and check out what they have to say..

I hope this information helps you

I work with someone who is currently in the same place you are and has decided to give it a try!

Answer 4

my half siblings go to a Montessori school. I've only really just walked in there for a few seconds to pick them up. the difference between a Montessori and a public school are simply the Montessori is based around the Cristian god and a public school is not. weather you want to work in one is for you to decide. do you think the schools values are the same as yours? do you like the other teachers that you will work with? just like taking any job you have to consider your options before you take the job or let someone else have it. i hope i helped!