Herstory: Happy Birthday Maria Montessori!

I don’t know if anyone else does but I keep a very close eye on Google doodles as they often send me on a quest for knowledge. Today was no different. Maria Montessori is a woman who rocked! We share herstory.  If you are passionate about or seriously involved in education, you MUST know about her and her methods.

Having attended an all girl’s catholic boarding school, I knew about Maria Montesorri vaguely. She had been mentioned loosely in a TOK (Theory of Knowledge) class; my most-hated subject during my International Baccalaureate years. Interestingly, looking at her I am reminded of my former principal; Sister Rosaline Sheridan, also a catholic, a nun to be precise, educationist and the side I saw of her the most; disciplinarian! As Google chose to honour Maria Montessori today 31st August 2012, her 142nd birthday, I found myself re-discovering her and the contributions she made to education; something very close to my heart.

“Within the child lies the fate of the future. Whoever wishes to benefit society must protect the child and observe his natural ways of acting. A child is mysterious and powerful and contains within himself the secret of human nature. Anyone who wishes to follow my method must understand that he should not honour me but follow the child as his leader.” ~Maria Montessori

Dr. Montessori was of the belief that a radical reform of education was vital to bring peace to the world. Her noble intentions sought to place children at the centre of society in an attempt to make them caring, self motivated and fulfilled individuals. She dedicated her life to this humble cause and her educational values have been embraced across the world in various Montessori schools.

In other words, teaching with spirit!