| In
Montessori schools, children educate themselves via
independent activity. Consequently, the role of our
teachers is quite different from that of traditional
educators. During training, the Montessori teacher learns
to observe each child's total development with patience,
curiosity and love. He or she carefully prepares and
maintains an environment which is able to support the
intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of
each child in the classroom. As custodian of the classroom,
the teacher is responsible for the atmosphere and order
of the room, the presentation of materials and for the
educational programme.
However,
the teacher is an important element in the classroom
environment and must display exemplary behaviour without
being obtrusive.
 |
'...
we must be humble and root out the prejudices lurking
in our heart. We must not suppress those traits
which can help us in our teaching, but we must check
those inner attitudes characteristic of adults that
can hinder our understanding of a child.' Maria
Montessori |
At
Cockatoo Montessori School, it is our policy that all
staff participate in ongoing training and reflection,
to cultivate the humility and respect necessary when
working with children. Montessori felt that it was not
enough to have a merely theoretical knowledge of education,
and emphasised the spiritual preparation of the teacher. |
