I'm a DC Montessorian. AMA.

[Anonymous]

Agree with 20:50. People are complicated. You cannot always look at just one thing to decide if a teacher is/can be good. OP, I am afraid that you think too highly of yourself and your own decisions. There is not always one right answer. Hmmm, come to think of it, that is my issue with the Montessori method-only one right answer. The world is not constructed that way. It is much more complicated. Let's teach our children to think creatively and out of the box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what concerns would you have when it comes to a very small Lower Elementary class? My kid is in Primary now, but will be transitioning soon (likely at some point during this school year since she's ready). However, our school doesn't have very many 'big' kids left and while the much smaller class size seems pretty awesome, I'm wondering how small is too small.

How big are we talking? -OP

Well, the proportions are very, very similar to the thread that PP just linked above me.

And the Lower El class is about 10 kids. Maybe.

I'm concerned about DD being one of 2 or 3 K-age kids in a large group of younger kids. She is ahead in several areas and I was told to expect a move mid-year this year, but I'm worried about backsliding in behavior or not getting the attention and instruction she needs to take the materials to the next level. I've already seen some behavior that I haven't seen since she was late 3 and I'm not sure if it's just due to the change in routines and the beginning of the school year or because half the 3yos in her class are doing the same thing. Probably a combo of the two. She's also complaining about not getting to do some of the material she was doing at the end of the year last year. We also have a new teacher this year, which adds to it.

I'm not as concerned about a tiny Lower El class, although it will still be skewed towards the younger end, not many 7 and 8 year olds and is not ideal.

Give it a few weeks so she can adjust and the teacher can get a better gauge on where she's at. The beginning of the school year is always funky- but keep us updated here!

A small lower el class should be perfectly fine. I really wouldn't worry. Hopefully the program will be growing, yeah? Or is this as big as it gets?

-OP

We have a similar situation and a teacher who is very difficult to communicate with (insists on setting up an appointment to answer even the simplest of questions). How long should we let her take to gauge where DC is at? I'm concerned that my child is moving backwards and the 3 year olds are dominating the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 20:50. People are complicated. You cannot always look at just one thing to decide if a teacher is/can be good. OP, I am afraid that you think too highly of yourself and your own decisions. There is not always one right answer. Hmmm, come to think of it, that is my issue with the Montessori method-only one right answer. The world is not constructed that way. It is much more complicated. Let's teach our children to think creatively and out of the box.

So you're comfortable with letting your child be taught by someone who did an online-only program that anyone can sign up for? That requires no student teaching or real-world application before receiving a diploma?

[Anonymous]

23:03-it depends on the person. A teacher needs much more than a diploma or student teaching. Plus, this is preschool! Do you have a diploma in being a mom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:03-it depends on the person. A teacher needs much more than a diploma or student teaching. Plus, this is preschool! Do you have a diploma in being a mom?

Well.... I'm not a Montessori trained, but I'm a Director and had teachers with degrees and without them. While both types of teachers can be great, in general, there is something different about someone who has pursued and received a BA degree over someone who never has. However, I'll also say that you HAVE TO, simply MUST, have a good way of working with children that doesn't come from education. It must start with a love of children, a deep sense of their importance, that they matter, and a teacher must thrive on the relationship she has with children (whether infants, toddlers, preschoolers or older). So you can have all the degrees in the world, but if you don't know how to work with children in the real world (vs on paper, in text books) you aren't going to be a good teacher. BUT for those who have that ability to work with children, education, workshops and more knowledge can only make that teacher better, give her more information, allow her to expand her knowledge of different techniques, learning styles, etc.

For Montessori, there is a specific methodology that must be taught so they know how to lead the classroom properly. Whether you like it or not - that's the truth - there is a particular system, methodology, etc. and if it's not done that way then it's not Montessori - might be a great program with some great materials, but not Montessori.

Now, whether we're talking about Montessori or non-Montessori, I wonder about online programs that don't require student teaching or in-class experience at all. Experience with children can be done by working with children in a school as an Assistant Teacher, Aide, etc. so it's not the be-all, end-all, but the truth is, guiding a group of children is difficult to do if you don't have experience doing it. And if you've only ever read about it, doing it in real life is very different! Ask a new teacher...s/he will tell you.

Being a parent and being a teacher are very different things, both needing similar and yet different skills. Getting 1 child dressed - or 3 children dressed of different ages - and ready to go in the morning is not the same as getting 16-20 children dressed and out the door to the playground. Both are hard but also different. You have to create systems for both, but they are different systems. Even reading to a child is different at home vs. at school - have you ever had 10 or more children crowding around you all jostling to see the book and upset they can't? So without managing their behavior every 3 sentences, how do you plan ahead, create an environment, etc. such that reading a book to a group is enjoyable, a learning moment, and not fraught with upset?

And, frankly, sometimes I think everyone could use some more training - teachers and parents! I know I certainly learn new things every day as I'm exposed to new information, read research, speak with colleagues, etc. And I also know that if I'd been lucky enough to have children, my ECE knowledge and my experience as a teacher and director would not have fully prepared me for motherhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:23:03-it depends on the person. A teacher needs much more than a diploma or student teaching. Plus, this is preschool! Do you have a diploma in being a mom?

Well.... I'm not a Montessori trained, but I'm a Director and had teachers with degrees and without them. While both types of teachers can be great, in general, there is something different about someone who has pursued and received a BA degree over someone who never has. However, I'll also say that you HAVE TO, simply MUST, have a good way of working with children that doesn't come from education. It must start with a love of children, a deep sense of their importance, that they matter, and a teacher must thrive on the relationship she has with children (whether infants, toddlers, preschoolers or older). So you can have all the degrees in the world, but if you don't know how to work with children in the real world (vs on paper, in text books) you aren't going to be a good teacher. BUT for those who have that ability to work with children, education, workshops and more knowledge can only make that teacher better, give her more information, allow her to expand her knowledge of different techniques, learning styles, etc.

For Montessori, there is a specific methodology that must be taught so they know how to lead the classroom properly. Whether you like it or not - that's the truth - there is a particular system, methodology, etc. and if it's not done that way then it's not Montessori - might be a great program with some great materials, but not Montessori.

Now, whether we're talking about Montessori or non-Montessori, I wonder about online programs that don't require student teaching or in-class experience at all. Experience with children can be done by working with children in a school as an Assistant Teacher, Aide, etc. so it's not the be-all, end-all, but the truth is, guiding a group of children is difficult to do if you don't have experience doing it. And if you've only ever read about it, doing it in real life is very different! Ask a new teacher...s/he will tell you.

Being a parent and being a teacher are very different things, both needing similar and yet different skills. Getting 1 child dressed - or 3 children dressed of different ages - and ready to go in the morning is not the same as getting 16-20 children dressed and out the door to the playground. Both are hard but also different. You have to create systems for both, but they are different systems. Even reading to a child is different at home vs. at school - have you ever had 10 or more children crowding around you all jostling to see the book and upset they can't? So without managing their behavior every 3 sentences, how do you plan ahead, create an environment, etc. such that reading a book to a group is enjoyable, a learning moment, and not fraught with upset?

And, frankly, sometimes I think everyone could use some more training - teachers and parents! I know I certainly learn new things every day as I'm exposed to new information, read research, speak with colleagues, etc. And I also know that if I'd been lucky enough to have children, my ECE knowledge and my experience as a teacher and director would not have fully prepared me for motherhood.

Beautifully explained!

-OP

PS: It's never just pre-school. I deeply value early childhood, and will never dismiss it. That being said, I opened up this AMA to discuss Montessori in it's full use, not limiting myself to pre-school. I'm sure you would agree that someone with training and a degree should be teaching when it comes to the upper (K and up) grades? And seeing as classes are mixed, naturally, the more intensive the training, the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:03-it depends on the person. A teacher needs much more than a diploma or student teaching. Plus, this is preschool! Do you have a diploma in being a mom?

I'll also add that I never said that they didn't need more than this, thank you. The more thorough the training, the better for all.

[Anonymous]

what about a Primary Montessori certificate from
the Northeast Montessori Institute?

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts about NE Stars Montesstori? It's a small program and we are interested in it and would love to know if you've heard of it and whether its reputation is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts about NE Stars Montesstori? It's a small program and we are interested in it and would love to know if you've heard of it and whether its reputation is good.

It has an extremely poor reputation among the Montessori community. There's a separate forum for it- I'd ask there for all the specifics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what about a Primary Montessori certificate from
the Northeast Montessori Institute?

Which one?

[Anonymous]

Where is the monotessori forum so I can learn about NE Stars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about a Primary Montessori certificate from
the Northeast Montessori Institute?

Which one?

http://www.nemontessori.org/early-childhood/north-shore/

The academic course work for the Early Childhood program on the North Shore begins with a four-week summer session, held at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Classes are scheduled between 8:30 and 5:30 Monday through Friday....

[Anonymous]

OP: thanks for all of the great information that you have shared here. I have really appreciated and benefited from this forum (which is not something that I frequently say about DCUM).

My child, who has just turned three, recently started at a public Montessori school here in the District that has a good reputation. We believe that Montessori is a good fit for him because he enjoys independent learning. And, like you, I have had my doubts about corporate Montessori and suspected that they would be motivated to push down teacher salaries and push up tuition (in search of improved profit margins). Your own experience on this subject seemed to confirm my suspicions. Because of those suspicions, we were very happy to be accepted to a public Montessori school and to be able to avoid corporate Montessori.

And while we were thrilled to be accepted to this school, there has been a lot for us (as parents) and for my child to adapt to, much of which has already been discussed on this forum. Infrequent teacher communication w/ parents, parents generally not entering the classroom for dropoff, our child needing to take himself to the bathroom, etc. It has all been an adjustment for us but okay. However, far and away the biggest adjustment for me is the very high student:teacher ratio. The class has 28 students with two teachers (both are lead, qualified teachers), which is 14 kids for every teacher. While this forum has earlier discussed that the large class size is indeed the Montessori way, and I understand that, I just don't understand what is good about it or why it works for kids. In particular, I worry that my just-three year old gets very little personal attention. (And of course, like most parents, I worry that my little duckling will be forever damaged by this, which I know is ridiculous but EC is important). I keep trying to tell myself to trust the school and the system -- but it is hard to do so when the high student:teacher ratio flies in the face of what conventional wisdom says is important for ECE, which is a low student:teacher ratio.

Can you explain why a high teacher:child ratio and large class size works in Montessori? Do children, especially the little ones, get enough personal attention in this setting?

[Anonymous]

28 kids and 2 teachers is a lot.
My child is at "corporate Montessori" with 26 kids and 3 teachers. I think that's big.