Reflection Leads to Creativity

I can not believe nearly a year has passed since my last posting.  I am saddened that I did not chronicle the happenings of this last year but I was just so BUSY.  I completed my Montessori certification and now that it is behind me I can honestly say it was grueling.  Questioning yourself and the process is endless and tiring.  Maria Montessori encourages Montessori guides to look within and remove your defects.  I try everyday, Maria!  While the questioning and curiosity about the philosophy and myself will never end, I am so glad the training (and my commute) is over.

I was so blessed to have the perfect mentor for me.  Our personalities worked well together.  I already miss her tremendously.  While we did not do everything exactly the same it was wonderful to have a different perspective and admire experience in action.  We transitioned well from being the initial understudy to my running the class by the end of the year.  It was great!

I coached soccer last fall.  Coaching was a great experience and I am excited to be doing it again this fall for my son.  I will also be teaching first grade Sunday school for my daughter.  In addition to these I am starting my own home based Montessori school.

Sometimes I wonder if I take on too much but I am really excited for the school endeavour.  All I can do is try my best.  Starting a school may sound kind of crazy BUT my reality is that I have this amazing training under my belt, I truly believe in this philosophy of education and I was not very happy with my choices in my town.  I am excited to give my daughter the very best that I can give which will be amazing and top notch!

I keep reading that self assessment and reflection are keys to being a creative and better teacher.  Alas, the blog is reactivated and I will be writing about the school progress in terms of curriculum and lesson development as well as the process of starting a business. 

Its been nearly a month since I put word of my school out.  Getting students has been a daunting process.  However when I look at my goals list and all that I have accomplished, I know I can find the strength to keep going, correct the course and I will succeed.

Montessori & Me #6

"...Faults can be made to disappear... neither threats nor promises are needed, but conditions of life." --Maria Montessori in Education for a New World 

Montessori & Me #5

(1) Can you NOT learn if you are NOT developmentally ready?
(2) Can you learn too early?

I'm currently trying to figure this out.

Montessori & me #4

"He must increase, but I must decrease."  John the Baptist quote from "The Secret of Childhood" by Maria Montessori

Heading into my first staff meeting today.  Feel incredibly nervous!

Montessori & Me #3

"Manhood is born within him when his soul becomes aware of itself, when he sets himself a task, finds his way and chooses."

The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori p. 271

It never ceases to amaze me that she is talking about pre-schoolers.  We are imparting so much on our children so young.

Summer 2013

I can not believe that summer is coming to a close!

The big new house is wonderful.  It has been so fantastic to have family nearby.  Its not nearly as stressful to figure out when to go to the store or go for a run.  My husband started a new job and I think that has brought a lot of peace to our home as well since his hours are better.

Montessori courses are over for the summer but I don't feel all that free.  I have a lot of school work to be completed over the school year.  Definitely feeling overwhelmed when I think of it as a whole.  I am trying to think of small goals for myself and then hopefully it will feel a little less overwhelming.  I keep pecking away at things but nothing actually gets done.  The printer runs out of ink, I have to pick up the kids, get someone a glass of milk or I'm just too tired to stay awake, ALL ARE JUST EXCUSES.  Mostly I've been working on these albums.  Albums are a book of lessons with a description of the lesson along with pictures.  I've formatted the pictures for Practical Life and half of Language, Geography is done.  I have the pictures for the remaining albums, Math and Sensorial, but I have to format them.  Plus, write an introduction for all five.  Its really a lot of busy work though and I think I should take a break from that stuff which I can do late at night half awake during the school year.  I think I am going to change gears and apply myself to my philosophy papers.

On to philosophy....

Montessori & Me #2

The truly brightest children need a reason to learn something.