Four summers ago, I was beginning my journey of training to become a Montessori teacher. That first summer in Minnesota was filled with lectures on child development, gaining an understanding of the principles and philosophy of Montessori, learning the essentials of a Montessori Children’s House environment, as well as receiving the first elementary lessons.
Loyola University Maryland
Four years later, I am in the final stages of that process, completing a three-week seminar at Loyola University Maryland. I’m enrolled in two classes on-campus–Teaching Students with Exceptional Needs, and Educational Research Methods–and when I return home in a few weeks, I’ll be enrolled in an independent study, in which I’ll complete two papers.
When I first started down this journey in 2005 as a Children’s House assistant, I had no idea that I would end up assisting in an elementary environment, then doing elementary training, then teaching, then discovering that my passions really lie outside the classroom, in my work with families as a doula and parent educator. Despite the rather winding path I have taken, I’m finding that my Montessori training really has been the best possible preparation for connecting with families and children with a deep appreciation for both the diversity and universality of human development.
While I am no longer in the classroom, and probably will not have a career as a classroom teacher (although, I’ve learned to never rule anything out–you just don’t know where life will lead you…), my Montessori training has given me the tools for expansive, connective thinking and action, and has informed every aspect of my work as a doula, educator, business owner, and member of my community, both local and global.
As I finish up these final weeks of study, I find myself in what feels like the third period of a three-period lesson. It’s the part in which all the parts come together and are internalized and synthesized in ways that illuminate the way in which I see the world around and within. While on the surface I’m busy reading about AD/HD, or writing literature reviews and methodology papers, internally, I’m finding that these past four years are being woven together in unexpected ways…all of which make me very excited for my future work.
Which is why the title of this post is not “One Last Summer”. Because, truth be told, I would love nothing more than to return to training at some point soon to do the Assistants to Infancy training. So, while I will revel in the wonderful glow of being “almost done” with this stage of learning, I also eagerly anticipate a new stage unfolding soon…
Enjoy your time at Loyola! I still look back fondly.