10 Great things about Montessori Education

1. As Montessori Teachers we educate the whole child: not just academic achievement
2. Each child is seen as an individual with unique talents and ways of learning
3. Our children learn through using all of the 5 senses
4. Our goal as Montessori teachers is not give all the answers but to light the spark within the child
5. We observe and then follow the child, our children's interests drive the curriculum
6. Children in a Montessori classroom learn from each other,the teacher is partner in learning
7. The classroom environment is prepared for the developmental needs of each age group
8. Mistakes are encouraged and are seen as part of the learning process.
9. It is a proven method of education with a 100 year history
10. Mixed age groupings promote co-operation not competition

How I became a Montessori Teacher

After graduating college, I worked for a Management Consulting Company in Toronto, Canada. Working in the corporate world was very challenging and interesting but there was a something missing from my life. One day, I was browsing through a night school course calender and the school was offering Japanese lessons. I said to myself....Why study Japanese in Canada, why not go to Japan to study. The next day, I gave my notice and decided to quit my job and somehow find a way to make it to Japan. I found a a program that offered the opportunity to work in a Japanese Jr. High School so I jumped at the opportunity and bought a plane ticket headed to Tokyo, Japan.
I worked at 4 Jr. High Schools teaching ESL in Japan, it was an amazing job, I learned alot about myself and Japanese culture. I also met my lovely wife in Japan. My grandfather got sick so I had to return to Canada for a year. I was going to enroll in the Bachelor of Education program and become a Public school teacher but came across a childrens book about Maria Montessori. I was so inspired that I decided to enrol in the AMS Montessori Elementary program and become a Elementary Montessori teacher.