Montessori preschool teachers do not spend most of their day lecturing and writing on a blackboard the way they do in public schools. Instead, she moves around the classroom, spending time with each child independently, and guides each one along their unique path to education.
1. Model
One of the basic premises of the Montessori Method is that children learn by watching their role models. This includes parents and older children, but a Montessori preschool teacher must always remember that she is a role model for the class and that her actions and reactions are what her class will learn.2. Guide
In the Montessori environment, teachers are usually referred to as guides. The reason for this is that the Montessori preschool teacher will do most of her teaching through careful guidance and redirection. As with the guide at a museum, her job is to maintain order in the class and provide the information necessary for children to succeed.3. Observer
Observation is one of the most critical roles of a Montessori preschool teacher. She uses her observations to constantly alter and update the approach and subject matter she will present to each child. Similarly, the parent-teacher conferences rely on her observations to give parents a clear idea of how well their children are faring in the class.4. Consultant
Montessori teachers are a resource for the children in their charge. They provide educational and emotional guidance, help children work through social, physical, and academic obstacles, and generally act as a sounding board when children need one.5. Mediator
Establishing a relationship with children is vital to effective teaching. Montessori teachers act as a mediator to help resolve disputes, keep peace in the classroom, and enforce the rules so that every child can work peacefully.6. Friend
A Montessori teacher is more than a source of authority. She is there when a knee gets scraped, she holds hands when playing games, and she loves the children she serves. Befriending the children in her care opens the door to trust and communication, and shows children she has their best interests at heart.Additionally, the American Montessori Society requires that all teachers take between 30 and 50 credit hours of continuing education every few years in order to keep their credentials active. This keeps them up to date on educational tools and solutions and makes sure your children are getting the best education possible.
