Every teacher requires professional development in their term of career.
It is a regular process for school administrators and teachers to sit together and plan the various opportunities to develop professionally that will be helpful to both teachers and students.
But an important question is that while planning your professional development, do you give a thought about the stage you or other teachers are at? Do the information and the structure match your needs?
In short, are we delivering professional development in ways that reflect our Montessori Education teaching practices?
Teachers, for the most part, are active learners who are looking to develop and enhance their teaching skills in the classroom. They do not find difficulty in acquiring new information but in incorporating it into their classroom. In order to develop professionally, you need to understand it and modify your discussions to meet teachers where they are, no matter what stage they are in their career.
One of the biggest differences between Montessori and traditional teachers is the way the teacher handles the child. It is the habit of an adult to take a leadership role with children as they want to keep them safe and protected. In this way, they know or at least think they know the whereabouts of othersand what they’re doing. But Montessori teachers believe that by observing properly, adults can remain informed without having to take the lead.
Come, let us know how a Montessori teacher can develop themselves professionally:
Teachers as Lifelong Learners
One of the best ways to enhance your learning and development professionally is to become a learner yourselves. When students and parents witness you attending conferences they understand that you are properly involved in the Montessori Method. It reflects that you are still curious and want to learn as much as possible. When you students will ask you to “bring us back some good stuff,” meaning, learn something useful to all.
- Peer Mentoring
Dr. Montessori always wished to see children in the role of teachers and role models for other children. This can happen by attending conferences, following this principle, and learning from your peers.
Suppose you attend a workshop that will host more than 100 Montessori teachers, all of whom will be sitting there thinking (and whispering), “Why didn’t I think of that?” You will find some religiously taking notes; others clicking photos of PowerPoint slides with their digital cameras or tablet computers. You will come out of your self-satisfaction and will be energized to go back and bring a new life into your classrooms.
- Surround Yourself with Greatness
Montessori education is the ideal path. Its humanistic approach to accept both children and adults as individuals and does not switch off all those students who are unable to be imaginative and lack creative thinking.
Moreover, simply attending conferences will provide you the opportunity to get much-needed support. Most of the conversations between peers start with “How do you…?”. We all have questions in our minds, whether they are about children, curriculum, or paperwork. Sharing our ideas with others helps us grow both professionally and personally.
Thus, if you are a teacher looking for a career in Montessori Teaching, opportunities in the Montessori field, it is suggested that you look out for professional development by Montessori Teachers Training Courses. You can also develop yourself professionally by attending a conference, local workshop, or observing in another Montessori environment.
Written By : Ruchi Mehta
