March 2002

Hello Anthony,

As you know, I have been on a path to change careers and work
with children for some time now, and I am getting pretty excited that I
might soon be doing work that I will love! Suddenly it is becoming much
more of a 'reality' to me (I am now really starting to see myself BEING
a Montessori teacher!). I am planning to do the Montessori
teacher-training course this June. I have to say that the children in
all of the Montessori schools I've visited so far are just wonderful.
These children are so peaceful, so joyful and independent, so respectful
of each other, so 'absorbed' in their work ... they really seem to love
doing their 'work'. I am truly amazed by the children I've observed so
far. Just for info, the Montessori philosophy comes from Dr. Maria
Montessori (the first woman physician to graduate from the University of
Rome), who started to create (back in the 1920's) this wonderful form of
education found today in Montessori schools all over the world. Maria
Montessori's philosophy of educating the 'whole person' and the soul of
the child truly resonates with me. Sometimes when I'm reading her books
I find myself just catching my breath .. it all makes so much sense! Her
teaching philosophy aims to develop the child not only intellectually
but also emotionally, socially and spiritually. The teaching methods
nurture a true "love of learning" in the children (this is something I
have really experienced in all the Montessori schools I've visited so
far!); the methods allow the children to use all of their five senses
for learning, they nurture independence and self-esteem in the children,
and allow each child to develop at their own rate -- called "follow the
child" philosophy (can you tell that I'm getting quite enthused by it?!
:). Some days I am so excited that I will soon be following my dream (of
doing this as my "soul's work" so to speak! :) that I can hardly contain
myself!

Rondinne

Update: November 2002

My Montessori training is going great but it has taken over my life! I do love being in the classroom though, and am very quickly falling in love with the children :) But boy, has life been busy and hectic. It seems like there are just not enough hours in the day anymore, and I think that feeling is going to last for the rest of my career!!

Hope all is going well with you. Thanks again for the email!

All the best,

Rondinne