I remember the feeling of finishing training, having spent two summers and an internship year marinating in Montessori philosophy, practicing Montessori lessons, and forming lifelong friendships with my fellow adult learners. I was truly inspired! Everything seemed possible!
I then stepped into my first teaching position as a lead Guide, taking over a Lower Elementary classroom that was only one year old, and with no other Elementary Guides on my campus. I spent the month before school started assembling shelves, unboxing Montessori materials, sorting grammar cards into their boxes (so many cards!), and making countless Ikea runs for various types of containers and baskets.
That first year, I faced so many firsts. My FIRST first day of school. I remember thinking what do I even do that day? My FIRST back to school night. What am I going to talk about? My FIRST set of parent-teacher conferences. I felt like such a fraud! I didn’t know what to tell them! My FIRST set of progress reports. They took me weeks to write! I was the first one on campus in the morning and the last car to leave the parking lot at night. I made materials at night and on weekends. Being a Montessori Guide was all consuming.
Then there were the situations that came up that I didn’t know how to handle. I thought Elementary students came into Lower El already reading! Isn’t that what we learned in training? Yet I had several struggling readers that first year. What was I supposed to do? I had a student struggling with social skills and another who had regular outbursts. How should I talk about these kinds of things with parents? I had a parent upset that the First Great Lesson included information about evolution. What was I supposed to say to that?!
I had so many practical questions and no one on my campus to ask. Fortunately, I had a family friend who provided mentorship and advice through that first difficult year. Her support probably made the difference between me staying and quitting altogether. Slowly, I found my footing, created systems that worked, and built my confidence.
Montessori Guides should not have to navigate these challenges alone. At the Greenspring Center for Lifelong Learning, we have created virtual Montessori Mentoring Communities at every level to help support you through these critical moments.
Weekly sessions throughout the year provide:
- An opportunity to learn with expert Montessorians empowering you in targeted areas critical to teaching and leadership
- Practical help in real time expediting your progress and growth
- A collaborative community of peers for you to build a network of invaluable partnerships
Although these communities are geared towards new educators and school leaders, we welcome any Montessori practitioner looking for a space to rejuvenate, reflect, and reconnect to our higher purpose.
Join our network of Montessori educators. Fill out your application today for our 2024-25 Montessori Mentoring Communities. Early Bird Pricing is available through April 15th.
