It is great to be part of a world-wide movement being able to celebrate the Centenary next year, of the Opening of Dr Montessori’s first Children’s House in the San Lorenzo slums of Rome in 1907. An exciting trip from Australia to the Montessori Centenary Congress, and a tour of Montessori sites in Italy and Holland has been organized, so we will look forward to hearing experiences from Jenni Kaye (Newcastle) – and from any others who go.
From those early beginnings, Montessori education has spread throughout the world. It has influenced the lives of probably millions of parents and their children, some of whom have become leaders in many different fields of endeavour. One of the most endearing personalities to pay tribute to Dr Montessori was Helen Keller, whose teacher, Anne Sullivan, had led her to communicate through her tactile sense, when other senses were not functioning. On 15 July, 1913, Helen and Anne sent a photograph of themselves to Dr Montessori, with an inscription in Helen’s own hand: “To Dottoressa Maria Montessori with our admiration and gratitude…”.
The marking of this Centenary gives us an ideal opportunity to promote Montessori Education and MWEI on a national level. Our Graduate Diploma offers an extra level of professional development, and I feel the time has come, and is favourable, to stimulate greater awareness of Montessori education to the general population, and to bring changes into effect that will bring about a better world. This should lead to a greater demand for places in Montessori Schools, as well as greater interest from parents and teachers, but we need to spread beyond our Montessori enclaves, to extol this form of education which will help all children, and solve many social and disciplinary problems along the way! As a (very small) means to this end, I am conducting a workshop session at the National Indigenous Education Conference in Newcastle at the end of November, on “Montessori – an Effective Literacy Programme”, and I also have an appointment with the Ministry of Education in Canberra. I would urge everyone who loves Montessori, and can see the possibilities, to contact local politicians, education authorities, media, etc., and to use every avenue possible, to make a real impact on our community and society. Why ?
We have the answer! We have to inspire people to want Montessori education. If we all work in our own small corners, we will realize the truth of Helen Keller’s words: “The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”
As we look to the future, we want to bring to fruition the labours of Dr Montessori and her followers over the past 100 years … to go back to the roots, and fully understand Montessori’s philosophy. Only then can its principles and practices be demonstrated in our own conduct, and in our love and respect for children, educating them to bring about a peaceful new world. Our enthusiasm for Montessori must be inspirational and contagious, and produce changes to parenting, teacher-training, and community responsibility, so that all children can benefit.
“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire ‘to make him learn things’, but by the endeavour always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence. If to this end we must consecrate ourselves …… it will be a work worthy of so great a result.”
[Advanced Montessori Method, 1917]
"We are the sowers - our children will be those who reap. To labour that future generations may be better and nobler than we are - that is the task without egotism and without pride. Let us unite in this work then ….."
- Maria Montessori. 1st June, 1917
Some famous people connected to Montessori over the years, include:
There are more notable events and people listed on the Timeline of the Centenary Supplement of the “Montessori International” magazine from UK.
SOME FAMILIAR NAMES - Here are just some of the people who have had Montessori education and ‘made their mark’:
Many prominent people chose Montessori schools for their own children:
(Also see www.montessoricentenary.org . There are also Media Resources on this site, and a number of ideas under “Worldwide Celebrations”. Other ways to celebrate can be found in all the 2006 issues of “Montessori International”: www.montessorimagazine.com)
Most of you will probably have a number of projects under way already, but here are a few other suggestions involving the community.
The Greatest Woman In The World (by W A author, John bishop) follows Maria Montessori's life from her failed attempt to enrol for engineering, through her student days and graduation as a physician, activities as a feminist orator, employment in institutions where her observations led to unexpected success in the education of the intellectually handicapped and, finally, to her development of the Montessori method. It also deals with her relationship with the son who eventually became her greatest supporter.
The play was given its premier production in 1987 by the Theatre Arts Department at Curtin University in Western Australia. The production used theatre professionals working with students. The critical reception was excellent and the production created an attendance record at the University's Hayman Theatre. Subsequently, Melbourne Theatre Company gave a public reading which attracted a large audience, an enthusiastic reception, and lively discussion. A later version was listed by the Australian Script Centre in its "Readers' Choice" category.
At the time the play was first presented, the resurgence of Montessori education in Australia was in its early stages and, although several professional companies believed the play worked well as pure drama, the minimum requirement of eight actors was a budgetary concern.
The Centenary of Montessori Schools in 2007 is an opportunity to use the play to celebrate the life and enhance the public profile of the woman whose name has become so linked with early childhood education. The play had its origins in the playwright being asked why he sent his sons to Montessori Schools. During his research he became so fascinated by the woman that, instead of writing a play about a system of education, he wrote about her.
"Why did you abandon me, Mama?"
For half a century Maria Montessori has avoided the question. But the sparkling young woman who smashed glass ceilings and was introduced to a packed Carnegie Hall as "the Greatest Woman in the World" is now vulnerable and old. As she turns the pages of her scrapbooks, re-living her glorious but controversial past, her son, Mario, probes for answers to the mysteries of his early life. The result is cathartic for both of them.
John Bishop, 51 Rockton Road, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Phone/Fax: 08 93866701 email: bishop@iinet.net.au
MWEI is liaising with John Bishop and Hywel Williams regarding the production of “The Greatest Woman in the World”. “Agelink” in WA has confirmed it can mount a professional production at the Subiaco Theatre Centre to open at the beginning of November 2007 (probably Wednesday 1st) and run until Saturday 18th which would allow a minimum of 19 performances including three Saturday matinees. If you are interested in doing something similar in your area, please contact John Bishop. A centenary souvenir incorporating a programme is also being planned.
If you are interested in organising this production in your State, please contact John Bishop.
If you wish to know more about MWEI (Aust) workshops and demonstrations in Australia and New Zealand, please Contact MWEI.
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