Who is Maria Montessori?
Where does the Montessori curriculum come from? How was it tested? Who is the founder of the Montessori methodology?
Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator. Born in 1870, she was ahead of her time with her ambitions and completed medical school to become one of Italy’s first female physicians. Her early work was in psychiatry, which then led her into education theory. As she developed her materials, which are still present in our authentic Montessori classrooms to this day, the Montessori movement began!
As an Italian woman living and working during the time of World War II, she developed a true belief that the only way to form lasting peace is through education. This belief is held by Montessori teachers to this day and it is the core of the peace curriculum which we practice. She eventually fled to India where she lived for nine years establishing her schools and curriculum along side Mahatma Gandhi.
Today, we see Dr. Montessori’s legacy in the schools and students all over the world. Here at Waseca, we are so proud to be a part of her vision and to work toward her dream of world peace through early childhood education.