Be Humble
Goal : Humility
“The first essential is that the teacher should go through an inner, spiritual preparation-cultivate certain aptitudes in the moral order . This is the most difficult part of her training, without which all the rest is of no avail…she must study how to purify her heart and render it burning with charity towards the child. She must put on humility above all, learn how to serve. She must learn how to appreciate and gather in all those tiny and delicate manifestations of the opening life in the child’s soul. Ability to do this can only be attained through a genuine effort towards self-perfection.” -Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori’s view of children was, and continues to be, radical! She saw the creation of man taking place in the child and the importance of our respect for this creation and development. I believe that this respect begins with humility. This method isn’t about us as adults, but about the children! We are in our classrooms to serve the children and be open to learning about ourselves through this work! Everything in the environment is there to meet the developmental needs of the child!
Practical Application
The most profound thing I learned in Montessori training was an approach to dealing with challenges in the Montessori classroom. This approach helps keep the teacher humble and look at our role (and sometimes cause) of these challenges. When a problem arises in your classroom first look at the classroom, then at yourself, and lastly at the child.
Look at the environment
Did I change something in the environment?
Can something be modified to keep this challenge from continuing?
Is there something missing from the environment?
Look at yourself
What role do I have in this challenge?
Am I modeling correctly what I expect out of the students?
Can I change something with myself to improve the situation?
Look at the child
Are his/her physical needs being met?
Is there something going on at home?
What is the child trying to communicate with me?
This approach will help your problem solving stay humble! This week, I challenge you to solve a problem using the above method!
Want to learn more about practicing humility in the Montessori Classroom?
