I hope your summer is awesome! The new school year is upon us. As I reflect on the coming year, I am reminded of my love and passion in Montessori. This summer, I chose to travel to the Philippines and Bangkok to spend time with friends and family. It was very exciting and rejuvenating! However, I was also reminded of last summer when I volunteered to train teachers in India for a month. It was the best experience personally and professionally.
Did you think I would fly all the way to India and not try to find Montessori schools to observe? Ha! Not a chance! =) After walking all over Bangalore during a day off from the fellowship, I was able to find two schools that allowed me and a colleague to observe active classrooms.
It was very refreshing to see the familiarity of the Montessori approach applied in the schools we observed. It gave me comfort that Montessori is universal. The grace and courtesy, respect and community transcends throughout the school and the people that comprise them.
I can't wait to continue my collaboration with the Montessorians I met in India. One of the most amazing people I met is Sumathi Ma'am. Shumati is the chairman of The Indian Montessori Center. She is also the owner of Discover Montessori in Bangalore. She was so welcoming and her educational purpose is incredibly inspiring! I have maintained communication and friendships with the fellows and Indian teachers I've met. They continue to reach out to me for advise and recommendations. I know I am helping them but they are doing the same for me. I am a better educator because of the wonderful teachers that I meet along the way!
I am energized to start the school year with all of you! See you at school!
Please enjoy the few pictures that I was allowed to take:
