The Waterdown Montessori School teacher is responsible for providing a Montessori classroom/instructional program that supports the individual needs of the children in accordance with the School’s mission and vision. The Waterdown Montessori teacher creates a well-prepared environment and an atmosphere of learning and inquisitiveness designed to move students from one activity and level to the next. You will step back while the children are working, allowing them to learn from their own discoveries and draw their own conclusions. Rather than supplying children with answers, you will ask them how they would solve the problem, actively engaging children in the learning process and enhancing critical thinking skills.
Dr. Montessori believed that the teacher should focus on the child as a person rather than on the daily lesson plans. Although our Montessori teachers plan daily lessons for each child, s/he must be alert to changes in the child’s interest, progress, mood, and behavior.
Subjects are interwoven and you must have a general understanding of history, art, music, math, astronomy, chemistry, physical geography, language, physics, geometry, and practical life works. As one of our teachers, you will give one-on-one or small group lessons and spend little time giving large group lessons. Lessons are brief and precise, meant to intrigue the minds of children so that they come back to learn more on their own. Montessori lessons center around the most basic information necessary for the children to do the work: the name of the materials, where it can be found in the classroom and on the shelf, how to use the materials, and what can be done with them.
Teachers at Waterdown Montessori School are scientific observers of children. They avoid using rewards and punishments for good or poor work. You will never criticize or interfere in a child’s work and we recognize that it is only in a trusting atmosphere that a child’s personality has room to grow. Children must have the freedom to choose their own activities and learn to behave without restriction.
