Teachers Make a Difference

Yes.
Just in case you haven't been reminded lately, you do make a difference.
Thanks for being a teacher.



Understanding Montessori in Early Childhood Education

Children have to be educated, but they have 

also to be left to educate themselves.  

~Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928

I have had the opportunity to have Montessori training and it is quite fascinating. It is a very organized way of thinking and learning and children are viewed as ‘working’. Although in Developmentally Appropriate Practice it is often said that a child’s work is their play, the word "play" isn’t used here in this environment even though the children learn and have fun. It is my own opinion that Montessori is often misunderstood because any school can give themselves a ‘Montessori’ title simply because it isn’t trademarked. Not a lot of families really know what to look for in a school or a teacher….hence, the misunderstandings….

One thing I look for is the AMS, The American Montessori Society. Teachers usually have evidence of their training posted in their classroom and know who the AMS is. A seasoned directress knows how to use and instruct the children.
With any good quality early childhood program, check it out thoroughly.
One very dedicated Montessori teacher that has really touched my heart has been Ms. Mars. I urge you to check out her blogsite on blogger;
Montessori in Mars   
You'll get the idea of what Montessori is about on her site.

Daredevil Behavior in Early Childhood Education

 

“Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics.”~Anonymous

Uh….Yeah.
The second thing that actually comes to mind is that anyone that works in the field on education truly deserves a round on applause.
We are highly trained professionals when it comes down to it. Synapses firing like locomotives when a child is in distress…or…has gotten themselves in distress…..ahem.
So we’ve all see them… infants, kids or preschoolers that get into activities a bit more than others. Daredevils…or…well sometimes I don’t know what to call them other than the paramedics.
I wasn’t this type of child…I was smaller than most, so I guess before I could get into something I was mowed down or picked up and hurled out of the way….those were my type of injuries.
You know, the best lessons can be learned when every one was affected by a situation and can remember it for years to come…..(it is always my hope that it is positive outcome and usually has some humor in it).
I can tell a child is about to do something pretty off the wall by their facial expression…it’s about then I move in closer and make eye contact letting them know, ‘Are you sure that idea will hold together? May want to put a little rebar around it and rethink it again…’

What are some experiences you have had?

Obama on Early Childhood Education

"Children are not stupid, if they show up at school and start feeling that they are behind-over time that leads them to push away from education because it's embarrassing to them...."

~Barack Obama

What Mr. Obama said really made me think about how and why I put in so much extra time into children, the families, and the curriculum...why I do what I do.

I keep thinking....I can do more....
I guess that's what keeps many of us going for so long.

The Edublog Awards-Nominate by Dec. 8th!

The Edublog Awards are taking nominations
Don't forget to vote for your favorite blog!
Mine is:

Life Skills 411
http://lifeskills411.org/blog/
*Best Group Blog
*Best educational use of a virtual world
*Best student blog
AND

Life Skills 411
http://lifeskills411.org/
*Lifetime Achievement
*Best educational use of a social networking service
*Best educational use of a virtual world
Vote by December 8th!

The Honorable Mentions

"There is always one moment in childhood when the  door opens and lets the future in." 

~Graham Greene, The Power and the Glory 

 

Something my father told me really helped me as I became a teacher.
I came home from school one day with my third, 'Honorable Mention' ribbon. I was really disappointed. I never quite seemed to make first place, or second or third place....I was always mentioned last.
"Why do you complain when you are given such an honor? He questioned me with concern,"Look up, 'honorable' in the dictionary and you tell me what it means."

Honorable; Of high rank, dignity, or distinction: noble, illustrious, or distinguished. Upright.

I went back to my father and smiled.
"Why does my teacher always hand out the 'Honorable Mentions' last, then?" I sighed as he put his arm around me.
"Good question," He said smiling back at me. ( I really liked it when he said I had a good question). "This world is backwards sometimes, first is last and last is first-remember not to forget."

I was eight-years-old.

I still strove to be the best I could be...but when my name wasn't called it wasn't always so bad.

I suppose as we get older there is depth to what we learn and remember as children. I remember the comforting words of my dad...back then, and that being last is okay.

Now as an adult I can see what it means to truly give of yourself. To sacrifice of your time, energy, and to love and not expect anything in return. 

I guess if you do stand still in life you wind up walking backwards....

Building, moving on, success.....for all us Honorable Mentions out there.

That's progress.