Once Again, Montessori Gets it Right

I have been doing a fair amount of reading educational literature lately. And, while I am what someone might call a "staunch" Montessorian, I believe it is best practice to keep up to date with what is happening in the educational world elsewhere. It's good to know what is going on in the world of traditional ed because it often affects us, even if indirectly, and it also is great to know where we stand when challenges to our philosophy come up, as they do from time to time.

Recently, I was reading an Edutopia piece on the most impactful education studies from this past year. One that caught my eye was about "warm demanders." In the case that you decide not to read the article and follow the links, a warm demander is described as an educator who holds high standards yet knows the importance of a child's need to feel like they belong and be successful. It got me thinking about my own journey as a Montessori guide, coach, school leader, and consultant. I remember when I was in the classroom with some of the youngest children we serve (3-6 year olds) in public Montessori, where I worked for many years. I remember having what many saw as very high standards. I always followed the child and knew that strong literacy skills would be liberatory for the children with whom I was working. They were often first-generation preschool students, certainly new to Montessori, and their access to programs as they got older that would offer them the tools to find success in higher learning or beyond were ones that they would have to prove themselves to get into academically. What I remember doing as a guide is bookending those challenging lessons, where we were working on literacy skills beyond phonetics or beginning to divide fractions by fractions, by inviting them to support a younger child with work they found to be challenging or baking bread for snack, or caring for the classroom animals. I know so many other guides who functioned in the same way. We saw value in supporting children by taking opportunities to help them see purpose in caring for the community or showcasing strong skills in support of the learning of others.

As a coach (which I still do) I often find that as I work with adults, they, too, need to know that they are successful and capable humans. People involved in a coaching relationship often set lofty goals, and just as with the children, it is big work. So when I am coaching, as we work towards bigger, long-term goals, we also set weekly, easily attainable goals. When people are able to accomplish somewhat "small" goals, they can sometimes find within themselves the push to offer more energy toward larger ones. Those 'remembered successes' help to keep the proverbial train moving.

As a school leader, when doing appraisals with faculty and staff, we always set goals for the year. People were often working toward something that involved challenging themselves to grow. Growth and comfort do not necessarily coexist very well. People were working in uncomfortable headspaces to grow. But keeping those goals people were working toward in mind, it was always vital to me to be sure to share successes that I noticed along the way. One of my well-known tactics was that I would carry around red post-it notes in my pocket. When I stopped to observe, I would write one thing I saw worth celebrating and post it high on the doorframe as I was walking out of the room. For people who didn't know the routine, seeing a red post-it that an administrator left might be cause for a stir, only to read it and see that it was an in-the-moment, non-disruptive appreciation of their work. I think that was one of my favorite ways to share my gratitude with people.

As I have grown, I have taken many of my ideas about working with adults from working with children. I believe that as a Montessorian, I am naturally a 'warm demander'. I was gifted with the knowledge to understand that humans need to feel belonging and need to be and have others recognize their successes. It is a part of being in community.

As I read the study about the impact of the "remembered success effect" on children as they navigate challenging work, I thought, "This is just the way Montessori works." So, I thought I'd share. It's just one more way that current research shows we have been doing it right for a long time.

As you start this new year, I hope you reflect on the many ways that Montessori has taught you to be a warm demander. Give the humans around you the best of yourself and expect the best in return. The love you show them by honoring their needs to feel human through it all will have great outcomes for all. And, if you decide you'd like some support for yourself or your team along the way, I am just a 'free consult' away.

With gratitude,

Hannah