montessori: special moments

i want to share with you guys something special that happened yesterday at our school. as most of you already know, i work at a montessori school. each year we host an evening for parents or other important grown-ups [grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc], to come to the school with the children so that they can show off and perform a work they are really proud of and confident in. i am sure other schools offer a similar event, such as an open house type experience. however, this event allows children to go into their own classroom, utilize the materials in order to show their family a work [or skill] they are most proud of.

us teachers are there, but mostly, if not entirely in the background. it is a night completely about the students. they come into the classroom, quietly, yet filled with excitement to show mom and dad around their space. they take a work to a table or get out a mat. most parents watch with anticipation. some students will complete the lesson in complete silence others will walk their parents through the work with verbal instructions of each step.

what is so amazing about this evening is that parents truly take it all in. they allow for their child to show them around their classroom, to prideful show off their environment and work. this night is not about correcting minor mistakes or suggesting to chose a more challenging work. it is about the time spent together. the engagement of adults with their child is enough to bring one to tears. it is moments frozen in time. parents can see independence, confidence, and leadership in their children no matter what works they choose off the shelf.
as a teacher who gets to witness all of these sweet moments, it melted my heart. it is reminder of why i am doing what i do. and why our families have chosen to be a part of our school community.

these precious moments are often hard to articulate if you don't understand it. if you are not a part of it. it is hard to even comprehend that a school family can be so united and feel like just that, family. when you and your children spend most of their day at school, shouldn't it be a community? shouldn't the people you share it with feel like family?

Montessori offered so much through her teaching, methods, and theory. the very least i can offer is an inspirational quote. i have worked with children since i was 17 years old. i cannot tell you a more amazing environment to work in. i know that i am a part of a pretty awesome school, it is due to the people that make up our school [staff and families], but also because of our very strong montessori philosophies. we create and live in this environment of grace, courtesy, respect and community.

these misty-eyed moments, tug at your heart moments...are what it's all about.

happiness.

xoxo,
ks

the MANY roles of a preschool teacher

i am a preschool teacher. my day is so busy. it is often a whirlwind. i was thinking about how many different roles i (and my lovely co-workers) have. we are not just teachers, my friends. we do so many things throughout the day, from greeting parents to fixing boo-boos.

so, this is my (short) list of the many roles of a preschool teacher...

greeter. every morning, noon and night we greet parents (and little ones) when they come into the classroom. we ask how they are doing. we are there to welcome them into our classroom.

lunch lady. we serve three meals at our school. some days it feels like 1345 meals. we have to clean the tables, set out utensils, plates, cups, blah, blah, blah.. and then we  have to serve all the food. and of course, if billy wants seconds, we serve seconds. then, once the eating is over, we get to clean up the mess.

janitor. this really needs no explanation. i hope.

disciplinarian. preschoolers are no joke. they bite. they yell. they talk back. but most of this is because they have not learned how to communication in more socially acceptable ways. and all these other ways of communicating for them is all they know ...and they know it works. however, we must be the one who tells them they can't do that and teach them the right way.

nurturer. preschoolers are also very emotional. they miss their mommies. they get upset when a toy is taken from them. scraps are life-altering events for them. so we are there to love on them and make everything right. we give hugs and TLC. we are by their side and give them support through that rough moment, whatever it may be.

boo-boo fixer. a bandaid and ice can fix almost any boo-boo in the world of a preschooler.

garbage lady. i take the trash out far more than i would ever imagine necessary.

milestone witnesser. preschoolers have ALL kinds of milestones while at school. walking. talking. writing. potty training. it is exciting for a teacher to see those milestones and celebrate in them with our preschoolers.

crisis manager. crises can arise fast (illnesses, disagreements among classmates). we have to think fast and act even faster to keep the calm.

creators. i don't do this as much as my co-workers do. however, they must create stuff almost on a daily basis from bulletin boards to newsletters to art projects. and they are awesome at it!

confidants. preschoolers have lots to stay. teachers are there for preschoolers to tell them all of those things they just have to stay. (whether is it true or not, that is another story).

this list probably could go on for miles. being a preschool teacher takes a special kind of person who is willing to change their role constantly to fit the need of their classroom and their preschoolers. that is what makes a great teacher. someone who is willing to be the garbage lady, but also someone who the kids know will always be there to fix their boo-boos and to give them hugs when they need them. those are probably some of my favorite moments of my job :)

xoxo,
ks