Shazia Saleem Roll No.

D - 13003 Module -1

Role of Montessori Teacher

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Vital Tool
The role of a Montessori teacher is that of an observer, whose ultimate goal is to intervene
less and less as the child develops. One of the most vital teaching tools available to
Montessori is observation. Scientifically applied observation skills allow the practitioner
to assess situations, children and strategies without judgment. Observation is a critical
component of lesson planning and management of classroom.

Obviously those who observe children, must not disturb them. The purpose of observation
is to see what child is doing independent of our presence. Observer should remain silent
and motionless. Many times teacher is tempted to show her admiration or annoyance. Thus
we find ourselves faced by real exercise, an exercise which we may call an exercise of
conscious immobility, directed by our willpower.

“She [teacher] observes in order to recognize the child, who has attained the
power to concentrate and to admire the glorious rebirth of his spirit.”

(Maria Montessori)

Controls the environment not the children

Montessori teacher remains constantly alert to the direction each child is heading and
actively works to help them succeed. She creates a well-prepared environment of learning
and inquisitiveness designed to move students from one activity level to the next. She often
steps 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,
she would ask them, how they would solve them, actively engaging children in learning
process and enhancing critical thinking skills. In most cases children learn directly from
Shazia Saleem Roll No. D - 13003 Module -1

the environment and other children, rather than the teacher. Teacher is a dynamic link
between the child and the environment.

One-to-one lessons she prepares must be brief and precise, meant to intrigue minds of
children so that they come back to learn 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.

Have Faith
Montessori teacher avoids reward or punishments for good or poor work. It is only in a
trusting atmosphere, where child’s personality can grow. She protects child’s concentration
and respects him.

Teacher must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself through work.

It’s the adult’s natural instinct to assume a leadership role with children. We want to keep
children safely in line like little ducklings following our lead. That way, we know or think
we know that where everyone is and what they are doing. But Montessori teacher
understands that with attentive observation and a carefully prepared environment adults
can remain in the know without having to be in the lead.

Refocus
Montessori teacher is not center of attention in the classroom. Instead focus is on child
having the right activities and opportunities to maximize his own learning. Their role
centers on the preparation and organization of learning materials to meet the needs and
interests of the child. The focus is on child’s learning not on teacher’s teaching. The teacher
should assist and insist child in finding her strengths and capabilities. When she observes
that a student has mastered a concept or skill she can introduce new lessons.
Shazia Saleem Roll No. D - 13003 Module -1

Cooperative Artist
The ultimate objective of the teacher is to help child to learn how to learn independently
retaining the curiosity, creativity, and intelligence with which they were born. In order to
avoid deviation it may be helpful to remember the metaphor of “midwife” used by Socrates
for teachers. Like the midwife who facilitates the process of birth, teacher’s job is to
facilitate the process of learning, which automatically begins at the provision of appropriate
circumstances.

Giving Lessons
Before giving a work to child, teacher always gives a lesson to demonstrate the activity
while the child watches. She demonstrates in such an angle so that the child sees the work
in your point of view. She lets her finger most of the talking. By speaking very quietly and
when necessary she directs child’s attention to her hands and how they are interacting with
the materials. She exaggerates her movements especially regarding care of materials. She
cuts the lesson short or even allows the child to work without lesson at all.

Refrain
When the child begins to show interest in his work, teacher (directress) must not interrupt
because this interest corresponds with natural laws and opens up a whole cycle of activities.
But the first step is so fragile, so delicate that a touch can make it vanish again, like soap
bubbles and with it goes all the beauty of that moment. The greatest sign of success of
teacher is to be able to say: The children are now working as if I did not exist. Teacher
should do her best to remove her own egos and personalities from the lesson. However it
is also important to establish a very real, physical human connection with the child,
otherwise a robot will be giving the lesson. Research shows children who receive more eye
contact and verbalization from their parents develop better interpersonal skills and have
higher vocabularies.
Shazia Saleem Roll No. D - 13003 Module -1

Ultimately teacher have to be spiritual solution of all problems of each child.

References

https://www.childoftheredwoods.com/articles/give-fabulous-lesson-like-
montessori-teacher

http://northstarmontessori.ca/montessori-philosophy/role-of-teacher

https://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/...to-Montessori/Montessori-Teacher

www.starwoodmontessori.com/role-teacher-montessori-schools/

http://ageofmontessori.org/five-things-that-montessori-teachers-do-differently/