River Falls Public Montessori principal Kai Rodgers started by telling the club that Dr. Maria Montessori developed her teaching methods beginning in 1907. Montessori was first woman physician in Italy, and she was also a professor of anthropology at the University of Rome. In 1907 she created a children’s home, Casa de Bambini. One of her innovations was an emphasis on hands-on materials for learning. Her methods started to spread in Europe 1910-20’s, then in the 1920-30’s to North America. Dr. Montessori moved to India in the 1940’s to avoid threats from the Nazis in WW II.
In 2007, the guiding organizations launched a centennial challenge to assure that Montessori education is available to children regardless of socioeconomic status. Today two distinct governing bodies, AMI and AMS, are beginning to work together again. Advocacy groups are working to educate politicians about the benefits of Montessori education methods.
The origin of the Montessori method occurred in Italy when Dr. Montessori observed 3-6 year-olds to determine how they learn. Started with elementary age students. Kai showed us a list of human needs and tendencies that the teaching methods address. Human beings have varying amounts of the various 15 or 16 needs and tendencies at various stages of development. Montessori identified 4 phases of development: ages 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24. Kai showed us “the bulb”, a graphical depiction of brain development in children as they age.
At RFPM, classrooms have 3 grades in the class. Big emphasis on materials that teach various math and language concepts. Lessons are always individualized. The faculty provide a concept of freedom with responsibility. Observing older children is an important way to learn for younger ones.
Kai Rodgers concluded by saying that success of a school depends on: trained Montessori teachers, multi-age classrooms, using Montessori materials, child-directed work, uninterrupted work cycles. She also told us that much research supports the Montessori method. Another fact about RFPM that many of us didn’t know was that the school is a lab school for a UWRF Montessori Master’s. Also, UWRF has the sole doctorate program in the world for Montessori studies. She lauded the SDRF for what the district did for the building, converting the Academy building to house RFPME.
About the Speaker: Kai Rodgers is the new principal of RFPME. Her family of seven claims Red Wing, MN as home. She has taught in both traditional and Montessori schools, and was the Head of School of Red Cottage Montessori in Red Wing for 12 years. She has four degrees - sociology, elementary education, Montessori education, and educational leadership. She loves how Montessori education touches all who have connection to it. She feels Montessori truly helps each individual - young or old - find their authentic self and path as a contributing member of our beautiful, complex world