16
2012
Why Men in Montessori?
by David Cannon
A few words...
by David Cannon
by David Cannon
Too few
Come on, guys! You probably like children, women, and making a difference in the world. This work offers plenty of all three! Every workplace benefits from real diversity, and a good mix of women/men in the adult Montessori community is a real plus.
A great second career.
And if you happen to have a background in administration, financial management, facility maintenance or construction, woodworking or other crafts, to name a few, then there are extra opportunities awaiting you in the Montessori world. These things are hard to find and much appreciated in the early-education environment.
Consider elementary level too
If you're not 100% comfortable with the very young ones, find out more about Montessori elementary. Its core is a structure based on science and history; and the children are entering a period of boundless curiosity, enthusiasm, rationality, verbal skill, and energy. Your job is to keep those traits alive, and you'll get good training in how to do so. You'll be able to encourage movement, making things, working in teams, going on outings, and lots of stuff that's not so common in many traditional schools. Public school opportunities in Montessori elementary are growing, and they have great fringe benefits. (You'll probably also find a few more male peers in elementary teaching than preschool.)
