Perspectives on Montessori: 19 international experts about the Montessori method: The pedagogy of Maria Montessori

A Montessori school is a school that practices the pedagogy of Maria Montessori. For over 100 years, the Montessori method has successfully contributed to the education of children all over the world and the method is still being used daily: her legacy can be found in thousands of Montessori schools in more than 148 countries across the globe. Confirmation that the Montessori method is future proof and ready for the coming century. The Montessori method has been extensively described and has influenced many people working in education. This book is a collection of personal perspectives, providing an insight into the ways in which Montessori has helped to shape how practitioners, school leaders and researchers perceive the purpose, core practices and outcomes of Montessori education. In Perspectives on Montessori, nineteen international experts write about their own vision of the Montessori method. The aim of the book is to highlight and celebrate the success and uniqueness of the Montessori method to inspire and enrich readers with respect to the ways in which the Montessori method is envisioned and implemented. The book also challenges you, our reader, to reflect on your own perspective on Montessori. Edited by Jaap de Brouwer - researcher in the Innovative Education research group at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Montessori teacher trainer and the chairman of the Dutch Montessori Research Group Patrick Sins - Professor of Educational Reform affiliated with Thomas More University of Applied Sciences Authors Beata Beadnarczuk (Poland), Adele Diamond (Canada), Carla Foster, Nina Helen Johansen (Norway), Barbara Isaacs United Kingdom), Chang Lei (China), Angeline Lillard (United States), Hsien-Wei Lee (Taiwan), Marisa Canova, Astrid Steverlynck, Connie Carballo (Argentina), Andre Shearer (South-Africa), Ginni Sacket (United States), Jan Gaffney (New Zealand), Rukmini Ramachandran (India) and Mirjam Stefels, Els Mattijssen, Symen van der Zee (The Netherlands). Our appreciation goes out to Saxion and Thomas More Universities of Applied Sciences who supported the writing and publication of our book. Also, to Joke Verheul of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) who suggested some of the authors and who was helpful in reviewing the contributions. We would also like to thank Chris Willemsen of Nienhuis Montessori who assisted us getting in touch with some of the authors. Kay Dixon was involved in editing all chapters, thank you for improving the English and coherence in our book. Lenard Wolters, thank you for having the patience to publish and distribute our work.