MILESTONES OF DR.

MARIA MONTESSORIS LIFE

From a young age, Maria Montessori consistently broke out of those proscribed gender limitations.
When she was 14, Montessori attended classes at a boys' technical institute, where she further

developed her aptitude for math and her interest in the sciencesparticularly biology.
She became the first female physician in Italy upon her graduation from medical school in 1896
She was immediately employed in the San Giovanni Hospital
She was asked to represent Italy at the International Congress for Womens Rights in Berlin, and in
her speech to the Congress she developed a thesis for social reform, arguing that women should be

entitled to equal wages with men

In November 1896 Montessori added the appointment as surgical assistant at Santo Spirito Hospital

in Rome to her portfolio of tasks

Marias early medical practice focused on psychiatry. She also developed an interest in education,
attending classes on pedagogy and immersing herself in educational theory. Her studies led her to
observe, and call into question, the prevailing methods of teaching children with intellectual and

developmental disabilities.
She was appointed as co-director of a new training institute for special education teachers. Maria
approached the task scientifically, carefully observing and experimenting to learn which teaching
methods worked best. Many of the children made unexpected gains, and the program was

proclaimed a success.
In 1907 Maria accepted a new challenge to open a childcare center in a poor inner-city district. This
became the first Casa dei Bambini, a quality learning environment for young children. The
youngsters were unruly at first, but soon showed great interest in working with puzzles, learning to
prepare meals, and manipulating materials that held lessons in math. She observed how they

absorbed knowledge from their surroundings, essentially teaching themselves.

Utilizing scientific observation and experience gained from her earlier work with young children,
Maria designed learning materials and a classroom environment that fostered the childrens natural
desire to learn. News of the schools success soon spread through Italy and by 1910 Montessori

schools were acclaimed worldwide.

n 1922, she was appointed a government inspector of schools in her native Italy, but because of
her opposition to Mussolini's fascism, she was forced to leave Italy in 1934. She traveled to
Barcelona, Spain, and was rescued there by a British cruiser in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War.

She opened the Montessori Training Centre in Laren, Netherlands, in 1938, and founded a series of

teacher training courses in India in 1939.

In the years following, and for the rest of her life, Maria dedicated herself to advancing her childcentered approach to education. She lectured widely, wrote articles and books, and developed a
program to prepare teachers in the Montessori Method. Through her efforts and the work of her

followers, Montessori education was adopted worldwide.

As a public figure, Maria also campaigned vigorously on behalf of womens rights. She wrote and
spoke frequently on the need for greater opportunities for women, and was recognized in Italy and

beyond as a leading feminist voice.

She also founded the Montessori Center in London (1947). She was nominated for the Nobel Peace

Prize three timesin 1949, 1950, and 1951.

Maria Montessori pursued her ideals in turbulent times. Living through war and political upheaval
inspired her to add peace education to the Montessori curriculum.

Bibliography:

Biography editors. (n.d.). Maria Montessori Biography. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from
http://www.biography.com/people/maria-montessori-9412528#educational-legacy

Pandleton, R. (n.d.). Maria Montessori Maria Montessori: A Brief Biography. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from
http://www.montessori-namta.org/Maria-Montessori

Maria Montessori Biography And History. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from http://amshq.org/MontessoriEducation/History-of-Montessori-Education/Biography-of-Maria-Montessori