Being a Montessori Teacher - Reflections on Life and Work

This book, based on a doctoral thesis, is an attempt to give voice to a group of Montessori teachers by getting them to reflect on their lives and work. Data exploration based on journals, interviews and written reflections has culminated in a collection of occupational life histories. These in turn have been able to shed light on the ways in which personal and professional lives are formed, influenced and developed within an overall historical and cultural context. Of special interest has been to come to an understanding of the underlying philosophical values each Montessori teacher identifies with and the ways in which these influence their professional roles. Insights concerning the changing roles of teachers in contemporary educational contexts can lead to a widening of perspectives, thereby deepening our understanding of the profession. By taking seriously the voices and visions of the teachers themselves, at work in a world where needs and demands are constantly changing, it is believed that much of value can be gained that can lead towards improvement within the teaching profession as a whole.