|
Our Staff
GMS is extremely fortunate to have an
experienced, dedicated and highly knowledgeable staff. Our
Montessori teachers are trained in advanced child development
and early childhood or elementary education. In addition
to a minimum of a BA degree, they must be certified by the
AMI (Association Montessori International), the worldwide
Montessori organization begun by Dr. Maria Montessori to
preserve the integrity of her work.
Classroom assistants are trained by the Montessori
teachers. All of our staff receive ongoing training in education
and related fields, are certified in First Aid/CPR, and undergo
a yearly evaluation and performance review.
Certification
and Licensure
GMS has received AMI Recognition status since
1984, which requires a rigorous annual review process by the
AMI/USA. GMS is the only AMI Recognized Montessori school in
New Mexico. GMS has also achieved the New Mexico State CYFD
(Children, Youth and Families Division) Gold-Level Rating,
the highest level in state certification.
A Guide to the Montessori
Classroom
The Montessori classroom is a
unique environment in many ways. Because the class is multi-age
and the children stay with the same teacher for three years,
the children become a part of a close-knit community. To foster
this at the beginning of each year, we have the returning students
begin on the first day of school, let them settle in for a
few days, and then have the new students join the class gradually,
beginning the next week. This gets the classroom off to a great
start.
New students will begin a few at a time each
week until all have started. This gives the new children some
time to get to know the routine by watching a settled classroom
at work, and the teacher will be better able to meet the needs
of the new child.
The Montessori environment is
often referred to as an "ocean of activity". The
activity of mind and body working together forms the basis
of the Montessori approach. Each of these children is working
at the task of his or her own development. Physical freedom
and psychological freedom of choice help to fix interest and
attention, lead to concentration and prevent fatigue.
|