Montessori schools have long history

Montessori schools have been around for a long time.

They were introduced in the United States in 1912, with Alexander Graham Bell establishing one of the early schools in his own home. The method proved to be successful with American children as it had been with European and Asian children.

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was one of the most outstanding educators in the 20th century. She observed children with great objectivity and her open-mindedness enabled her to discover universal truths about how children develop. The study of children and how adults can best help them in their development became her life's work.

In 1953, Nancy McCormick Rambusch reintroduced the Montessori approach in the United States and now there are thousands of schools in the country. A majority of them are privately owned without tax support. A significant and growing number of public schools are implementing the Montessori approach in some way.

Montessori teachers are required to have a bachelor of art or science degree and then enroll in a Montessori Teacher Training Center. The usual course is one year and includes lectures, demonstrations and an extensive internship.