Integrity: Our integrity comes from the soul of enthused generalists, who finds deep value in all aspects of life in this universe. Conscious self-restraint allows us to role model the best of human behavior while expressing both passion and joy in a calm and caring environment that honors the individual students’ dignity. Our enthusiasm is tempered by a calm confidence that does not become defensive in the face of questioning and exploration of ideas.

Willingness to follow the child: We watch, listen and communicate to assess and assist each child’s intellectual growth and development of independence. Teaching becomes an act of humility by our willingness to champion the triumphs of each day; remove or ease obstacles; and compassionately encouraging joyful persistence in each child. We willingly step aside to allow the student to take a lead role in the classroom. We patiently and flexibly encourage the student’s concentration, reflection and growth.

Facilitates true learning by setting high challenges and allowing safe mistakes:   Constancy and consistency by the Montessori teacher work together to create and reinforce appropriate boundaries between human beings. This allows a community of co-learners to emerge where children learn both how to reach out for help and how to  offer help. This occurs first within the classroom, but is to be expressed in the wider world as they mature.

Maintains and embraces the classroom as a full partner in service to the child: The prepared environment is orderly and inviting, clean and uncluttered, beautiful and precise. Our job is to connect each child with the classroom environment. The materials in the classroom have been carefully selected to spark the imagination of our students and incite their curiosity specific to their developmental needs and characteristics. We connect our classroom to the universe of possibilities.

Remains a student for life:   We continually seek to grow both personally and professionally. Like all good students, we have both strengths and weaknesses. Through self-awareness and partnership with our colleagues, we can improve our strengths and compensate for our weaknesses. We embrace each other as life-long learners in pursuit of excellence. We work as a team to offer a full and deep expression of the Montessori curriculum while encouraging each other to pursue personal interests to maintain a balanced professional/personal life.

Educates the whole community:  We actively engage parents as our partners; collaborate with our classroom assistants; and communicate the principles of Montessori as clearly as possible. We seek to be a dynamic participant in our community, state and country in service to children everywhere through the conscious practice of the Montessori Method of education.