Montessori education is renowned for its child-led approach, which encourages students to take charge of their learning journey. While adhering to Georgia Standards, Montessori classrooms prioritize interaction and conversation, fostering a deeper understanding of subjects through student-led exploration and curiosity. Fifth grade Lakeview Academy Teacher Erin Smith demonstrated this by coordinating with Georgia Power and Georgia College & State University to come to her class for back-to-back hands on STEAM lessons in electricity and chemistry. "In a Montessori classroom, instead of me up at the front teaching and them at their desks, we do a lot more interaction with each other and more conversations," Smith said.
One remarkable aspect of the Montessori experience is the integration of experts from the community. For example, Georgia Power and Georgia College and State University collaborate with the school to provide enriching experiences. Dr. Catrina Lisse, the Director of Georgia College's Science Education Center, presented her "Chemistry Magic Show" to the class. Dr. Melissa Middlebrooks, Coordinator of Georgia Power's Education Department demonstrated insights into electricity and circuits to ignite students' interest and bring classroom learning to life.
The Montessori program at Baldwin County extends up to fifth grade. Students who have experienced Montessori education from kindergarten onwards exhibit enhanced social, emotional, and academic development, making a strong case for its expansion.
What's striking is how Montessori principles have influenced traditional teaching methods in the district. Erin Smith shares that the more hands-on and interactive approach of Montessori has also been incorporated into traditional teaching practices, allowing students greater ownership of their learning and enabling peer conversations are examples of how Montessori's influence has made its mark.
