Clarity is the Key to Success. As a Montessori Leader or Head of School, one of the objectives is to help you and your team achieve the clarity needed to build a world-class Montessori School. If you already have clarity on some or all the aspects listed below, that’s great – keep it in mind when engaging with your community. Otherwise, now would be a good time to pause, think about it, and write down some thoughts below.
What you write should not be set in stone; it will grow and evolve as you progress through the material, but it will give you direction. Embarking on any journey, without a clearly defined direction is akin to setting sail without a rudder – you will be at the mercy of wherever the wind blows.
Clarity of vision is such an important topic; in the meantime, it would be beneficial if you start thinking through the following:
Tim Seldin is the President of the Montessori Foundation and Chair of the International Montessori Council. His more than 50 years of experience in Montessori education, includes 22 years as Head of the Barrie School in Silver Spring, MD. Tim was the co-founder of the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies and the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. He currently serves as the co-Head of the New Gate School in Sarasota, FL. He earned a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Georgetown University; an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from The American University; and his Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society. Tim is the author of several books on Montessori Education, including How to Raise An Amazing Child, The Montessori Way with Dr. Paul Epstein; Building a World-Class Montessori School; Finding the Perfect Match – Recruit and Retain Your Ideal Enrollment; Master Teachers – Model Programs; Starting a New Montessori School; Celebrations of Life; The World in the Palm of Her Hand and most recently Montessori for Every Family with Lorna McGrath.