If Maria Montessori started her work with children who had learning differences, why does modern Montessori have a reputation for not serving neurodivergent learners?
If we're truly following the child, what happens when that child doesn't fit our preconceived notions of what a "Montessori child" should look like?
These are the uncomfortable questions Christine Lowry forces us to confront in this paradigm-shifting podcast episode. As a special educator and longtime Montessorian who founded two inclusive schools before "inclusive" was part of our vocabulary, Christine brings both the research and the real-world experience to challenge everything we think we know about who belongs in Montessori classrooms.
Christine points out that most Montessori teacher education programs simply don't prepare educators to work with neurodivergent learners. We fall into habits, especially when stressed, and retreat to rigid interpretations of "what Montessori should look like."
But here's what she challenges us to remember: Montessori education is mostly gray, not black and white. The gray requires reflection, observation, and willingness to experiment: exactly what Dr. Montessori modeled as a scientist.
Our goal isn’t to create the same Montessori classroom in every school, or to do exactly as Montessori did in the 1940’s. Our goal should be to use her methods to serve the unique young people in front of us.
This conversation reveals that inclusion isn't about adding supports for "those kids;" it's about creating environments responsive to human variability.
It's about remembering that we're not trying to create compliant workers, but independent, confident humans who know how to advocate for themselves and support others.
Listen to discover why Christine believes neurodivergent learners are a gift to our classrooms, how a shift in language can transform our practice, and what happens when we finally have the courage to follow every child- not just the ones who fit our expectations.
Want to connect with Christine about professional development or coaching? Reach her at christine@montessori-now.com or find her on LinkedIn.
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First Intention: Curriculum and pedagogy support for Montessori adolescent practitioners, specifically with math and language across the prepared environment.
The Enlightened Educator Project: Supporting educators with mindfulness and resiliency through professional development and downloadable resources.
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