Hi, my name is Sandy Wade, and I'm about to embark on my journey as a Lower Elementary Montessori teacher.  I'm writing this blog for two reasons:  1)  I am trying to get my thoughts sorted out.  Setting up the Montessori classroom is one of the most intimidating things I think I have ever had to tackle.
 Part of it is that I have not done an actual internship, just a few observations.  This job kind of landed in my lap at a school at which I was originally set up to do my internship.  But they had a job opening, and (in this current economy) I would be incredibly silly not to take it.  Plus, I'm lucky enough to have the former teacher still in the school with me, to help me as needed.  On top of that, I will have a teacher's assistant.  While I'm thankful about all of this, I'm still quite intimidated.  Okay, on to the next reason:  2)  I have looked around the web for some advice on how to set up the lower elementary classroom, and haven't found much.  I hope that one day this blog will serve as a pretty good guide for other folks out there that are just beginning on the same journey.

Montessori is so different from traditional, non-montessori classes.  The set up of the room is INCREDIBLY important to the learning.  It really is what everything else revolves around.  I went into my classroom 2 days ago, and all of the shelves and materials were in the middle of the room.  My principal says that I can go in on August 11th, which is in 2 weeks.  Until then, I really won't know what I have and don't have, which is a bit frustrating.  

The most immediate thing that I have to do is send out a letter to the parents.  These parents don't realize that their students will be getting a new teacher; it's a very new development.  I'm sure they are fairly attached to the former teacher, as she has had some of them for 2 years already.  I'm well aware that I will be compared to her, and I just hope I can measure up.  So, I have to figure out how to reach out to those parents well.  I need to word this letter very well, as it will be the initial impression that everyone will have of me.  

I must be honest and say that I was really depending on being able to watch someone for a year, to get an idea of what to do, or even what not to do.  I feel that if I can just get through the 1st month, I'll be on sturdier ground.  It's just that first part that will be super difficult.  I expect I will make it just fine, it's just a matter of really getting in my room to see what materials I actually have to work with.  

I welcome any and all questions/suggestions.  If some of you are beginning this journey with me, maybe we can help each other.

I'll be posting my letter to the parents soon...