Ask a Montessori Teacher: Why Montessori Doesn’t Stop at the Classroom Door

 

One of the hardest parts of teaching in a Montessori environment has nothing to do with the children.

It’s the adults.

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Not because they don’t care — but because schools are complex ecosystems. Children move between classrooms, playgrounds, lunchrooms, and specials, often supervised by adults who were never trained in Montessori philosophy.

And yet, children are expected to behave as if expectations never change.

Consistency is not control — it’s safety

Children feel safest when the world makes sense.

When the expectations in the classroom suddenly disappear outside, children don’t become “more free.” They become unsure. They test boundaries not because they are defiant, but because the environment has shifted.

This is where the classroom teacher quietly becomes a bridge.

The invisible work teachers do

In many schools, there are adults I think of as auxiliary teachers — playground attendants, lunch aides, specials teachers.

They may not plan lessons, but they are deeply involved in children’s daily experience.

Aligning with them matters.

When children know that expectations are shared — that they are not allowed to act one way with one adult and another way with someone else — trust is built. The message becomes clear: the adults are united in keeping you safe.

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Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES

 

 

A Montessori Teacher’s Coffee Chat: Readiness, Burnout & Letting Go

 

In this coffee chat, I’m sharing honest reflections from my Montessori preschool classroom—what’s working, what’s not, and what I’m learning about readiness, expectations, and work–life balance.

With family conferences approaching, I’ve been thinking deeply about questions many teachers quietly carry:

– Are children truly ready for kindergarten?

– What happens when students don’t naturally gravitate toward academic work?

– How much should we guide

—and how much should we let go?

I talk about counting songs, rainbow letters and numbers, the beauty (and cost) of Montessori materials, and the reality of teaching children who haven’t yet developed a love of numbers or letters. I also reflect on burnout, conference prep, assistant teacher dynamics, and how teaching can quietly consume your entire life if you let it.

This video is for Montessori teachers, early childhood educators, and anyone trying to find a healthier relationship with their work—without losing the joy of teaching. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

How do you pull back without giving up?

#MontessoriTeacher #TeacherLife #EarlyChildhoodEducation #TeacherBurnout #WorkLifeBalance #MontessoriReality#montessori #teachervlog #teacherlife #worklifebalance #dayinthelife

Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES

Ask a Montessori Teacher: What Rules Do Children Actually Need at Recess?

 

Recess is often where adults loosen their grip and hope for the best. But in reality, outdoor environments are some of the most complex spaces children navigate. They’re louder, faster, and less contained. Without shared expectations, they can quickly become unsafe — emotionally and physically.

Montessori does not mean “no rules.”
It means intentional agreements.

Begin with conversation, not correction

Before children ever step onto a playground, we need to meet together and talk.

What do we do when a friend needs help?
What do we do when we need help?
How loud is appropriate outside?
What sounds should we listen for if an adult needs our attention quickly?

These are not rules imposed from above. They are agreements formed in relationship.

I often ask children what the rules are at home when they play outside, or what they remember from other schools. When we put ourselves in a posture of learning alongside them, something important happens: trust is built. Children see that we are not pretending to have all the answers — we are learning how to care for one another together.

READ MORE

 Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES

 

 

A Real Day in the Life of a Montessori Teacher (Classroom, Canva & Side Income)

 

In this video, I’m sharing a realistic day in my life as a Montessori teacher — from creating handwriting extensions in Canva, to preparing classroom materials, to working on my reselling business after school. This isn’t a perfectly curated routine. It’s an honest look at how I move between teaching, creating materials for children, and building multiple streams of income as an educator.

You’ll see:

-How I create handwriting extensions that connect vocabulary, images, and real classroom work

-A look at Montessori shelf setup and material extensions

-How I batch-create classroom resources in Canva

 -Behind-the-scenes of my clothing reselling workflow

 -How I think about work–life balance as a teacher (realistically) If you’re a teacher trying to make teaching sustainable — financially, creatively, and emotionally — you’re not alone.

💛 I also write honestly about teaching, burnout, and work–life balance on Substack (linked below).

Let me know in the comments if you want to see more classroom walkthroughs or behind-the-scenes of how I build materials.

#montessori #teachervlog #teacherlife #worklifebalance #dayinthelife

Are you needing some support with how to structure your classroom? As a Montessori teacher, I understand that feeling of overwhelm! I have created a detailed lesson plan to 'hold your hand' through each day.  These lesson plans can either be used to jump start how to create the rhythm of the classroom (monthly) or I have a full year plan that can then be used for a 3 year cycle.

Montessori Daily Lesson Plans 

Montessori INSPIRED Lesson Plans 

 

LOOKING FOR ART LESSONS FEATURING DIFFERENT ARTISTS? 

Link to my FREEBIES