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.

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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 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

 

How Much Freedom Should Children Really Have?

This is one of the first questions new teachers ask.

Sometimes it’s asked with genuine curiosity.
Other times, with visible concern.

“How much freedom should children really have?”

What they are often asking is not about freedom at all.
They are asking about chaos.

They are wondering:

• What if children choose nothing?

• What if they make a mess?

• What if the room feels loud or disorganized?

• What if I lose control?

These are understandable fears—especially for teachers coming from environments where order is maintained through constant direction and correction.

But in Montessori, freedom is not the absence of limits.

Freedom is something children grow into.

Montessori freedom exists within a carefully prepared environment. It is supported by clear expectations, consistent routines, and meaningful work. Children are not left to wander aimlessly; they are invited into purposeful activity.

True freedom, in this sense, is the freedom to:

• concentrate

• repeat work

• choose responsibly

• develop self-discipline over time

 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