Wall Street Journal:
The Montessori Mafia
Ironically, the Montessori educational approach
might be the surest route to joining the creative
elite, which are so overrepresented by the school’s
alumni that one might suspect a Montessori Mafia.
The Christian Science Monitor:
Maria Montessori and 10 famous
graduates from her schools
Maria Montessori stands in
many ways as the mother of alternative education.
The Italian physician and teacher invented a new
kind of school, one with self-directed learning,
classrooms with mixed age groups, and no grades.
Now, on what would have been her 142 birthday,
thousands of schools bear her name. These Montessori
schools have some very famous alumni, many of which
credit the free-flowing classes with teaching them
to think differently and allowing them to change the
world.
Will Wright: Creator
of computer simulation games—SimCity, The Sims, &
Spore
Will Wright experienced the joy of discovery as a
child in Montessori elementary school. He
appreciates the way Montessori teaching methods and
materials are designed to help children “understand
deep principles of life and nature through play.”
Maya Angelou: Writer,
world-renowned humanitarian, Montessori parent
A lifelong self-directed learner,
Maya Angelou
is a poet, educator, journalist, historian, dancer,
best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil
rights activist, producer, and director who
tirelessly encourages others to develop the best
that is in them. It isn’t surprising that she became
a Montessori parent.
