Elon Musk opens a Montessori school!
A few months ago, the montessorian community was stirred by news from overseas: Elon Musk is opening a Montessori school. The school in Austin is intended to fit into Musk's vision of the future of education. According to declarations, the „Ad Astra” school aims to foster the scientific, technological and engineering development of children, in the spirit of Montessori pedagogy, of course.
Montessori and modern technologies
Yes, Montessori, math and modern technology go hand in hand. Even if early in life, it is best for children to focus on analog, not digital, activities. It is in this way that they can build a deep, multi-sensory understanding of mathematics. And it is mathematics that governs modern technology. Maria Montessori had an exact mind, having graduated from engineering school herself before studying medicine, and she loved math. In any Montessori institution, the queen of sciences is taken very seriously, and children are introduced to mathematical concepts and ideas much earlier and more extensively than in conventional education. Musk seems to understand perfectly that the Montessori method, known for its individual approach and for developing creativity and the courage to think and act in children, is ideal for shaping the thinkers and activists of the future. The approach of a good Montessori institution focuses on educating children who are courageous in their thinking and who will easily find their way in the world of the future: a world of technology and innovation, as well as myriad challenges, including climate challenges.
There's a reason the Montessori method is extremely popular in Silicon Valley, and many technology pioneers, such as the founders of Google, the founder of Amazon and PayPal, began their educational journey in this system. Famous graduates of Montessori schools or kindergartens, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Jimmy Wales are sometimes referred to in the US press as the ‚Montessori mafia.’
The „Ad Astra” school will be open to children between the ages of 3 and 9. Musk, like other technology leaders, seems to believe that such an education model will best prepare new generations for future challenges in the rapidly changing world of science and technology.
Montessori for the future, Montessori for your child
If Austin is a bit too far for you, we invite you to learn about Montessori pedagogy on our home ground. In Poland we have a really large group of educated, dedicated teachers, directors and lecturers. Polish institutions have nothing to be ashamed of, and the first ones were established right after the fall of the previous system.
Our Montessori conferences attract the best speakers from all over the world, and we have the opportunity to learn from prominent researchers and education practitioners, which we are delighted to do. Feel free to contact us. See for yourself if your child can benefit from a system of education that has more than 100 years of tradition behind it, while perfectly meeting the challenges of the future.
